Our Staff

Christina Lennon, Executive Director

Christina Lennon became Executive Director of the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation in 2005.  Christina has been working with nonprofits for the past 16 years.  She has a degree in Business Management from the University of Florida.  In 2003, she was awarded the first Amanda Hyatt Fellowship for outstanding commitment to the Nonprofit Community, from Georgia State University, where she received her Masters in Urban Policy Studies. 

During her six years with the Lighthouse Foundation, Christina has worked to develop new programs and increase sources of funding.  Under her tireless leadership, the Lighthouse has opened 25 new vision clinics statewide; doubled client capacity in its hearing-aid program; and has increased the number of eye surgeries provided by 85 percent, while decreasing the average cost per surgery. 

Her awards and honors include:

•    2009 “WOW” Woman on the Way – Atlanta Woman Magazine
•    2009 Revolutions Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Leader – Georgia Center for Nonprofits
•    2011 Distinguished Alumni  Award  -- Andrew Young School of Policy at Georgia State University

Victoria Jordan, Associate Director

Victoria Jordan joined the Lighthouse in 1998. She serves as the Associate Director.  In this role she leads the eye surgery program and manages the operations of the Lighthouse facility.  She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Religion, and completed her post-graduate studies in Visual Disabilities, at Florida State University. Victoria has formed strong relationships with the Lighthouse’s medical partners, leading to increased support and a reduction in the average surgery cost.   

Sharifa Peart, Hearing Director

Sharifa Peart is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  She also eared a Masters in Public Health, with an emphasis in Community Health, from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. Sharifa works with 140 hearing providers statewide to serve more than 1,000 people.

Shamae Crosswhite, Vision and Finance Director

As Eye Clinic Coordinator, Shamae Crosswhite became part of our team in the fall of 2007. In 2008, her role was expanded to Vision Services and Finance Coordinator, making her manager of the Lighthouse's statewide vision clinic program. She works with over 100 volunteer physicians and 23 clinic sites. Shamae holds a BA in Accounting and a Masters in Health Services Administration, from Georgia Southern University.

Sarah Epting, Partnership Director

Sarah Epting brought her varied talents to the Lighthouse in 2006, as Marketing Coordinator.  She now serves as Partnership Director and manages the Americorps VISTA program, special event fundraising, and information technology.  Sarah graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Journalism–Publication Management. She is currently working on an MPA in Nonprofit Management, at Georgia State University.

 

Tiffany Ellerbee, Clinic Coordinator

Tiffany Ellerbee became part of the Lighthouse in July 2009, as Volunteer Coordinator through Americorps VISTA.  After she completed her year of VISTA service, we weren’t about to let her go.  Tiffany remained part of the Lighthouse team, as Clinic Coordinator, traveling with mobile clinic vans to help provide eye exams throughout Georgia. She has a BA in Social Work from North Carolina A&T State University.

 

Caren Kaplan,  Clinic Coordinator

Caren Kaplan became a valued part of the Lighthouse in 2010, as a Clinic Coordinator, after graduating with an MPH from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. She also holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Texas-Austin. Caren loves animals and the outdoors.

James Brooks, Optician

James Brooks LDO, ABOC, NCLE,  brings over 25 years of optical experience to the Lighthouse Foundation. As the Lighthouse Licensed Optician, James cuts and prepares every single pair of glasses that Lighthouse ships out (over 4,000 in 2011). After owning his own optical shop and managing several eye care centers all over the country, James and his family have settled in the Peach State. James now gives his considerable talents to help provide sight for low-income Georgians. The Lighthouse is excited to have James on board, and we all look forward to seeing how he grows the optical program in the coming years!

Jim Adams, Grants Manager

Jim Adams is a retired banker from SunTrust, where he served for 35 years. In his last 20 years with SunTrust, he founded and managed a non-profit banking department that consulted with 501c3 organizations. After retirement in 2000, Jim worked with the Arthritis Foundation as a fundraiser and Interim President.

In the fall of 2005, Jim joined the Lighthouse to help develop a foundational giving program.  His efforts have significantly contributed to the three-fold growth of the Lighthouse’s programs and funding.

Jim holds a Masters in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance, from Emory University.  He earned a BBA\Finance at Georgia State University, where he played scholarship basketball.

AmeriCorps workers and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers