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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 09/24/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
By leveraging these strategies, organizations can strengthen relationships, improve outreach, and drive greater engagement with their audience. Attend this session to learn strategies for success!
This session explores how organizations use technology to enhance their eNewsletter strategies, ensuring they effectively engage stakeholders. Participants will learn best practices for audience segmentation and personalization, discover automation and AI tools to streamline communications, and understand key metrics for optimizing outreach and engagement.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to use technology to enhance email marketing efforts.
- Learn best practices for segmenting and personalizing eNewsletters to engage key audiences.
- Explore automation and AI tools to improve efficiency and engagement.
- Identify key metrics to track and optimize email performance for increased impact.
By leveraging these strategies, organizations can strengthen relationships, improve outreach, and drive greater engagement with their audience. Attend this session to learn strategies for success!
Erin Whitt
Principal Strategic Communications Consultant
Viva Strategic Communications
Erin Whitt is a strategic communications consultant specializing in messaging, digital engagement, public relations, and advocacy. As Principal at Viva Strategic Communications, she helps mission-driven organizations craft compelling narratives, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and implement impactful marketing strategies.
Before launching her consulting practice, Erin worked in communications, fundraising, special events, and membership management for organizations in environmental sustainability, animal welfare, human rights, social justice, public health, higher education, and the performing arts. Her experience with nonprofits and trade associations such as the Solar Electric Light Fund, the Modular Building Institute, UC San Diego, The Old Globe, and Utah Festival Opera gives her unique insight into the challenges and opportunities nonprofit and small business leaders face in engaging stakeholders and driving growth.
Through Viva Strategic Communications, Erin collaborates with clients on branding, content marketing, media relations, and advocacy campaigns, ensuring they have the strategies and tools to amplify their impact and achieve long-term success
Maria Chelko (Moderator)
Communications Manager
The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration
Maria Chelko has fifteen years of experience as an educator in hospital, community, and academic settings. Since joining The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration in 2017, she has served in many positions including Family Support Coordinator and Hospital and Community Liaison. She is currently Communications Manager. Throughout her career in eye banking, she has been dedicated to improving eye donation outcomes and fostering a positive culture of donation in the New York City area through public and professional education and donor family outreach. Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Penn State University and a master’s in Writing from The University of New Hampshire
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 06/05/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
Achieve greater awareness and engagement with strategies for ensuring that your content reaches the intended audiences; register today!
Promoting your eye bank’s mission and message on social media can be difficult when algorithms are constantly changing.
This webinar explores how organizations can adapt to ever-changing social media algorithms to maximize engagement, raise awareness, and strengthen relationships with key audiences. Participants will gain insights into recent algorithm updates across major platforms, learn best practices for content strategy, and discover tools to track performance and optimize outreach.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how social media algorithms impact content visibility and engagement.
- Learn recent changes across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
- Explore strategies to adapt content and maximize engagement with key audiences.
- Identify tools and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and optimize social media efforts.
Achieve greater awareness and engagement with strategies for ensuring that your content reaches the intended audiences; register today!
Matt Webber (Moderator)
Partner Relations Manager
Lions VisionGift
Matt Webber is the Partner Relations Manager at VisionGift. Matt works with hospital partners, funeral homes, medical examiners, and donation partners. In addition, he also manages the correspondence program for donor families & recipients, as well as VisionGift’s social media. Matt also serves as a member of the Advisory Council for Donate Life America and on EBAA’s Donor, Partner, and Community Relations Committee.
Erin Whitt
Principal Strategic Communications Consultant
Viva Strategic Communications
Erin Whitt is a strategic communications consultant specializing in messaging, digital engagement, public relations, and advocacy. As Principal at Viva Strategic Communications, she helps mission-driven organizations craft compelling narratives, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and implement impactful marketing strategies.
Before launching her consulting practice, Erin worked in communications, fundraising, special events, and membership management for organizations in environmental sustainability, animal welfare, human rights, social justice, public health, higher education, and the performing arts. Her experience with nonprofits and trade associations such as the Solar Electric Light Fund, the Modular Building Institute, UC San Diego, The Old Globe, and Utah Festival Opera gives her unique insight into the challenges and opportunities nonprofit and small business leaders face in engaging stakeholders and driving growth.
