Leadership

Dimitri Kales

Chief Executive Officer

Dimitri Kales has a big heart for helping people – and bringing them together. Since December 2022, he’s served as CEO of the Braille Institute of America, one of the world’s leading organizations for people with blindness and vision loss. Braille Institute helps more than 40,000 people annually, providing a wide range of free programs and services to help them live independently.

For 15 years before that, Dimitri was the President and CEO of Aspire, a major Chicago nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities. Under his leadership, the organization grew its mission and was honored with numerous awards, including being named a “Best and Brightest Place to Work in the U.S.” seven times. He’s also served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lake County and as Director of Communications for the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

Dimitri graduated from Bucknell University with honors, and has a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

While born in Santa Monica, he spent most of his life on the East Coast and the Midwest. So, Dimitri is delighted to be back in California and loves hiking in the SoCal hills around Braille Institute’s seven regional centers.

Debra J. Martin

Chief Operating Officer & CFO

Debra Martin brings more than 25 years of nonprofit finance and operational leadership experience in higher education. She has held senior leadership positions at NYU School of Law, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Loyola Law School, and Mount Saint Mary’s University.

Before joining Braille Institute, Debra served as Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where she oversaw operations across two campuses, managed an annual operating budget of more than $125 million, and stewarded a $160 million endowment.

Throughout her career, Debra has worked collaboratively with community and government stakeholders and previously held a gubernatorial appointment to the California Educational Facilities Authority Board. She is deeply committed to nonprofit service, having served on the Board of Directors of Verbum Dei High School for more than 15 years, and currently serves on several nonprofit audit committees.

Originally from Massachusetts, Debra has called Los Angeles home since 2000. She lives with her husband Geoff in Pasadena. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Rhode Island while working at KPMG early in her career. Outside of work, Debra enjoys skiing, golfing, biking, and spending time in Maui.

Allison Burdett

Chief Program Officer

Allison Burdett is a seasoned leader with more than 15 years of experience within non-profit disability services.  Most recently, she oversaw programs throughout California as Vice President of Visual Impairment and Developmental Disability Services at Wayfinder Family Services. She has worked throughout her career to advocate for people of all ages with disabilities and has developed a wide array of programs to support individuals across sectors including transportation, healthcare, rehabilitation, education, adaptive sports and recreation, workforce development, and child welfare.  She has served as a board member for the California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the California Association of Private Special Education Schools. 

Allison holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Westmont College.  She is also a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist with the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) and holds a Rehabilitative Services credential.  Allison hails from Southern California and enjoys volunteering with her local community garden, spending time with family, and traveling.   

Scott Blanks

Vice President, Accessibility and Employment

Scott Blanks is a leader in the blindness field with over 15 years of experience in nonprofit program development, including at the LightHouse for the Blind in San Francisco. There, he led an employment program with a 38% placement rate for blind and low vision participants. A longtime Access Technology Specialist, Scott is passionate about using technology to empower blind individuals.

An advocate for people with disabilities, he has chaired the Oakland Mayor’s Commission on Disability and the AC Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee and served on the board of Walk San Francisco.

Scott is returning to Braille, having benefited from Anaheim Center services in his youth. He is excited to join the leadership team of an organization that played a key role in his formative years. He is the proud father of twin boys Zach and Eliot. Scott enjoys exploring restaurants, trekking across southern California beaches, playing guitar, and attending Anaheim Ducks hockey games.

Lisa Jimenez

Vice President, Programs and Services

Lisa Jimenez has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing the mission of Braille Institute and improving the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Throughout her tenure, she has held a variety of leadership roles, beginning as a counselor supporting students and their families before advancing to positions including Educational Programs Coordinator, Regional Manager, Executive Director, and now Vice President of Programs and Services.

Lisa oversees program strategy and operations for six regional centers serving Anaheim, Laguna Hills, Coachella Valley, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. Her extensive experience across direct services and executive leadership provides a deep understanding of community needs and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, life-changing programs.

Beyond Braille Institute, Lisa has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to community leadership, serving as a Board Member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, President of the Women Leaders Forum at the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Leadership Coachella Valley (2013–2014).

Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Illinois State University, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of California, Riverside.

Sandy Shin

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Sandy Shin brings more than 25 years of marketing and communications leadership experience with globally recognized organizations, including IBM, Disney, Southern California Edison, UCLA, and USC. She has led integrated marketing and communications strategies that leverage both traditional and digital channels to strengthen brand awareness, elevate organizational reputation, and deepen audience engagement.

Throughout her career, Sandy has developed comprehensive marketing campaigns, overseen brand management initiatives, and enhanced the customer experience across every stage of the constituent journey.

She earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A Southern California native, Sandy brings a deep understanding of the region’s diverse communities and a passion for connecting organizations with the people they serve.

Maria Valdivia

Vice President, Technology and Customer Solutions

Since joining Braille Institute in 1991, Maria Valdivia has led the organization’s technology strategy with a clear vision: to expand access and deliver a seamless customer experience for individuals with low vision. As Vice President of Technology and Customer Solutions, she oversees Braille Institute’s enterprise technology, cybersecurity, cloud and mobile platforms, data analytics strategy, and the design of customer-centered solutions that improve accessibility and service delivery.

Maria has modernized the institute’s core infrastructure, centralized business operations, and implemented digital tools that support virtual services and new pathways for clients to engage with programs. She also established Braille Institute’s cybersecurity awareness program, significantly reducing risk and building a culture of digital safety across the organization.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Computer Methods from California State University, Long Beach. She enjoys time with her family, travel, and exploring new technology that creates inclusive, accessible experiences.