Cindy Watson, President and CEO

Cindy Watson is the first blind female President & CEO of Vibrant Works, one of Texas’s largest military apparel manufacturers, where nearly half of the 450 employees are blind or vision impaired. She is driven by a mission to expand opportunity, foster upward mobility, and model what’s possible through inclusive leadership.

With more than 20 years of executive experience, Cindy has held leadership roles at organizations including The Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle), Envision Dallas, IFB Solutions, and the American Foundation for the Blind. She brings a unique blend of strategic insight, operational excellence, and deep personal commitment to empowering people with disabilities.

At Vibrant Works, Cindy has led initiatives to diversify product lines, develop career pathways for employees who are blind and low-vision, and position the organization for long-term growth. Under her leadership, the company received the 2022 Employment Growth Award for Large Nonprofits.

Cindy serves nationally as:

· President, National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB)

· Board Member, National Industries for the Blind (NIB)

· Member, U.S. AbilityOne Commission Technical Compliance Council

· Governor appointed Texas Purchasing from People with Disabilities Advisory Committee Member

She has received numerous awards including the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance Executive of the Year, San Antonio Business Journal Diversity & Inclusion Award, San Antonio Business Journal Impact Award, and DiversityFIRST Corporate Leadership Award.

Outside of work, Cindy finds balance through cheering on her two sons, being at the beach, finding fashion at Nordstrom and the occasional skydiving adventure.