Staff
Kate Edwards
Executive Director
Kate holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and has over twenty years of development, recruitment, and nonprofit experience, including working as Director of Development and Director of Major Gifts at The Waterford School, as a Physician Recruiter at Global Medical Staffing, and as Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Utah Football. Her life and that of her family has been touched by vision issues, experiencing firsthand the importance of early detection. Over her tenure at Friends for Sight, the program has expanded to include further outreach in supporting vision issues by adding the Friends for Sight Vision Clinics and Sightfest Events.
Camille Pankow
Executive Assistant
Camille has worked with Friends for Sight for over ten years. She has studied Business Administration at both Utah State University and University of Utah. Camille enjoys coordinating and working with the PreSchool vision screening program as well as assisting with all aspects of Friends for Sight. Her father grew up with Amblyopia that wasn't detected early enough for treatment. She works diligently each day knowing how important vision is to a person's quality of life.
Natalee Crook-Carter
Vision Outreach Director
As a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Natalee has an extensive vision background with The Eye Institute of Utah and as a Patient Advocate/Surgery Coordinator at the University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology. In addition to all of her experience evaluating required care for patients and performing preliminary eye exams, Natalee brings a love for humanity and true desire to serve to her position at Friends for Sight. Natalee is responsible for all aspects of the Friends for Sight Vision Clinic and Sightfest Events, working closely with our fantastic volunteer Doctors.
Rachel O'Brien
Preschool Screening Coordinator
Rachel has a Master of Public Health degree from Brigham Young University. She worked as an intern at Friends for Sight before becoming the Preschool Coordinator. Rachel schedules and oversees preschool screenings in Salt Lake County and counties north and loves the opportunity to work with preschoolers and volunteers. She is passionate about prevention of vision issues and believes in making a difference one child at a time.
Haley Smedley
Program Director
Haley recently joined the Friends for Sight team, bringing with her a love for volunteer engagement and community empowerment. She comes from a long background in volunteer recruitment and management, having previously coordinated volunteers for Utah Food Bank for almost ten years. Haley holds a Bachelors Degree in Family and Human Development from Utah State University, and her subsequent experience with volunteers at various nonprofits has developed her passion for “helping people help people.” She also has a history of her own vision impairment, including corrective surgery for childhood amblyopia, which makes the Friends for Sight mission dear to her heart.
Malory Pinder
Preschool Screening Coordinator
Malory graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health Education from Utah Valley University. As a recent intern for Friends for Sight, she assisted with preschool, young adult and adult vision screenings. Malory schedules and oversees preschool screenings in Utah County and counties south. For the majority of her life Malory has had glasses or contacts and understands the importance of eye health. Malory brings her passion for improving public health, vision and working with young children to the team.
Eliza Joy Evans
Program Coordinator
Eliza recently received her Bachelor’s Degree from Utah Valley University where she studied Political Science with an emphasis on public law and philosophy. She has worked previously in various different fields, including recently in the mental health field where she found her passion for helping others and becoming an advocate for those who need one. Eliza believes that “the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing,” and sees Friends for Sight as an organization that emulates work worth doing. She is excited to work closely with volunteers and to help grow our outreach to help more people.