By Caroline Miller, Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist
Helping to drive Eversight’s vision of one day seeing a world without blindness is a dedicated team of professionals, supporters and leaders navigating our organization forward. One of those individuals is Kathy Zelenock, chair of Eversight’s Board of Directors. With a legal background, a passion for service and a deep appreciation for the organization’s impact and culture, Kathy plays a key role in guiding Eversight’s strategic direction.
A leader with a passion for service
Kathy is an attorney with Dickinson Wright, where she chairs their real estate finance practice group. Throughout her career, she has been involved in numerous professional organizations, championing diversity in the legal field and supporting women in the profession. But beyond her career, Kathy is a proud mother and a lifelong Michigander, having attended the University of Michigan for undergrad before earning her law degree at Notre Dame Law School.
Her journey to Eversight was sparked by a personal connection.
“My parents were really good friends with the Lindenauers,” Kathy said. “Marilyn Lindenauer is a past CEO of Eversight, and at a point in time when the organization needed a little bit of legal help, she reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, I'd really like you to get involved in Eversight,’ and I did and it’s been great.”
That introduction has led to a fulfilling six-year tenure on the board, where Kathy has witnessed the organization’s evolution and growth.
“It’s one of those things where it's been a real blessing to me in my life to have become a part of this organization,” she said. “I actually need to send Marilyn Lindenauer another thank you note.”
Understanding the role of the board
Kathy describes the board of directors as a sounding board for big policy changes.
“The Eversight Board of Directors provides high-level guidance and issue analysis and support to the Eversight Leadership team,” she said. “I like to think of it as adjusting your sails on a big sailboat. The Leadership team has the rudder, they’re really doing the steering, but sometimes we can, as a board, take different life experiences and professional experiences and, not being directly involved in the day-to-day of Eversight, offer insights or suggestions that help shape where we’re going as an organization.”
One of Kathy’s key responsibilities is ensuring board meetings stay on track and focused on the most important discussions. But beyond governance, she sees herself as an enthusiastic advocate for Eversight’s mission.
“Sometimes I’m also a person who’s a cheerleader for Eversight, trying to assist with generating enthusiasm for the things that we are working on as an organization,” she said.
The Eversight Board of Directors forms the foundation of Eversight’s success, with the members sharing their diverse knowledge, experience and passion for helping others.
“Our board of directors is a very fun group from many different fields of professional accomplishment,” Kathy said. “I enjoy the members of our board from a sense of humor perspective and a sense of goodwill, a sense of really understanding the mission of Eversight and wanting to promote that.”
Not only does Kathy provide organizational and strategic leadership in her role as board chair, but she also meets regularly with members of Eversight’s Leadership team to offer thoughts and insights on the direction of the organization.
Inspired by innovation and impact
Kathy’s decision to serve on Eversight’s Board stemmed from a fascination with the organization’s mission and logistics.
Having been an entrepreneur herself, she recognized the complexity of Eversight’s operations and found it both intriguing and rewarding.
“All the logistical and mission-based considerations that go into Eversight's work were just really, really interesting to me,” she said. “It's been very fun to get to know all the dedicated people who work for Eversight. You talk to people in donor support, recovery, you know, the different folks who are working on different aspects of logistics, you talk to the doctors. It's fascinating. It's a fun organization to be a part of in a small way.”
Beyond the mechanics of the work, Kathy is deeply moved by the human impact of Eversight’s mission. She and her son have volunteered at a Michigan Donor Family Gathering, where they met and spoke with donor families firsthand.
“It really helps you understand the impact of the little increments that we do to make Eversight a better organization,” she said. “They have such an impact on people's lives, not only their vision but the use of their loved ones' gift. It’s really amazing. And it really drives you to want us to be the best organization possible.”
A community of dedicated people
For Kathy, one of the most rewarding aspects of her work with Eversight is the people.
“Interacting with the Leadership team, meeting people on the ground doing the day-to-day work—it’s been great to get to know my fellow board members as well,” she said.
The strength of the Eversight team is something she finds especially impressive.
“The Leadership team is top notch,” she said. “I'm always impressed with how prepared, how thoroughly the Leadership team knows the industry and how they're always thinking about ways to help improve.”
She notes that Eversight’s ability to balance innovation with creating a positive workplace culture is unique.
Looking ahead
Kathy’s term as board chair isn’t over yet, but she already knows she wants to remain involved with Eversight long after.
“I'm just so thankful, not only for the donor families and the donors, but for our whole team at Eversight,” she said. “The great work that we do, it really pays off. The hard work at Eversight has really been a direct line to a lot of success, and wow, is that gratifying to be a part of.”
As Kathy reflects on her time on the Eversight Board of Directors, she also looks forward to the opportunities to come, not just as a board member, but as a person dedicated to contributing to her community and making a difference in people’s lives.
“I know I only play a small part in it, but I celebrate it a lot,” Kathy said. “I think that it's a wonderful organization that's doing wonderful work, and I hope most everybody feels that way who's associated with Eversight. From the feedback that I get, I see that, and what a joy to be a part of an organization that has that much positive going in that direction.”
