The Iowa Department for the Blind is delighted to announce that Shawn Mayo has been hired as the new director of the  Orientation Center.  Shawn will assume her new responsibility on May 5.

Shawn earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Missouri State University in 1999 and she obtained a BS degree from Bradley University in 1995.

Shawn comes to us with a wealth of experience.  Prior to her current part time work as a Policy Analyst with IDB, Shawn worked for Blind Inc. in Minneapolis.  She began her career there in September of 2000, and she served as the Executive Director of that organization from October of 2003, to December of 2013. During her tenure at Blind Inc., Shawn increased the average number of students served and doubled the organization’s annual income as well as the  operating budget. Shawn developed several training programs that received national recognition and the center’s emphasis on generating successful employment outcomes helped blind individuals around the nation go to work.

Shawn has established an excellent track record in the blindness field and her outstanding leadership skills will prove to be a tremendous asset to the agency as we work to help blind Iowans increase independence and secure employment.  Please join us in welcoming Shawn to IDB.