As we enter the new year, we are pleased to welcome four new members to the Council’s Board of Directors. Each of our new board members brings unique experiences and backgrounds that will help the Council reach people who are blind or low vision from across all of Wisconsin.
“The Board is pleased to welcome our four new members,” says Board Member Chip Kaufman, who chairs the Nominating Committee. “Not only is this a larger incoming class, but one of our more diverse. We are excited to have their unique experiences and voices added to our Board, and we will all benefit greatly from working with them. It is a very exciting time to be working with the Council and moving our mission forward.”
Elizabeth Fryseth of La Crosse brings years of experience in local advocacy work to the Board. Elizabeth has worked tirelessly with local officials on issues that include pedestrian safety, guide dog awareness, and personal safety. Her strong commitment to advocacy makes Elizabeth a great fit for our Board in supporting the hard work that lies ahead.
Elizabeth has served on multiple boards and committees operating in western Wisconsin, including the La Crosse Area Transit Advocates, the Disability Action Network, the Independent Living Resources Board and her local Lions Club. In 2023 she was awarded the La Crosse YWCA Outstanding Woman Award for Social Justice.
Madison resident Mikyla Mobley has worked with both Madison’s city government and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. A recent graduate of Edgewood College and former Council Scholarship recipient, Mikyla’s strong skills as an organizer make her a great fit for our Board. Mikyla helped start Madison West High School’s first Black Student Union and spent several years in leadership roles with Edgewood College’s Black Student Union.
Mikyla says her biggest motivation in her advocacy is helping people of color and people with disabilities. In her work with the Edgewood Black Student Union, she was able to build coalitions with other campus organizations to create unity and support across many different communities. Mikyla says she hopes to continue the work of reaching out to different communities in her role as a Council Board member, and we are excited to bring her experience into our ranks.
Sanbrita Mondal of Middleton is Chief of Vision Rehabilitation Services at UW Health in Madison, where she also works as a low vision optometrist. Sanbrita helped establish the first formal low vision clinic at UW Health in 2016, and has a strong, longstanding professional commitment to empowering people with vision loss in Wisconsin.
Sanbrita is also an adjunct associate professor and research scientist at UW-Madison, where she trains the next generation of ophthalmologists in the importance of vision rehabilitation services. Sanbrita’s passion to grow the world of vision services in Wisconsin makes her a valuable addition to our board.
Nycole Torres of Menomonee Falls brings a strong advocacy background to the Board through her work with the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. As the League’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Nycole works every day to make sure everyone’s voice can be heard.
In addition to welcoming these individuals to the board, it is also a time to say goodbye to our six outgoing board members. Thank you to Rhonda Staats, Sharon Knauf, Patty Slaby, Rebecca Arrowood, Chamomile Harrison, and Nat Tarnoff for their commitment and efforts in advancing the Council’s mission!
