Dennis Zehner
Improving Lives Through Insight and Action | Executive Director and CEO at Sights for Hope
- Role
- Executive Director and CEO at Sights For Hope
- Location
- Allentown, PA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Dennis Zehner
My Professional Mission: To improve lives through insight and action.“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
Experience
Executive Director and CEO
Jul 2020 — Present · Allentown, PA, US
Sights for Hope is a nonprofit organization that empowers people to maximize their potential however they see the world. It equips people who are blind or have visual impairments with the skills, supports, and solutions needed to overcome barriers and pursue opportunities. It identifies vision problems in young children, connects families with eye care, and promotes healthy habits that protect eyesight. By strengthening access to services and improving early literacy outcomes, Sights for Hope also helps reduce the broader social impacts of vision loss. Founded in response to a challenge by Helen Keller, Sights for Hope has served Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley since 1928 and Monroe County since 2003. Key Results as Executive Director• Originated and led the organization\'s strategic rebranding as Sights for Hope and the most comprehensive promotional campaign in the organization’s modern history.• Revitalized and realigned the organization’s mission, values, and strategic focus to drive greater impact and clarity.• Generated a 60% increase in annual private contributions, including a 186% increase in standard contributions, and a 62% increase in annual program contract revenue. Improved annual donor retention rate to more than 20% greater than the national average of 43%.• Developed the Focused Futures partnerships to leverage regional partnerships to provide children ages 0-6 with eye exams and glasses.
Education
Duke University
Certificate, Nonprofit Management
2022
Cornell University
Graduate Certificate, Marketing Strategy
2017
Lehigh University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Journalism
1995 — 1999
Skills
- Advertising
- Grant Writing
- Leadership
- Publishing
- Event Planning
- Social Networking
- Social Media Marketing
- Press Releases
- Communication
- Research
- Publications
- Public Relations
- Internal Communications
- Media Relations
- Marketing
- Proposal Writing
- Strategic Planning
- Nonprofits
- Content Writing
- Fundraising
- Marketing Strategy
- Corporate Communications
- Public Speaking
- Event Management
- Crisis Communications
- Writing
- Online Marketing
- Content Development
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Copywriting
- Journalism
- Social Media
- Strategic Communications
- Non-Profits
- Marketing Communications
- Editing
- Newsletters
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