[Mission Driven Series] Mary Jane Surrago's 50-Year Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Storytelling

Mary Jane Surrago is assistant secretary emeritus of the Board of Directors for National Industries for the Blind (NIB), a nonprofit that creates and sustains employment for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. She retired in February 2025 after 50 years of service and received NIB's highest honor, the R.B. Irwin Award. Over her career, Mary Jane held leadership roles in administration, governance, communications, and rehabilitation services. She also authored Empowering People: The Story of National Industries for the Blind, in honor of the organization's 75th anniversary in 2013. In this episode… For many professionals, a long career is defined by titles and achievements. But what does it look like when a career is defined by unwavering dedication to mission and service? Mary Jane Surrago spent 50 years at National Industries for the Blind (NIB), shaping its communications, governance, and storytelling while supporting its mission to create employment opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. Along the way, she led milestone initiatives like NIB's 50th anniversary campaign, authored the organization's official history, Empowering People, and was recently honored with the R.B. Irwin Award, the highest recognition NIB bestows. Her journey reflects the power of combining professional excellence with a deep commitment to creating an impact. In this episode of Mission Driven, a special series of the Heard and Empowered podcast, NIB President and CEO Soraya Correa sits down with Mary Jane to reflect on her five decades of service. Together, they explore the lessons learned from a lifetime of leadership, the evolution of NIB's mission, and the advice Mary Jane offers to those pursuing meaningful, mission-driven careers.