Paths to Purpose: Growing Careers from Within

At Envision, employment isn’t just about having a job. It’s about building a future. Work here is a pathway to independence, leadership and purpose. For employees who are blind or visually impaired, career growth means more than promotions or new skills; it’s about rewriting the story of what opportunity looks like when barriers fall away. 

Across every department, team members are proving that talent, drive, and vision, not sight, define success. These are stories of people who aren’t just advancing their own careers but also expanding what’s possible for the communities they represent. 

From Camper to Caregiver: Madison’s Journey Comes Full Circle 

For Madison Kester, Envision isn’t just an employer. It’s part of her personal story. 

Madison’s journey began when she was seven years old, attending Heather’s Camp and assistive technology programs as a child who is visually impaired. “I met Teresa during one of our mock interview sessions,” she said. “That experience really stuck with me.”  

She joined the ECDC team in 2019 as an early childhood educator and now serves as the lead teacher in the infant room. Her journey has since expanded into a second role providing home-based support to families navigating vision loss for the first time. 

“Sometimes it’s the family’s first experience with a visual impairment,” she said. “I grew up around it, so being someone they can come to for support or advocacy means a lot to me.” 

For many families, Madison represents both expertise and lived experience, someone who bridges uncertainty with hope. She envisions building the home-based program into something larger, with more events and touchpoints for parents across the region. 

“I love working with the kids, but being there for the families is really important to me.” 

Her story is more than career growth; it’s a living example of how Envision creates pathways that come full circle, transforming childhood experiences into lifelong service. 

New Role, New Impact: Keela Alonzo Brings Representation to the Classroom 

After four years on the sewing floor, Keela Alonzo is stepping into a whole new space and purpose. 

Keela first joined Envision’s manufacturing team after spending over 20 years as a stay-at-home mom. “We saw a friend post about working at Envision on social media,” she said. “We applied and moved here just for the opportunity.” That leap set her on a journey she couldn’t have imagined, one that now positions her to influence a new generation. Quickly, she became a key part of the sewing department, where she helped produce military uniforms used by servicemen and women across the country. 

Keela is training to become an early childhood educator at the Envision Child Development Center in Dallas, splitting her time between sewing and the classroom. What excites her most isn’t just teaching, it’s representation. 

“I’m especially excited to work with the blind children,” she said. “I want to show them it’s OK to be blind and that they can succeed too.” 

Her presence redefines expectations, not only for students but also for parents. 

“It’s a connection I can have with the parents that no one else can unless you’ve lived it,” she said. 

Hannah Christenson, Director of Community Services said, “Keela is a role model. When parents see a confident, capable blind adult caring for their child, it redefines what they believe is possible. That’s powerful.” 

Keela’s career growth is more than a new role. It’s a ripple effect of empowerment that reaches children, families and the wider community. 

Breaking Barriers: Esmeralda Paugh Finds Her Voice and Her Path 

When Esmeralda Paugh moved from the Envision Call Center to the Operations team, she wasn’t just changing jobs. She was stepping into a goal she had set months earlier and proving that perseverance pays off. 

She first joined Envision in the early days of the Call Center, when it operated under Bold Sales Solutions. After returning in 2021, she quickly rose into a team lead role supporting the 311 contract. She had already set her sights higher, and when a role in Operations opened in 2024, she was ready. 

Now serving as a Purchasing Assistant, Esmeralda supports departments across Dallas by sourcing vendors, managing purchase orders and helping teams secure the materials they need to keep services running. 

“One day you’re helping ECDC get classroom supplies, the next you’re finding a part to keep production going,” she said. “It’s satisfying to know I played a part in making that happen.” 

Her success isn’t just her own. It’s a reflection of Envision’s culture of seeing potential first. She credits her mentors and teammates for helping her learn quickly, and she’s proud of how far she’s come. “At Envision, you’re seen for your potential, not your disability,” she said. “Here, growth doesn’t just feel possible. It feels like a reality.” 

Esmeralda is already looking ahead: “I want to be a Director someday. Maybe even an executive. I want to help shape the future of this company and show that BVI employees can lead.” 

Her journey is proof that employment at Envision isn’t about limits. It’s about momentum, about giving people the tools and the belief to rise into leadership and beyond. 

Madison, Keela and Esmeralda represent three different journeys, but they share one truth: employment at Envision is not just work. It is empowerment. By investing in employees who are blind or visually impaired, Envision is advancing careers and rewriting what opportunity looks like. These stories are proof that when barriers are removed and potential is believed in, people build futures that transform not only their own lives, but also their families, communities and the mission we serve.