Jeff Todd
CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness announced that Jeff Todd has been named as its new president and CEO, effective April 1. Todd will succeed current president and CEO, Hugh R. Parry, after his retirement from the organization. Parry has served in the role since 2002. Todd joined Prevent Blindness in 2003 as director of public health and later served as chief operating officer where he oversaw the mission-based work of Prevent Blindness, focusing on program outreach, education, public health and policy.

Some of his accomplishments at Prevent Blindness include: establishing the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness; launching the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit; coordinating and publishing data-based vision research, including reports on the prevalence of adult eye disease and the financial impact of vision problems on the U.S. economy; and overseeing the group’s national advocacy efforts, including the annual Eyes on Capitol Hill patient fly-in.

As president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, Todd will continue to build on these efforts, working closely with a dedicated staff, a strong network of state-based affiliates, and an expanding number of partner organizations, a statement from Prevent Blindness stated.

“Advancing equitable access to health care is essential to a healthy and productive society,” Todd said. “I’m proud of the work Prevent Blindness does in this space. And what’s unique about our work in eye health is how it also touches heavily on education, employment and independence. Prevent Blindness has been a powerful patient advocate for sight since 1908. I’m honored to be able to lead this organization into its next chapter.”

Todd began his career in the Governor's Office of the State of Indiana, where he coordinated a statewide community-development initiative supporting county-level health and safety interventions. He later moved to positions with the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Youth as Resources, engaging young people in matters that impact their communities, and the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, overseeing information dissemination aimed at reducing rates of youth violence.