Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders with expertise in a wide range of areas, including Optometry, Insurance, Business, Education, and Accounting. The Board meets regularly. It is responsible for taking care of the strategic and financial health of the organization on an ongoing basis. 

Board Members

Christine Myers

Christine Myers

Co-Founder; President

Profile

Christine is the Co-Founder of the Visual Bucket List Foundation along with her husband Steven. The foundation was formed because of their daughter, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Myers, who was diagnosed at the age of 5 with Usher Syndrome 2A. Usher Syndrome is the leading cause of deaf-blindness. When they received the diagnosis, they created a “visual bucket list” for Lizzy. Because of the outpouring of support and love of others and the gifts they received, they decided they wanted to pay it forward and bless other children who are losing their sight due to a medical condition.

Christine is the CFO/Vice-President of Hamilton Insurance Group, Inc. and is involved in many organizations such as The Mansfield Rotary, Junior Achievement, and many school related activities for her girls. She has her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in School Leadership and Supervision.

Steve Myers

Steve Myers

Co-Founder

Profile

Steven Myers graduated from Madison High School and continued his education at Ashland University before joining the United States Air Force. During his time in the Air Force, he attended the Community College of the Air Force. He is a Gulf War Veteran.

Steven has worked in the labor movement or over 16 years and attended the Harvard Business School. He has dedicated himself to helping others.

Steven is responsible for the vision, strategy and fundraising efforts for the Visual Bucket List Foundation. With many successful fundraising campaigns under his belt and the many children he has helped receive wishes, Steve has gained the wisdom, skills and talent to further the mission of the foundation as it expands beyond the borders of Ohio. He hopes to someday make a global impact.

Cassandra Parente

Cassandra Parente

Board Member

Profile

Passionate about the way people communicate, Cassandra Parente joined the Visual Bucket List Foundation in support of their mission of enabling children with visual impairments to see and interact with the world around them.

After earning her PhD in English from Texas Christin University, Parente worked with diverse students, teaching them to communicate effectively verbally, textually, and digitally in a variety of genres. She also worked with students beyond the classroom in writing centers, internship sites, community projects, and ESL support services. In addition to teaching, Parente also held several administrative roles at The Ohio State University, Marion & Mansfield Campuses. She not only teaches, but also writes in multiple genres, having published scholarship, poetry, reviews, and creative non-fiction.

Parente resides with her husband Matt Richlovsky in Mansfield, OH where her two children attend St. Peter’s School where Parente serves in multiple volunteer roles.

Derek Fike

Derek Fike

Board Member

Profile

Derek Fike, CPA is excited to join the Visual Bucket List Foundation and looks forward to supporting founders Steve and Christine Myers in furthering their efforts to provide special experiences to children with visual impairments.

Since graduating with his Bachelors of Science in Accounting from The Ohio State University, Derek has worked in public accounting for 20 years and is currently a partner at the Mansfield, Ohio based CPA firm Kleshinski, Morrision & Morris, LLP. He works primarily with family owned businesses and non-profit organizations providing a variety of accounting, tax, planning and wealth management services.

Derek resides in Galion with his wife Jody and daughter Kelsie. He enjoys reading, golfing, traveling and spending time with his family and friends. He also serves on the Board of The Landers Foundation and contributes to various other charitable and professional organizations. 

Dr. Jon Skarie

Dr. Jon Skarie

Board Member

Profile

Jonathan M. Skarie MD PhD is a Board Certified ophthalmologist and fellowship trained glaucoma specialist, practicing as an ophthalmic surgeon at Ohio Eye Associates since 2017.

Dr. Skarie earned his MD and PhD degrees at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Prior to joining Ohio Eye Associates, he worked at UW-Madison serving as a glaucoma and cataract specialist, educator,and research scientist.

His specialty interests include cataract/implant surgery and all aspects of glaucoma medical, laser and surgical care.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Skarie has a Visiting Scientist appointment at the Cole Eye Center at The Cleveland Clinic where he is continuing to pursue his interests in glaucoma basic science and ophthalmology education.

Dr. Skarie moved to the area with his wife, Emily Exten MD, who is a native of Mansfield, and their two young daughters. He is excited to be able to provide specialty glaucoma and cataract care to the Mansfield area.

Nicole Feilon

Nicole Feilon

Board Member

Profile

Nicole Feilon was thrilled to be asked to become a board member for the visual bucket list because of their mission. She loves children and loves to help leave an impact on their lives. This is exactly what the Visual Bucket List is all about. 

Nicole was born and raised on her family farm in Fredericktown, Ohio. She attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University for her undergraduate studies  and went on to complete her Juris Doctor at Capital University Law School. 

Nicole is the owner of Nicole Feilon, Attorney at Law, LLC located in Bellville, Ohio. The areas of focus within her practice are: agricultural law, business law, elder law, estate planning and administration, landlord-tenant law, and real estate law. 

When Nicole is not helping clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Jared and daughter, Ila on their farm.

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Contact Info

Call Us

(419) 405-7396
Available 9am – 5pm EST

Office

1669 Lexington
Avenue Suite B
Mansfield, OH 44907

EIN

81-3462738