Through Viva Strategic Communications, Erin collaborates with clients on branding, content marketing, media relations, and advocacy campaigns, ensuring they have the strategies and tools to amplify their impact and achieve long-term success
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- Non-member - $50
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Contains 1 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 05/14/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
Please join us on Wednesday, May 14, at 2pm ET, for the Spring Town Hall Meeting. Led by EBAA Speaker of the House, Shannon Schweitzer, this Town Hall includes Board of Directors' Candidate Speeches and other Association updates. All EBAA members are welcome to attend.
Please join us on Wednesday, May 14, at 2pm ET, for the Spring Town Hall Meeting. Led by EBAA Speaker of the House, Shannon Schweitzer, this Town Hall includes Board of Directors' Candidate Speeches and other Association updates. All EBAA members are welcome to attend.
EBAA Town Hall meetings are held throughout the year to share information with the members about the Board’s activity and to solicit member feedback and perspectives on the issues facing the profession. The Spring Town Hall meeting features Board of Director candidate speeches and any proposed Bylaws changes, allowing House of Delegate members the opportunity to hear speeches and proposed changes before the Annual Meeting. The meeting includes time for members to ask questions of the Board, staff and the membership; please contact Shannon by May 1 to suggest topics for discussion.
CEUs not awarded for this session. EBAA Members Only.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 05/07/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
Attend this session to learn more about the role of the Administrator on Call and to gain and practical strategies for managing on-call duties for the eye bank.
The Administrator on Call (AOC) is an important role and can be different at each eye bank. The webinar " Answering the Call: Navigating the Role of the AOC" focuses on the crucial role of administrators who are responsible for overseeing eye banking operations during off-hours. Speakers will discuss what this role looks like at their organizations, highlighting the difference between having dedicated staff or scheduling staff to take on the role, the types of calls that the AOC receives and the considerations for making decisions in the moment. Speakers will present cases and scenarios, discussing how various situations were handled at their organizations.
Attendees will learn:
- The roles and responsibilities of an AOC at different eye banks
- The types of calls that an AOC receives
- The unique challenges faced by the AOC
- How to navigate certain situations presented to the AOC
- Best practices for AOCs including effective communication, logistical coordination, and task prioritization
Attend this session to learn more about the role of the Administrator on Call and to gain and practical strategies for managing on-call duties for the eye bank.
Dana Owens, CEBT
Director, Tissue Recovery
Eversight
Dana Owens, CEBT, is the Director of Tissue Recovery for Eversight. Dana began her healthcare career as an EMT and Medic in the United States Army. Soon after, she found her calling and purpose within the world of eye banking. Dana has been involved in eye banking as a recovery technician, recovery manager, business development, research recovery development, and distribution manager and has been the Director of Tissue Recovery since 2022. Dana currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the EBAA Technician Education Committee.
Monica Freiburger, CEBT
Donor Eligibility Manager
Iowa Lions Eye Bank
Monica Freiburger, CEBT, has been with Iowa Lions Eye Bank since 2008, beginning her career as a Recovery Technician and advancing to her current role as Donor Eligibility Manager. Since 2018, she has actively contributed to the Eye Bank Association of America through various committees, including the Continuing Education Committee, Exam Committee, Statistical Report Committee, Technical Procedures Manual Subcommittee, and currently serves on the Policy and Position Research Subcommittee and Technical Education Committee.
Ann Kent, CEBT
Georgia Eye Bank
Ann Kent, CEBT, is a Certified Eye Bank Technician and the Recovery Services and Training Supervisor at the Georgia Eye Bank. She has been in eye banking for over 10 years and has prior experience in donor coordination, recovery services, and clinical services. Ann is responsible for the training of laboratory staff in many functions including tissue recovery, evaluation, and donor eligibility. She currently serves on the EBAA Technician Education Committee.
Taylor Vanek, CEBT
Manager of Surgeon Development
Miracles in Sight
Taylor Vanek, CEBT, began her career in eye banking in 2012 as a recovery technician after having seen a recovery during her internship at the medical examiner's office. Just over ten years later, she has worked in almost all areas of eye banking. She has worked with donor families, corneal transplant surgeons, in the lab and with the community to educate and foster corneal donation. In 2020, Taylor joined Miracles In Sight and has recently become their new Manager of Surgeon Development.
