Meet Our Director: Stacy Cervenka

A woman stands outdoors in front of a large white building with tall columns. She is wearing a black dress with a belt, carries a black bag over her shoulder, and holds a long white cane.

I want to begin by expressing how honored and excited I am to step into the role of Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind. This agency has played a pivotal role in the field of blindness rehabilitation and I’m eager to build upon its remarkable legacy as we embark on our second century of serving blind and low vision Iowans.

About Me

I have been blind since birth due to optic nerve hypoplasia. As a client of the Illinois Bureau of Blind Services and a graduate of the Louisiana Center for the Blind, I’ve experienced firsthand how transformative quality services can be. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in French and Italian from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University.

Professionally, I spent five years as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Sam Brownback. I then served as the Youth Programs Coordinator at the Sacramento Society for the Blind. At the California Department of Rehabilitation, I worked as a Government Program Analyst and later became Executive Officer for the California State Rehabilitation Council. I served as the Director of Public Policy for the American Foundation for the Blind and, most recently, as the Senior Director of Policy for RespectAbility, a national cross-disability rights organization.

Outside of work, my husband Greg and I have two children, Leo and Josephine. We enjoy traveling as a family and shepherding our children around to endless activities! We are currently in the process of relocating from Lincoln, Nebraska to Des Moines, and look forward to becoming part of the community here. Until recently, I also figure skated on an adult synchronized skating team and competed in adult singles.

Values

I believe that blind people are capable of far more than society often expects, and I believe our agency should reflect that. We’re here to help all blind and low-vision Iowans live full, self-directed lives.  

Some of the values that will guide my decision-making include:

  1. Informed consumer choice
  2. Equitable services for all blind Iowans
  3. Diligent and quality work
  4. High expectations for ourselves and those we serve

Looking Ahead

In my first few months, I’ll be focused on:

  1. Ensuring our programs and resources are fully utilized and responsive to consumer needs
  2. Expanding equitable access to services for all blind Iowans, regardless of geographical location, additional disabilities, or life circumstances
  3. Equipping staff with the training necessary to serve blind Iowans who are neurodiverse, have additional disabilities, or have mental health needs