Don Barclay, a financial executive with over 30 years of experience in the corporate and non-profit sectors, joined RestoringVision in January 2022.
Prior to joining RestoringVision, Don was the Chief Financial Officer of Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), a New York-based not-for-profit organization. Don was responsible for the overall financial management of AFA, directing the financial reporting including the annual audit, budget, implementing internal controls, and overseeing the investment and reporting of the AFA endowment funds.
Don began his career in the corporate world working for Price Waterhouse. Don subsequently joined Bessmer Trust Company, working on financial planning for high-net worth individuals. For the following 15 years, Don had a similar role as the Chief Financial Officer for Keswick Management Inc., a New York-based family office with extensive financial investments and three private family foundations. Don holds a B.A. in accounting from Hofstra University.
What do you enjoy most about your work at RestoringVision?
Helping others to help themselves. RestoringVision is a unique charity, one that empowers individuals to help themselves. Individuals, who due to loss of vision, doubted their self-worth because they could no longer perform everyday tasks or skills, are rejuvenated when RestoringVision provides them with eyeglasses. I feel joy when I witness those individuals correct their vision, restore their inner pride, and perform those tasks and skills once again.
Why is this work important to you personally?
It is important to give back. I am fortunate to have the resources to provide for my family. Others simply don’t have those resources. To whom much is given, much will be required. It is important to me to be part of an organization that provides eyeglasses to individuals in impoverished communities.
Who inspires you most and why?
Selfless people. I am always impressed by those individuals who put the needs of others before themselves. I am fortunate during my lifetime to have intersected with many of these selfless individuals. Their enthusiasm for helping others is contagious. I am inspired by the volunteers of RestoringVision in their quest to deliver eyeglasses to those in need and ask nothing in return. Their actions and kindness inspire me to be better.
What are you most looking forward to in your role at RestoringVision?
Being part of a team that is hard at work to solve the global vision crisis. It has been my experience during my career, that many donors appreciate when donated funds are utilized to empower individuals to help themselves. RestoringVision provides that opportunity to donors. I look forward to helping RV obtain those donor funds to expand RV programs.
What do you do in your free time when you’re not solving the global vision crisis?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and new granddaughter. I love riding my bike to the many beaches on Long Island. I am also a big fan of the New York Mets and New York Jets who have forever taught me to be an eternal optimist and that eventually good things will happen!