ABOUT US
For over 30 years, The Vision of Children Foundation (VOC) has funded research to find cures for hereditary childhood blindness and genetic vision disorders.
The Vision of Children Foundation (VOC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Diego. Our work has far-reaching impact. Over the past three decades, we have funded groundbreaking research around the world, and we have been a driving force in the quest to find a cure for genetically caused eye disorders. We have been able to accomplish all that we have to date, because of the support of our donors and partners.
OUR MISSION
We believe in a future-free from hereditary vision disorders.
Our mission is to cure hereditary childhood blindness and other vision disorders and to improve the lives of visually impaired individuals and their families.
The Founders’ Story
In 1989, doctors predicted a dim future for Sam and Vivian Hardage’s son, who was born with ocular albinism type 1 (OA1), a rare, but debilitating, genetic eye disease.
Ophthalmologists told them that there was “no treatment,” “no cure” and “no hope.” Very little was known about the disorder because few scientists were researching hereditary vision disorders.
So, in 1991, the San Diego couple established the Vision of Children Foundation (VOC) to encourage research and support projects focused on treating and eradicating genetic vision disorders.
Since that time we've been a pioneering force in vision research, setting the stage for what we now know to be a solution to genetic vision disorders. From early, basic science research, the Foundation has evolved into an organization that has driven science to the horizon of actually restoring vision to children who cannot see. Recent studies indicate that combining the power of gene therapy and stem cell therapy can create new pathways for exciting and unusual approaches for the prevention and treatment of blindness in a variety of ophthalmic disorders.
Other goals of the Foundation are to support family members and children with hereditary blindness and fostering communication between researchers all over the world. We have a family network that helps patients and families, provides support and visual aids, and helps find doctors all over the world. We also bring researchers together for regular symposiums, which allow them to share and discuss their findings in a unique, collegial environment that fosters new ideas.
Meet Our Team
Keegan Leopold
Executive Director
Email: Keegan@visionofchildren.org
Keegan Leopold is a dynamic leader with a diverse background spanning education, entrepreneurship, and non-profit management. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of San Francisco. Keegan also holds a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco in Elementary Education and Teaching English as a Second Language.
For over two decades, Keegan dedicated herself to teaching at elementary schools across the U.S. Following the onset of the global pandemic, she pivoted from education to entrepreneurship, co-founding Leo & Loy, a company she started with a longtime friend.
Keegan's passion for serving others led her to pursue non-profit work, where she took on leadership roles, as the Day Camp Director for Girl Scouts of San Diego and previously as the Camp Director and Assistant Family Programming Manager at The Bay Club. Her extensive experience in both education and program management positions her uniquely to elevate The Vision of Children Foundation as its Executive Director, driving its mission to find cures for childhood hereditary blindness and vision disorders.
Outside of her professional commitments, Keegan is an avid soccer player and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her three daughters.
Julie Rausch
Director of Development & Fundraising
Email: Julie@visionofchildren.org
Julie Rausch is a dedicated professional based in San Diego, CA, contributing her expertise to The Vision of Children Foundation. In her role, she brings over 20 years of non-profit experience to help guide the fundraising and outreach of the organization. With a special interest in events and marketing from her first days at the UCSD CONNECT program, her roles continually grew to embrace all aspects of fundraising and managing the business of non-profits.
With a passion for supporting her community, Julie sought out organizations that had a direct impact on improving individuals’ quality of life. She now focuses on engaging communities, fostering family support, and promoting research initiatives to drive the foundation's goals of curing hereditary blindness and vision disorders for millions of people.
Beyond her professional life, Julie likes to spend her time with her husband and playing on the beach with her dog Sophie.
Our Values
The Vision of Children Foundation’s Values:
Commitment
We believe that all children should have the opportunity to see clearly.
Excellence
We are personally accountable for producing superior quality work.
Passion
We are determined to find cures for genetic vision disorders.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of integrity in managing all of the Foundation's activities.
Teamwork
We partner with key supporters to achieve our goals.
Respect
We value people's contributions and show appreciation for our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, researchers and partners.
The Board of Directors
-
![]()
Samuel A. Hardage
Chairman, Co-Founder
President & CEO
Hardage Hospitality, LLC.
-
![]()
Vivian Hardage
Co-Founder
Board Member
Community Volunteer
-
![]()
Debora B. Farber, Ph.D., D.Ph.h.c.
UCLA Stein Institute Distinguished Professor
Ophthalmology Karl Kirchgessner Chair
Ophthalmology Member, Stein Eye Institute, Brain Research Institute, Molecular Biology Institute
-
![]()
Richard Alan Lewis, M.D., M.S.
Scientific Advisor
Professor (tenured) Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Ophthalmology, Medicine, Pediatrics, and The National School for Tropical Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
-
![]()
Jacqueline Johnson, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Sydnexis Inc
Del Mar, California
-
![]()
Dan Gil, Ph.D.
Vice President,
CEO, Pelage Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Los Angeles, California
Venture Partner, Visionary Ventures Fund
Aliso Viejo, California
-
![]()
Greg Ostrow, MD FAAO FAAP
Director,
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Scripps Clinic
San Diego, California
-
![]()
Richard A. Schatz, M.D.
Research Director,
Cardiovascular Interventions
Scripps Clinic
La Jolla, California
-
![]()
Ken Widder, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Sydnexis Inc.
Del Mar, California
DID YOU KNOW?
Historically, genetic eye disorders have been under-funded and under-researched.
Research funding and the health community have focused on decreasing the incidence of blindness caused by malnutrition, diseases and premature birth. However, inherited eye diseases causes more than 60% of cases of blindness among infants. There are hundreds of genetic vision disorders and incidence rates vary widely.
Community Advisory Board
This diverse group of leaders generously volunteer their time to provide a crucial link between the Foundation and the community. They help build Vision of Children’s capacity to serve by providing expert advice and guidance.
Their primary responsibilities are to assist with the development of VOC events, programs and resources to help fulfill the foundation’s mission during the upcoming year. The group draws upon their wide variety of experiences and connections to create new fundraisers, partnerships, and advancements to benefit those affected by visual impairments.
Vivian Hardage
MJ Wittman
Lisa Laikind-Stennes
Amy Myers
Jacki Johnson, Ph.D.
Annie Finch
Carol Sciotto
Rosalie Gerevas
Maureen McMahon
Lynne Wheeler
Ginger Levy
Tamara Lafarga-Joseph
Zarah Meyer
Jamie Carr
Maria Delgado
Juanita Hayes
Maggie Bobileff
Kristi Pieper
Melissa D’Amour
Karolyn Dorsee
Donna Vance
Nancy Burney
Jeri Yacovelle
Stephanie Friedrich
Dr. Sandra Coufal, MD
Kirstjen Nielson
Marian Benassi