MEET OUR TEAM
Dudley Conneely is a lifelong humanitarian who has worked for 35 years with international non-profit organizations in some of the poorest countries in the world. His first post was in Bolivia where he served as Country Director of Project Concern International organizing and implementing sustainable, community-based, integral development projects. From 2000 to 2008 Dudley served as the director for Emergency Disaster Response teams in Darfur, Sudan, Kabul, Afghanistan, Basra Iraq and in the city of New Orleans during the Katrina disaster. These experiences prepared Dudley for his position as Executive Director of Eyeshine. Dudley has a Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Education and Masters of Divinity degrees from the University of the State of New York. Dudley has eight children and lives with his wife Mary in Goleta CA.
My name is Enrique A Diaz and I am 48 years old and have a family with 3 children. I am legally blind having been born with glaucoma and lost my eyesight in my left eye at four years old. In 1991, I came to live to the Unites States from Mexico and in 1995 I moved to Santa Barbara. I am very thankful and feel so fortunate to have found the nonprofit organization Eyeshine. I have learned so much from the Eyeshine students while participating in Eyeshine’s recreational events and activities. It has not only helped my own self-confidence but also given me the resolve to help other children and adults live independent lives and contribute to our community. As a Bilingual US citizen I feel privileged to work with low income Latino families who have visually impaired children. I am honored to represent Eyeshine and am proud to serve on the board.
Natalie was born in the lowland jungles of Eastern Bolivia, in the heart of South America the seventh of eight children to Dudley- an Irish-American father and Mary- an Incan Bolivian Mother. She spent the first 13 years of her professional life in Business and Nonprofit Development, raising more than 70 Million dollars for companies like CNN International, Universities, and nonprofits around the world. Natalie is also a working actress, producer, writer, director, storyteller, yoga teacher, and energy healer based in Redondo Beach, California.
In 2019 after the historic Amazon fires in Bolivia, Natalie launched Pachamama Sabia, a social impact, production company, to document and share stories with a social and environmental lens that inspire global action. Pachamama Sabia follows Natalie’s seven years of developing and advancing a global Fellowship program authorized by the 14th Dalai Lama to Reimagine Leadership by cultivating 175+ mindful, compassionate, and ethical leaders in more than 40 countries around the world. Natalie is thrilled to join her Dad in fulfilling the Eyeshine mission of building character, confidence and courage in the lives of visually impaired and disabled youth and adults.
Anika Temple is a student at University of California, Santa Barbara working towards a dual degree in Global Studies and Russian/Eastern European Studies. She has experience with marketing and social media, and has a passion for photography and videography. As a disabled student with hearing loss, Anika recognizes the importance of Eyeshine’s mission and the impact that these opportunities have.
BOARD MEMBERS
Fernando is a well known and respected member of the Santa Barbara Latino community. He has been involved in advocacy and immigration services with different non-profits throughout Santa Barbara county. He is dedicated to supporting children and adults with vision loss. He lives with his wife Alejandra and two sons in Santa Barbara, California.
Thomas Brady is the Chairman of Thomas Brady & Associates, a national independent insurance firm that has been providing estate and business planning services for more than 50 years. Tom and his wife Galynn have four children and nine grandchildren and live in San Mateo, California.
Kirk Aguer is a former member of the Civil War Era Center Board at Pennsylvania State University and past President of Rotary International, State College, Pennsylvania. He has a degree in International Business from San Francisco State University. He is currently an Investment Officer with Wells Fargo Advisors; residing in State College, Pennsylvania.
William Isetta is the CEO and President of Orbis Payment Services, Inc., a company that he founded in 2001. Prior to establishing Orbis, Bill enjoyed a rewarding career in Catholic education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. As an administrator, Bill served for many years in the role of Director of Development where he became recognized for his expertise in the area of Institutional Advancement.
Erica Torres leads a global team for a Biotech Company focused on rare diseases. Erica and her husband Armando are parents to three daughters and one son. Their son was diagnosed with a rare congenital vision disorder called Aniridia. This does not hold them back from enjoying life in every way! The Torres family resides in sunny Ventura, California.
A graduate of Serra High School in San Mateo, CA and the University of San Francisco, Dennis Lucey is in the computer business and has lived in the Washington, DC area since 1965. He served two years as the director of the Peace Corps in West Africa and served one year in Brazil as the chief administrator of the hospital ship Hope. He and his wife Pam have two children and four grandchildren, and they live in McLean, VA.