The Palmetto Council of the Blind consists of a 5-member board. The currently elected positions are President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Our current board members are:
President:
Jennifer Bazer
jennifer.bazer@pcbsc.org
A bit about Jennifer…
Jennifer Bazer has been a driving force in the transformation of the blind community in South Carolina, playing a pivotal role in the revamping of the American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) affiliate in the state. Under her leadership, the Palmetto Council of the Blind was officially recognized as an affiliate on March 2, 2024. Passionate about fostering growth and advocacy, Jennifer has worked on expanding membership, raising public awareness, and connecting with both affiliate and national ACB leaders. She is committed to growing her leadership on a state and national level.
Jennifer has been blind since birth and learned Braille and orientation and mobility at the age of five. In high school, she spent time as an exchange student in Cali, Colombia, broadening her global perspective. She is a dedicated mother to two sighted children, ages 11 and 14, and loves attending her children’s extracurricular activities. Jennifer is also an avid traveler, a skilled cook, and a lover of live music. Her enthusiasm for fundraising, public speaking, and advocacy underscores her dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.
Academically, Jennifer graduated eighth in her high school class and earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in Spanish, from Winthrop University. She went on to obtain a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Over the course of her career, she has worked as an instructor, trainer, counselor, job placement specialist, multi-sales consultant, and for the past eight years, as a project director. A longtime advocate for blind children and youth, she directed a camp for blind children for six summers and enjoys working with older adults.
In her local community, Jennifer has been deeply involved with her children’s Scout activities, volunteering her time with fundraising, badge attainment, and public speaking to local Scout troops. She also supports Sole Stepping, a nonprofit providing new shoes and socks to students in qualifying schools in Columbia.
First Vice-President:
Dave Bertsch
Second Vice-President:
Ryan Gorsky
Treasurer:
Malaya Reece
Secretary:
Nancy Irwin
nancyeirwin@outlook.com
A bit about Nancy…
Nancy is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired with a Masters of Arts in Teaching from USC Upstate and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Theatre Technical Design from Winthrop University. Born premature, Nancy has had low vision from birth. Being born with a twin sister with multiple disabilities, Nancy utilizes her experiences as a person with a Visual Impairment along with a sibling with multiple disabilities to better serve her students and their families.
Outside of work, Nancy enjoys many things including spending time with friends and family, going on adventures whether they be near or far and learning to play the bagpipes. First starting as a way to get away from the intensity of her work, Nancy has found this to be something of a challenge but also a sense of pride.
Nancy enjoys sharing information with people regarding many topics. Always willing to lend a hand in whatever capacity she can be involved with, Nancy has enjoyed being a part of the first cohort of officers to comprise PCB’s board.