Joan Hancock grew up in Queens, New York, attended Queens College, and had a successful career in cosmetics industry management before joining the RestoringVision team along with her husband, Steve Hancock. The couple had two boys before moving to Florida. Joan joined RestoringVision to have a positive impact on people in need.
What do you enjoy most about your work at RestoringVision?
I have always had a fascination with Father Damien, a man who dedicated his life to serving others at a leprosy colony in Molokai, which I had the opportunity to visit, and I have also had a fascination with Mother Teresa, as I have visited her convent in Calcutta. When I had the opportunity to make a difference with RestoringVision in a small way, I was influenced by these experiences.
Who inspires you most and why?
I find it amazing working with our partners. They bring such enthusiasm and commitment. I think of them as unsung heroes because they truly walk the walk. I also have had the opportunity to distribute eyeglasses in Haiti, Uganda, and Mongolia and as a result, I know firsthand what a difference they make.
What are you most looking forward to this year in your role at RestoringVision?
COVID was a setback for our partners, and now I am excited about helping them return to the field.
What do you do in your free time when you’re not solving the global vision crisis?
When I am not visiting my three grandchildren, my husband and I enjoy expedition travel such as Antarctica, Mountain Gorillas in Uganda, Orangutans in Borneo, Arctic Polar Bears, and volcanoes in Kamchatka (Siberia).
