ACBVI Leaders

Steve Welker is an author and motivational speaker. His first book, ‘The World at my Fingertips’, is his inspirational story of how he overcame the auto accident that took his sight. His second book ‘Radical Resiliency’, written with his wife, Dr. Kristina Welker, outlines the steps anyone can employ to overcome personal challenges. Steve is a graduate of Arizona State University College of Business. In addition to his work with ACBVI, Steve is also a spokesperson for Guide Dogs of the Desert and a member of the Chandler Lions Club. His amazing guide dog is Orbit, a Standard Poodle.

Cassandra Laughrey is a Physical Therapist at Banner Health. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona and University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Her passions include working with geriatric and pediatric special needs populations. Cassie is an active member of the Chandler Lions club, American Physical Therapy Association student member, and Special Olympics volunteer. She lives in Chandler with her husband Andrew and dogs Beaux, Ellie, and Frank.

Nate Johnson is currently the Manager of Direct Investments for DF Enterprises. He has over 15-years of accounting and financing experience with increasing responsibility in various roles. He specializes in manager all aspects of financial operations including C-Suite and other financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, tax reporting, banking relationships, working capital management, M&A, deal sourcing and structuring, and financial reporting systems. Nate’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with a minor in CIS from Arizona State University. He also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix as well as an active CPA license from the State of Arizona. Previously Nate has served as an advisor to 3 non-profit boards in Hawaii and California where he oversaw the accounting functions, established process and procedures, trained staff, created financial reporting, board decks and performed the public support tests to ensure compliance. Nate currently resides in Ahwatukee Arizona with his wife. They do not have any kids, but have a dog and two cats.

From the beginning of his career at Gallagher & Kennedy in 2000, Shannon has been drawn to legal matters that allowed him to advocate for individuals who have been harmed in some way through the fault of others. As a member the firm’s highly skilled and successful Plaintiff’s Personal Injury and Wrongful Death team, Shannon gained invaluable experience in high-profile cases at the state and national levels. Shannon is deeply committed to his clients, and his effort extends beyond the intricacies of any given lawsuit to champion consumer safety issues for greater social impact.

In 2017 California native Nancy moved with her husband to AZ when he accepted a job transfer. With over 30 years experience working with the blind and visually impaired, first as an Independent Living Skills instructor, Student Advisor and ending her career as Manager of Educational Programs, she felt a strong desire to continue sharing her knowledge and skills leading her to ACBVI. She has seen first hand, with the proper training and education how those with low vision to no vision can become independent, self-confident individuals. She also, along with her staff instructors, provided Introduction to Low Vision and Blindness awareness classes to medical students, resident physicians and fourth year USC pharmacy students. Nancy has a BS in Child and Family Development from California State University, Long Beach. In California, Nancy belonged to the Down with Falls Coalition, was a certified Living with a Chronic Disease instructor and CPR/First aid certified. Currently she enjoys volunteering at Dignity Medical Center and with the Queen Creek Community Center Senior Program. She is also an active member with the Chandler Lions club.

Khara Fuentes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Centre for Middle Ground, LLC; a private practice clinic located in Phoenix. Her practice predominately works with couples, adolescent girls and emerging women. In her office she is often accompanied by her pint-sized companion and therapy dog, Tino. Khara utilizes Tino for animal-assisted therapy interventions to connect with hard to reach or resistant teens and help them meet their therapy goals. In her work with couples she uses the Gottman Method based on 40+ years of research. Outside of work Khara loves to explore the latest restaurants and coffee shops. You might even see her on a dance floor learning a new partner dance!

Adam Zimmerman works for CVS Health in Scottsdale as an Advice & Counsel Investigator, moving from the Boston area in 2019 and originally from Portland, Maine.

Eaan Green works at Northrop Grumman as a Principal Test Conductor in Chandler and is a military veteran.