Management Team
Pam Brandin, Executive Director, MPA
Pam has been Executive Director of Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired since 1994 and was the Director of Development here for the five previous years. She holds a Masters of Public Administration from College of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Stanford University. Pam is on the board of the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits as well as the Stanford Historical Society. She recently served as chair of the national VisionServe Alliance board and completed terms on the Stanford Alumni Association and Junior League of Palo Alto*Midi-Peninsula boards of directors. Pam has previously been president of the Palo Alto Rotary Club, chair of the boards of the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits, YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula and Family Service Mid-Peninsula, and president of the Junior League of Palo Alto-Mid Peninsula.
Sharon Hudson, Associate Director M.A., COMS, CVRT
Sharon has been a Rehabilitation Specialist for the Blind and Visually Impaired for 25 years. She received her MA at Western Michigan University in 1983 as a Rehabilitation Teacher for the Blind. Then in 1990, she worked full time and attended San Francisco State University to receive her teaching credential as an Orientation and Mobility Instructor. Sharon is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT). She was named Associate Director in 2008.
Jo Jaros, Supervisor of Social Services, L.C.S.W.
Jo has worked at Vista Center for 15 years as a social worker. Prior to coming here, she worked as a social worker at several hospitals including Kaiser Rehabilitation Center in Vallejo, Children’s Hospital Oakland, Hillhaven Convalescent Hospital, El Camino Hospital, and Stanford Hospital. Jo has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College and a Master’s in Social Welfare (Social Work) from University of California at Berkeley. She is a licensed clinical social worker.
Aaron Jones, Controller, CPA
Aaron has been a part of Vista Center since 2008. As the organization’s Controller she brings years of experience running both her own accounting services firm as well as working for accounting companies in California and Colorado. She also spent three years working for the Internal Revenue Service. Aaron earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University.
Susan Kokores, Director of Development
Susan has been Director of Development for Vista Center for the last two years. For the previous six years, she was both the New Business Development Manager and the Major Gifts Director for United Way Silicon Valley. Susan brings with her the experience of working with major donors, donor societies and donor circles having developed and managed several in her previous position. She has always volunteered in her local community and schools having been the Co-President of the Castilleja School Association, a former Trustee of Castilleja School, and recently Co-Founder of a local women's donor circle, WANDA. She graduated with a BS in Nursing from University of California San Francisco Medical Center and received her MPA from San Jose State University. Susan finds many rewarding aspects of her current position through working with the many dedicated volunteers, and donors and through creating legacy opportunities for supporters to insure that Vista Center is a community asset for generations to come!
Paul Raskin, Supervisor of Teaching Services
Paul supervises our teaching staff. He received his post-graduate degrees in blind rehabilitation from Western Michigan University and San Francisco State University. Beyond managing our instructional services, he regularly teaches braille, communication skills, orientation & mobility, adapted diabetes and medical self-management, and daily living skills. Approaching his 25th anniversary as a member of Vista Center’s rehab team, Paul continues to be inspired by the courage of our neighbors who are adjusting to vision loss, and he remains deeply dedicated to Vista’s mission.
Garlyn Serame, Director of Clinic Services
Garlyn has worked in our Low Vision Clinic since 1996 and has been involved in the optical field for over 20 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Health Care Administration from San Jose State University and is also a certified Optician. She oversees the day-to-day operations, strategic planning, insurance billing and HIPAA compliance for both of our clinics. The most rewarding aspect of her job is knowing that we offer our clients the opportunity to regain their capacity to enjoy a task that they thought was unfeasible.