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Pittsburgh, PA [Feb. 9, 2026] — Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (WPSBC) is pleased to announce three new appointments to its board of trustees.

Dr. Alexander J. Anetakis, MD, MBA, is a vitreo-retinal surgeon who completed his training in 2006 and was initially in private practice in South Carolina for two years prior to joining University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Department of Ophthalmology in 2008. He has special interests in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and diseases of the vitreo-retinal interface. In addition to his work as a vitreo-retinal surgeon, Dr. Anetakis was recruited to join UPMC Enterprises, the venture capital arm of UPMC, in March 2018, and serves as a senior advisor to the Translational Sciences team at UPMC Enterprises, with a focus on ophthalmology-related investments.  Dr. Anetakis received his Doctorate of Medicine from Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine and completed his Masters of Business Administration at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.

Mark S. Lewis is Chief Executive Officer of POISE Foundation. He has held this role since 2002. Mark’s enthusiasm for philanthropy has led to his success not only in his day-to-day career, but also to his active involvement in numerous charitable organizations throughout Pittsburgh. Mark brings with him an extensive background in accounting (BA, Michigan State University) and financial auditing (Price Waterhouse, Ernst & Young LLP), as well as a deep love of Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. As a Pittsburgh native, Mark has, in addition to his professional career, demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to community service. Mark’s civic and philanthropic involvement includes service with numerous organizations and initiatives, including the Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise, the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Support America’s Teachers, and the Carlow University President’s Advisory Council. He also co-founded the African American Funders Group, played a key role in founding the Sankofa Fund of Southwest Pennsylvania, and is a co-founder of the Black Equity Coalition. Mr. Lewis resides in Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Michelle. They have three adult daughters and three grandchildren.

Karen A. Reinsel is a seasoned technology executive and board leader with experience in governance, strategic planning, and community engagement. She has a strong record of helping mission-driven organizations turn vision into action through effective oversight and results-focused leadership. Karen previously served in Enterprise Sales at ServiceNow, where she led strategic engagements across the Ohio Valley region. A top-performing executive, she drove millions of dollars in sales across more than 50 organizations in healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, and higher education. Earlier in her career, Karen worked in healthcare information technology, management consulting with Deloitte, and leadership roles within several technology startups. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business with a concentration in Management Information Systems from California State University, Fullerton.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome three outstanding new members to our Board of Directors,” says Dr. Rebecca Renshaw, Executive Director. “Each brings valuable experience, fresh perspectives, and a deep commitment to our mission. Their leadership will strengthen our ability to serve students and families, and we are excited about the impact we can make together.”

Founded in 1887, the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children provides individualized educational, medical, and therapeutic services to infants, children and young adults with blindness and visual impairment. Many students at WPSBC are challenged by multiple complex disabilities in addition to blindness. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 230 enrolled students from 33 counties. Programming is provided through on-campus school programs, A Child’s VIEW inclusive childcare, Learning Adventures for the Visually Impaired (LAVI) Adult Program, Residential Program, and Outreach Services.

The Mission of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is to nurture the unique abilities of individuals with blindness and visual impairment through educational excellence and a lifetime of learning.

We envision Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children as a global leader in education and advocacy for individuals with blindness and visual impairment.

Katie James

Director of Communications

(412) 621-0100 x1309