David Tabak. M.A.
Executive Director
David has been in nonprofit management for 17 years, with the last 10 at the Guild. David is the Guild's chief executive officer and oversees the Guild's programs, fundraising and administration with a goal of providing superior services to as many people with vision loss as possible. David is currently the Vice President of Development at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston and also chairs its long-range planning committee. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at North Park University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management. David is the founder of the C(3)EO Forum, an organization that supports the chief executive officers of non-profit organizations.
David was drawn to the Guild by our mission of changing people's lives. "People with vision loss are just that, people who cannot see. Beyond that, nothing has been taken from them. There is so much they can accomplish if they believe in themselves and their abilities. If we do nothing else, we remind them of that fact." David has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Literatures from Brandeis University and a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from The University of Chicago.
Polly Abbott, CVRT, OMS
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Polly oversees all the Guild's service programs. She enjoys sharing her expertise with our members, helping them find practical solutions to the problems that come with vision loss. She has seen how learning adaptive techniques and compensatory skills can give a person back the sense that they are in control of their life, rather than being controlled by circumstances.
"I feel like the Guild changes lives anytime someone takes the information, the training or the referral to another agency and uses it. I think this is especially apparent when we share information that no one has ever taken the time to share with them before. We spend a lot of time explaining how other agencies work, why it is important to get a low vision exam, why orientation and mobility training really is worth the time, and how little changes can have a huge impact. Many of our workshops really are dedicated to sharing our knowledge and helping people connect with others to share what they know."
Polly has an Hon. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education degree as an Instructor for Blind and Visually Impaired—Rehabilitation and Orientation and Mobility. She is a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) and an Orientation and Mobility Specialist (OMS). Return to top
Kathy Austin
Associate Manager of Rehabilitation Services
Kathy coordinates the marketing and community outreach for Guild services and assists in the program development. As volunteer coordinator, she oversees over 30 Guild volunteers who assist in the delivery of Guild programs and services. Kathy is also the editor of the Guild's monthly newsletter, Guild Briefs. She sees her work as a natural fit with her previous career experience and college education, combining marketing, business administration and her own vision loss. She loves brainstorming with the staff to develop programs and workshops, putting them into action and hearing the positive responses from our members. Kathy sees our small size as an advantage — we have the capability of responding quickly to the needs of our members and it is very rewarding to watch their progress in achieving their goals.
"I received a phone call from a woman who was looking for some resources to help her adjust to her diminishing vision. She lives in a slightly rural area where access to resources is limited. Coincidently, we were holding a New Visions workshop near her home and she attended the program. She was so excited she also attended a sighted guide workshop at the Guild with her husband. We also talked extensively about the possibility of using a guide dog as a mobility option. She is now on her way to guide dog school and will be home soon with a new way of traveling. Because of our community approach with our New Visions program, this person was able to access some services in her area and continued on to be an independent traveler."
Kathy coordinates a group of guide dog users who train Chicago taxi drivers on access issues, is a member of the Windy City Alumni Chapter for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and is a member of the Senior Advisory Committee for the Village of Homewood. Kathy has completed the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program and shares this knowledge through the Guild's gardening workshops. Kathy earned her Bachelor of General Studies degree from Roosevelt University. Return to top
Lauri Dishman, LCPC
Manager of Counseling Services
Lauri is a licensed counselor and provides both career and adjustment counseling to our members in individual and group settings. She feels participation in adjustment counseling will often better prepare our members for career counseling and other Guild services, as well as improve the outcome of these services.
Lauri loves being an integral part of the shift in clients’ attitudes, building their self-esteem and supporting them as they become more active in life.
"At Sandra's first session, she presented me with a weak resume that someone else had typed. It reflected many years of experience in Office Management for two prominent Ophthalmologists in the Chicago area, but that was about it. Our goal was to review each task Sandra did and thoroughly flush out her professional background. We uncovered numerous successes and achievements and drafted a more accomplishments-based resume. This process also built Sandra’s confidence that she had “something to offer.” It was this self confidence that enabled her to approach one of her own doctors about a job. The good news is: she got it!”
Lauri is a adjunct professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she teaches career development and counseling. She was recognized as a "most promising educator" in 2009. Lauri is president of the Illinois Career Development Assocation. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunication from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Organizational Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Lauri is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Return to top
David Flament, M.S.
Manager of Adaptive Technology Services
David is the lead instructor for all the Guild's training classes and workshops on adaptive technology. He loves technology and wants to share his passion — he finds working with our members as the most rewarding part of his job. David's teaching philosophy follows an old Chinese proverb: "Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself." He will do his best to help students understand the materials and he expects them to do their best to learn.
"People like Isaak demonstrate the strength of this philosophy. I remember Isaak asking if his wife could attend classes with him to help interpret my instructions. Not only was he working with vision loss, but he also had a language barrier to cross. He really wanted to learn and would not let anything stop him."
David has a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Science in Computer Science from Northeastern Illinois University. Return to top
Brian Hollandsworth
Coordinator, Consumer Product Center
Brian works with our members who come in to learn about the daily living aids that are available to help make their lives easier. He first came to the Guild to hear about our services and then began volunteering in the product center and our accounting department.
"I didn't choose this career, it chose me. After I had volunteered for about six months I was offered a full-time position — a life-changing job opportunity."
Brian enjoys working one-on-one with our members, helping them find the right magnifier to fit their need — seeing a smile on their face when the right magnifier allows them to read print for the first time since their vision loss. He loves working with all the seniors who come in to the Guild — offering support, understanding their frustration and helping them feel better about their vision loss. Return to top
Cheryl Megurdichian, CFRE
Director of Development and Communications
Cheryl oversees the fund-raising and communications for the Guild. She enjoys matching the needs of our members with our donors' desire to make the world a better place. She enjoys the opportunity to interact with the different people who help to make the Guild unique — donors, board members, staff, volunteers and members.
“The Guild's size allows me to have many opportunities I would miss at a larger organization. I not only get to know the donors, I get to interact with all the great people we serve. So I can see the impact of my work on a daily basis — there is nothing more rewarding than that."
Cheryl is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive, a member of the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals, and a board member of the Chicago Central Lions Club. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Communication from DePaul University and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. Return to top