Nikki Smith, CEBT
Clinical Manager
The Eye Bank of Kentucky
Nikki Smith, CEBT, is the Clinical Manager at The Eye Bank of Kentucky (EBKY). She has been with EBKY for 5 years and is passionate about ocular recovery and donor eligibility. Nikki currently serves on the EBAA Technician Education Committee. She is a mom of two boys, who keep her busy in her free time!
Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT (Moderator)
President & CEO
Miracles In Sight
Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT, began a career in ocular transplantation in 1999 at the Lone Star Lions Eye Bank in Austin, Texas. During her 13 years there, she performed all aspects of eye banking in her role as Technical Director. Ingrid accepted a position with North Carolina Eye Bank in 2013 as the Supervisor of Recovery Services. In 2016, she earned her MBA in leadership and was promoted to the Vice President of Donor Logistics after the acquisition of ocular recovery services in South Carolina. Ingrid was responsible for the day-to-day logistical operations of the donor recovery process, hospital development, Medical Examiner and Coroner relationships in North and South Carolina. In 2020, Ingrid led the project for the acquisition of the Lone Star Eye Bank, now Miracles In Sight, Lone Star Division. In June of 2022, Ingrid was promoted to President & CEO of Miracles In Sight. Ingrid is an active member in the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and serves as chair of the Technician Education Committee, EBAA Medical Advisory Board and Certification Board. Ingrid served in the United States Army, HHC, 2AD as the Commanding General’s Attendant. Prior to her career in eye banking, she taught high school Spanish and English.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 04/16/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
Attend this session to learn how to enhance the quality and success rates of eye transplants through improved management and collaboration.
Quality management is an important aspect of eye banking and directly impacts transplant success and recipient outcomes. Speakers will cover the role of quality in eye banking functions and strategies for creating a positive culture around quality at your organization.
Attendees will learn:
• The distinction between quality control and quality assurance
• Who is responsible for quality
• Ensuring quality during inspections
• How to address quality concerns with management
Attend this session to learn how to enhance the quality and success rates of eye transplants through improved management and collaboration.
Wayne Dietz, CEBT
Quality Assurance Director
San Diego Eye Bank
Wayne Dietz, CEBT, is the Quality Assurance Director at the San Diego Eye Bank. Yes, when he started, Eye Banks were not performing serological testing in 1985. After leaving the United States Navy he brought his surgical scrub skills to the technical department, becoming Technical Director in 1988. Prior to entering the Quality Department, Wayne was the Tissue Distribution Manager. Working with Verble Worth and Verble, he helped to establish the consent program at the Medical Examiner’s Office. He has served on the following EBAA committees: Technician Training, Technician Certification, Research and Quality Assurance.
Stephanie Cottrell, CEBT, CTBS, CQIA, (ASQ)
Senior Quality Improvement Coordinator
Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank
Stephanie Cottrell is a Certified Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) and has over 20 years of experience working in the field of eye & tissue donation. Stephanie currently oversees Quality Compliance for Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank and has extensive experience with donor eligibility, auditing, regulatory and accreditation inspections. She is a certified Quality Improvement Associate through the American Society for Quality (ASC) and certified in medical coding through MTI College.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 04/09/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
Attend this free session to learn everything you need to know about the latest Statistical Report on Eye Banking!
The 2024 EBAA Statistical Report on Eye Banking will be released in April 2025 and there will be a lot to discuss! Attend this session to learn more about the report and what the data may indicate about future trends. Natalie Buckman, Chair of the Statistical Report Committee will discuss the report and highlight important updates, data and trends.
The session includes:
- Highlights of the EBAA 2024 Statistical Report on Eye Banking (coming April 2025)
- Updates and category changes
- Analysis of the data
- Trends in tissue utilization, surgical indications, donation, tissue procurement, and distribution
- Information on how to use the report to benchmark your organization
Attend this free session to learn everything you need to know about the latest Statistical Report on Eye Banking! Members only. CEUs: .5
Natalie Buckman
Systems and Analytics Manager
Lions Gift of Sight
Natalie Buckman, CEBT, is the Systems and Analytics Manager for Lions Gift of Sight in St. Paul, Minnesota. Natalie has worked over twenty years in the donation community after serving in the Peace Corps. Natalie is an active volunteer with EBAA, currently serving as the Chair of the EBAA Statistical Report Committee and member of the Legislative and Regulatory Committee. She has also previously served on the Exam Committee and Policy and Position Review Subcommittee.
