National Nonprofit Executive Kimberly Zimmer Named President and CEO of Helen Keller Services

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - June 17, 2019 - PRLog -- Kimberly Zimmer, Goodwill Industries International Chief Marketing Officer & Senior Vice President, Global Affairs, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Helen Keller Services (HKS), a national nonprofit organization founded in 1893 comprised of Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) and Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC). Zimmer succeeds Joseph Bruno, who served as HKS President and Chief Executive Officer for three years and will continue at the organization as a consultant. The announcement was made by HKS Board Chairman Christopher Maher.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Kim to Helen Keller Services following a comprehensive national search that involved over 200 candidates demonstrating widely diverse backgrounds and experiences" observed Maher. "In addition to her impressive tenure at Goodwill Industries International, Kim has held several senior executive positions at organizations that provide far-reaching programs and services to blind individuals. We look forward to working with her to advance the goals and mission of Helen Keller Services. On behalf of the entire board, we also thank Joe for his many years of service and for providing guidance during the transition."

Zimmer brings more than 15 years leadership to her new CEO post in the social enterprise and not-for-profit sectors, working to improve organizational effectiveness and grow stakeholder awareness.

"I am honored to serve Helen Keller Services as President and CEO, said Zimmer. "The organization began 125 years ago when vocational training for the blind was still in its infancy. Today, through its two divisions, Helen Keller Services provides comprehensive services to individuals of all ages who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind or have combined hearing and vision loss. My career has been devoted to human service organizations that make a meaningful difference and I look forward to carrying on that tradition at Helen Keller Services."

Zimmer is committed to working with organizations that provide programs and services to assist people with disabilities and other challenges achieve independence and employment goals. Most recently she served as CMO and Senior Vice President at Goodwill Industries International (GII), a social enterprise that helps people reach their full potential through education, skills training and the power of work. In her senior leadership role, Zimmer oversaw efforts to positively impact Goodwill's global membership while leading international development initiatives.

Prior to GII, Zimmer's career was focused on organizations that provide programs and services to people who are blind. She served as Vice President, Corporate Communications, at National Industries for the Blind (NIB), a nonprofit with 88 associated agencies dedicated to employing people who are blind through federal contracting opportunities that provide valuable goods and services and functions as the nation's largest employment resource for people who are blind. Zimmer also served as Vice President of Communications and later Chief Operating Officer at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB), a Washington, DC, regional nonprofit dedicated to providing programs and services to people who are blind. In her communications capacity, she increased local, regional and national awareness of CLB and blindness related issues.

Zimmer holds a B.A. from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and serves on several social services boards in addition to the Fairfax County (VA) Public Library Foundation.

Helen Keller Services' mission is to enable individuals who are blind, visually-impaired, deaf-blind and/or have combined hearing-vision loss to live, work and thrive in their community of choice. HKS offers services and programs through two divisions: Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults and Helen Keller Services for the Blind.  For more information, please visit www.helenkeller.org.