RestoringVision Appoints Kristin Cooney as Chief Operating Officer

SAN FRANCISCO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RestoringVision, the global nonprofit dedicated to providing vision screening and eyeglasses around the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Cooney as its first-ever chief operating officer (COO). In this strategic new role, Cooney will lead the organization's day-to-day operations, providing leadership as RestoringVision scales its reach and impact, accelerating progress towards ending the global vision crisis.

As COO, Cooney will oversee RestoringVision's operations, procurement and supply chain, programs, evaluation, and human resources departments. She will also focus on the implementation of key strategic initiatives, to optimize processes, performance, and resource efficiency and drive operational excellence. Last year, RestoringVision reached almost 6 million people living in extreme poverty with vision screening and eyeglasses; in 2025, it expects to reach over 7 million.

"We are delighted that Kristin has joined our team," said Pelin Munis, Ph.D., chief executive officer of RestoringVision. "Her extensive experience in leading large-scale international programs, combined with her commitment to strong partnerships and improving the lives of vulnerable people will be invaluable as we scale our operations and expand our impact."

Cooney brings nearly 40 years of expertise in managing international programs, working throughout Asia, Africa, Haiti, and the U.S. Prior to joining RestoringVision, she served as head of global program management at Corus International, leading a diverse portfolio of health, agriculture, and livelihoods programs. She also served as director of the West Africa region at Management Sciences for Health, overseeing a portfolio of projects funded by the United States Agency for Development (USAID), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Bank. She also held positions with USAID, serving in their missions in Haiti and West Africa, as well as their Washington, DC headquarters. She holds an M.A. degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Political Science and French from James Madison University.

"I am excited to join RestoringVision at this pivotal time," said Cooney. "The organization's commitment to improving lives through accessible vision care resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to contributing my expertise to advancing its worldwide impact."

About RestoringVision
RestoringVision is tackling the vision crisis head-on, focusing on presbyopia—the age-related deterioration of a person's near vision and the most common cause of vision impairment. Globally, 800 million people are living with presbyopia. By providing essential vision screening and near vision eyeglasses to those living on less than $2 a day, RestoringVision is transforming lives, unlocking the human potential that lies at the intersection of health, education, and livelihoods. Since 2003, the organization has reached more than 34 million people across 150+ countries. Visit www.restoringvision.org.

Contact Information
Elizabeth Walsh, VP of Communications and Marketing
phone: 914-844-0729/[email protected]
www.restoringvision.org

SOURCE RestoringVision