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Contains 1 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 04/03/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
Join us for a second round of lively discussion about corneal tissue processing!
Join EBAA members for “Community Chat – Corneal Tissue Processing - Ask the Processors Round 2!” on Thursday, April 3 at 1pm Eastern. Following the success of the first Community Chat on Corneal Tissue Processing in December, members of the Technician Education Committee will continue the conversation on processing and will focus on DMEK. The chat provides a unique opportunity for attendees to ask questions about navigating difficult processing situations and scenarios. If you have a specific question about processing or a scenario that you are not sure how to navigate, please send your question in advance to Stacey@restoresight.org. Join us for a second round of lively discussion about corneal tissue processing!
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 03/26/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
Attend this session to learn more about the recovery processes for eye and tissue, and how to work together to honor the gift & maximize the donor’s opportunity to help others.
EBAA and AATB are proud to present an educational collaboration to explore the important relationship between Eye Banks and Tissue Recovery Agencies. Join us for this unique webinar where we hear from Subject Matter Experts in Eye Banking and Tissue Banking. Speakers will take you through the process of working together to honor the gift & maximize the donor’s opportunity to help others.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the collaborative processes between eye banks and tissue recovery agencies to honor donor intent and maximize the impact of donations.
- Identify the key roles and responsibilities of eye banking and tissue recovery professionals in enhancing the donor's opportunity to help others.
- Apply best practices for coordination between eye banks and tissue recovery agencies to improve efficiency and outcomes.
- Evaluate case studies demonstrating successful collaborations that enhanced donor impact and recipient outcomes.
Attend this session to learn more about the recovery processes for eye and tissue, and how to work together to honor the gift & maximize the donor’s opportunity to help others.
IMPORTANT: This session is complimentary for EBAA and AATB members. If you are not an EBAA member but are an AATB member, please register for the session on AATB’s website.
Dana Owens, CEBT
Director, Tissue Recovery
Eversight
Dana Owens, CEBT, is the Director of Tissue Recovery for Eversight. Dana began her healthcare career as an EMT and Medic in the United States Army. Soon after, she found her calling and purpose within the world of eye banking. Dana has been involved in eye banking as a recovery technician, recovery manager, business development, research recovery development, and distribution manager and has been the Director of Tissue Recovery since 2022. Dana currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the EBAA Technician Education Committee.
Emmitt A. Savannah, III, CTBS
Manager of Tissue Recovery and Research Training
LifeGift Organ Donation Center
Emmitt A. Savannah, III, CTBS, serves as the Manager of Tissue Recovery and Research Training at LifeGift Organ Donation Center, where he provides leadership, supervision, development and implementation of training programs for LifeGift in all its Texas regions that reinforce accepted industry practices and comply with organizational operating procedures, AATB standards, and FDA regulations. Emmitt has worked in the donation industry for over 14 years, and is passionate about leading, training, educating and developing people and teams as well as developing the programs in which they work to achieve goals efficiently.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
Register for this session to have a better understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and become more comfortable discussing it with others.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a hot-button topic across the country and in the media right now. A core value of EBAA’s, the DEI Committee is hosting this session to remind members of what DEI is, what all it includes, and how to convey its importance to Board members and other stakeholder who may be skeptical about its relevance.
Speakers discuss DEI at their own organizations, successes and challenges of DEI programs, and approaches they’ve taken when addressing their Boards of Directors.
Register for this session to have a better understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and become more comfortable discussing it with others.
CEUs:1
Mike Tramber, MBA, CEBT, CTBS (Moderator)
Vice President of Operations
Miracles in Sight
As Vice President of Operations, Mike is responsible for developing long-term strategies, creating lean and efficient operational processes, improving customer relationships and monitoring the successes of each operational department.
Mike started his career in the organ, tissue and eye donation industry more than 20 years ago as a recovery technician, where his skills and attention to detail helped him routinely win the coveted Technician of the Month award. His calm demeanor, excellent interpersonal skills and industry knowledge make him an outstanding and successful leader. He later moved to Carolina Donor Services as Tissue Recovery Manager where he led the department to win the Golden Quill and Golden Scalpel Awards for minimal errors in both documentation and surgical technique. Mike came to Miracles In Sight in 2006, where he quickly was able to use his skills to forge many process and procedural improvements and lead the company to become one of the top eye banks in the world. Mike is an advocate for donation. He is active on multiple EBAA committees, leads technician education trainings, and lectures on eye banking domestically and abroad.
