Savannah CBLV Team

Lois is a 30 year veteran of non-profit management, spending 12 years as Director of Development for the Southeast Division of the American Cancer Society and another 11 years as National Director of Development for the Arthritis Foundation in Atlanta. After commuting for 15 years she was more than ready to come home to Savannah in 2012 where she took the position as Executive Director for the Center. Lois majored in management and has a vast history of retail management, social services and volunteer programming. “The greatest thing about my job is being able to help people gain the confidence to improve their lives. Our motto , We may have lost our sight but NEVER our Vision, says it all about what we do here at the Center.”

Anika Futch is a Savannah Native. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Georgia Southern University and obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Savannah State University. Anika currently works for Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision where she serves at the Director of Services and Social Services Coordinator. She has experience working in social services, non profits, and volunteering. A rising scholar and student of life, Anika is committed to serving disadvantaged youth and adults, including homeless, disabled, and special-needs populations.

Leslie Lambert is a native of Tennessee and has more than 20 years of experience in the Public Relations/Communications field with companies such as State Farm Insurance, Haverty’s Furniture, etc. She joined the organization in August 2014 and has been a bright star every since. In her experiences, she has worked with local state and community leaders, law enforcement, and safety organizations to build relationships and support for local non-profits, and organizations like the Governor’s Highway Safety Office. Her greatest passion is people and making a difference in the local community.

Cecilia Emery, a native from Ohio, has more than 35 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist working in adult and child rehabilitation. She has provided services for various diagnostic populations in a variety of settings which include: in/outpatient rehabilitation; school based therapy services; Driver rehabilitation and pre-vocational skills. Cecilia has served as a Rehabilitation Clinical Coordinator and has participated in program development and marketing of Occupational Therapy services. Cecilia’s background working on the Neuro-Vision and Low Vision teams while in outpatient rehabilitation made her realize her passion for providing services for client’s in this Savannah area. Cecilia believes that an individualized client centered approach brings about the best results to help clients achieve mastery of skills and independence. Cecilia is happy to be a Buckeye transplant in the great state of Georgia and proud to be part of the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision team.

Dr. Emerson Brown is the Director of Low Vision Services for the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision. He received his OD in 1978, with a specialty in Low Vision. Dr. Brown has spent twenty-nine years in practice, in addition to being the physician serving clients through the Coastal Low Vision Center at the Center. He’s an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and several local civic associations. In his spare time, Dr. Brown is an avid fisherman and has the title, “The Grouper.”

Originally from California, Dean was an adaptive ski instructor for people with visual impairments with Discovery Blind Sports in South Lake Tahoe. He spent 3 summers at Camp Bloomfield with Junior Blind of America, bringing the camping experience to hundreds of individuals with visual impairments. Dean studied Visual Disabilities at Florida State University and Deaf-Blind studies through Northern Illinois University at the Helen-Keller National Center. He taught orientation and mobility and vision rehabilitation in Florida the Washington D.C. area and participated in helping to organize the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA). Dean is also a member of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI), National Federation of the Blind (NFB), American Council of the Blind (ACB), and the Lions Club. You can find Dean all over the city, laughing and having a great time at events throughout the community.

Jessica serves as Low Vision Coordinator, supporting individuals by connecting them with resources and accommodations that promote independence and success. Since joining SCBLV, she has brought a strong foundation in healthcare, supported by a certification in Medical Assisting and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Healthcare Management. Her mission is to advocate for accessibility, provide meaningful support, and ensure that visual challenges never limit potential.

Cat is an Occupational Therapist specializing in low vision rehabilitation at the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision. Cat completed three years of undergraduate study at Armstrong State University, where she majored in Rehabilitation Sciences and developed a strong foundation in patient-centered care and functional rehabilitation. Cat then went on to earn her Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from Augusta University.

Cat began her professional career working in pediatrics, where she gained valuable experience addressing developmental needs, adaptive strategies, and family-centered interventions. This early work strengthened her ability to individualize care and creatively problem-solve to help clients achieve meaningful goals.

Cat is passionate about helping individuals with visual impairments maximize independence, safety, and quality of life. She is committed to empowering clients through evidence-based interventions, adaptive techniques, and compassionate care to support participation in daily activities and community engagement.

Fionna Mahoney is an Orientation and Mobility Specialist and a Certified Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Originally from New Jersey, she pursued her education at Florida State University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s degree as a Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired and her Master’s degree as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist.

Fionna began her career working with children before transitioning to work primarily with adults at the Savannah Center. While her current role focuses on supporting adults, she continues to work with children as well, helping individuals who are blind or visually impaired build safety, confidence, and independence.

Fionna is passionate about empowering individuals through skill development, problem-solving, and confidence-building. She believes in providing the right balance of support and challenge to help individuals develop safe, effective, and meaningful independence

Kaleena Coyle is a passionate advocate for the visually impaired community, dedicated to empowering individuals with visual impairments to live full, independent, and meaningful lives. She began her career serving as a Case Manager and Employment Specialist with the Division of Blind Services in Miami, Florida, where she developed a strong foundation in vocational rehabilitation and client advocacy.

In 2013, Kaleena moved to Savannah, Georgia, and joined the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision (SCBLV) as the Low Vision and Social Service Coordinator. In this role, she supported clients in accessing critical resources, building independence, and strengthening community connections.

After spending five years as a devoted stay-at-home mom to her two daughters, Arianna and Brianna, Kaleena returned to SCBLV in 2022. She now serves as the Employment Specialist and Special Events Coordinator, where she combines her professional expertise with her passion for service, helping clients achieve employment goals while fostering community engagement and support for the organization’s mission.

Kaleena holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida International University. Deeply committed to making a meaningful difference each day, she continues to be a strong advocate and compassionate leader within the Savannah community.