After graduating high school, Mike enlisted in the US Army as a laboratory technician and worked towards completing a diploma in surgical technology. He received his Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Mt. Olive College and his Master of Business Administration from Winston-Salem State University.
Chandler Shaw
Business Development Coordinator
Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank
Chandler Shaw is the Business Development Coordinator for Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank at the Nashville, TN location. With nearly two years of experience in the organization, Chandler has played a role in expanding the Eye Bank’s reach and fostering critical partnerships. In addition to her work at Sierra Donor Services, she has been an active member of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee for the past year. Chandler is passionate about supporting the growth of life-improving initiatives and promoting a culture of inclusion both within the workplace and the community.
Elizabeth Caraza-Fout
Executive Director
Beauty of Sight
Elizabeth Fout is the Executive Director of Beauty of Sight, a position she has held for nearly 20 years. Based in Miami, Florida, she has been dedicated to the eye banking field since 1998, starting her career as a recovery technician. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Florida International University. She has also been an active member of the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), serving two consecutive terms as Treasurer and contributing to multiple committees.
Brenna Wheeler
Customer Experience Director
Eversight
Brenna M. Wheeler, M.S. is a successful marketing, communications, program & community development professional with more than 20 years of experience focused on improving the health and wellness of Michigan residents. As the Customer Experience Director at Eversight, Brenna is responsible for planning, developing and optimizing marketing & customer experience technologies and journey improvements to help create the best possible experience for everyone who engages with the Eversight website and other platforms. Brenna serves on the EBAA DEI Committee and is co-chair of Eversight's DEI Council.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
Register today to learn more about what these different groups are doing to raise awareness about cornea donation among a variety of communities.
Eye banks continue to work to find new ways to spread the message about cornea donation and eye banking throughout their local communities. This session will focus on unique opportunities to further the reach of the message about cornea donation. Patty Stockdale from Lions Gift of Sight will discuss the ways they work to encourage cornea donation during a body donation, as well as their efforts to work with Lions and their local universities. Alyssa Hernandez from Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank will explain the efforts their eye bank does to educate local ophthalmic technicians about eye banking as a potential career pathway. Nicole Nidea from SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates will explain what SODA is and how eye banks can engage with SODA’s local chapters to engage with students about eye, organ, and tissue donation.
Learn more about what these different groups are doing to raise awareness about cornea donation among a variety of communities.
Patty Stockdale
Partner & Community Relations Manager
Lions Gift of Sight
Patty Stockdale currently serves as Partner & Community Relations Manager at Lions Gift of Sight, and on the EBAA Donor, Partner & Community Relations Committee. She has been a friend of the eye bank since 2007, volunteering in a variety of roles prior to joining the staff in 2015. Patty holds a degree in Business Management and has a diverse background in business.
Alyssa Hernandez
Director of Marketing and Development
Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank
Alyssa Hernandez began her career in eye banking in 2020 at Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank. As the Director of Marketing and Development, she implements and executes branding and business development growth strategies along with marketing campaigns. Alyssa currently serves as a member of the EBAA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the EBAA Donor Partner Community Relations Committee.
Alyssa resides in Sacramento, CA with her husband and 3 young boys. She dedicates her passion for eye, organ, and tissue donation to her son who is a liver transplant recipient.
Nicole Nidea
Program Director
Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA)
Nicole was first introduced to SODA in 2015, and she has been devoted to educating others about organ, eye, and tissue donation ever since.
She helped lead the original SODA chapter at Washington University in St. Louis until she graduated in 2019 with a BA in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Nicole joined the SODA National Team in 2020 as the volunteer Director of Development to lead SODA's fundraising efforts.
In April 2021, Nicole became SODA’s first full-time employee. As Program Director, Nicole ensures student advocates have the resources needed to save and heal lives by leading our organization, overseeing the SODA National team, building national partnerships, marketing our programs, managing technology and automations, and more.
Jerilyn Giardina (Moderator)
Executive Vice President
AltruVision
Jerilyn Giardina is the Executive Vice President at AltruVision in Philadelphia, PA. She has worked at AltruVision for ten years and received her Master's Degree in Nonprofit Leadership from La Salle University. Jerilyn currently serves as the Chair of the EBAA Donor, Partner, and Community Relations Committee.
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