Meet the WyCB Officers and Board of Directors
Officers
Cheryl Godley, President, Term 2024-2026
Dr. Cheryl Godley earned a doctorate in Psychology from Colorado State University. She holds Master’s degrees in Psychology (CSU) and in Music Therapy from the University of Miami, Florida. After completing a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral residency, she began private practice in 1996 after establishing Windy Ridge Psychological Services in Casper, Wyoming.
Dr. Godley began losing her vision when she was 17 years old. Dr. Godley believes individuals may overcome their life challenges through self-empowerment and how they choose to live life. Dr. Godley is dedicated to advocating for individuals with all types of disabilities including mental illness. She serves on the Wyoming Statewide Independent Living Council, and participated in an International Psychology project in Cambodia and Vietnam. She wrote a paper, “Assisting Handlers Following Attacks on Dog Guides: Implications for Dog Guide Teams,” published in the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (2011). The paper was presented in New Zealand at the International Mobility Conference and in Paris, France at the International Guide Dog Federation. Her book, “Four Principles for Facing Life’s Challenges” was published in 2019 and is available in audio format from NLS. Dr. Godley became President of the Wyoming Council of the Blind in 2023.
Gary Olson, Vice President, Term 2024-2025
Because I was born two months premature, I had to be put in an incubator. My lungs were not fully developed, and I could not breathe on my own. I remained in the incubator for 55 days. I received too much oxygen, which damaged my retinas and resulted in my becoming totally blind. I have light perception in my right eye, however, and I love being able to see the sun.
After attending the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind for six years, I began attending public school in the fall of 1965 in Cheyenne, where I was born and raised. After graduation, I attended the University of Wyoming and received a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1976. I earned a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling in 1982 from the University of Northern Colorado.
For most of my career, I worked for what is now known as Vision Outreach Services (VOS) under the Wyoming Department of Education as an outreach consultant for the visually impaired. I retired in July 2019 after nearly 26 years with VOS. My wife Ilene and I reside in Powell, where we have lived for a total of 25 years. We have five wonderful children and 16 totally awesome grandchildren. In my spare time, which I have more of these days, I enjoy cutting and polishing rocks, reading novels and listening to classic country music. Occasionally, I play my guitar and sing for Ilene.
Sarah Sexton, Secretary, Term 2024-2026
My name is Sarah Sexton. I am 40 years old and live in Buffalo Wyoming. I have a dog guide named Sunny Boy as well as an eight-year-old son and a loving husband. I currently work at the Buffalo senior center. I have been completely blind since the age of 35. I serve on the board of directors for Wyoming Council of the Blind and greatly enjoy collaborating with other board members on crucial community projects to enrich the lives of those who are low vision and blind in the state of Wyoming.
Tom Smyth, Treasurer, Term 2023-2025
Directors
Sharon Byers, Director, Term 2024-2026
Bonnie Harrison, Director, Term 2024-2025
My name is Bonnie Harrison, and I am married to my wonderful husband, Don. Together, we have a son named Ben.
I am a retired U.S. Air Force service member, having honorably served until my retirement as a Master Sergeant in 2008. Recently, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, though I’ve chosen to embrace and enjoy the opportunities retirement brings.
Currently, I lead an active life as a proud member of the Cheyenne Noon Lions Club and as District Governor of the Lions of Wyoming (serving until July 1, 2026). I am also involved with the League of Women Voters, dedicating my time to meaningful causes and community service.
In my free time, I enjoy playing Duplicate Bridge, knitting, and embroidery.
Sherry Leinen, Director, Term 2004-2026
My name is Sherry Leinen. I am a Past President of WyCB and am currently on the board. I am also in several Wyoming disability advocacy groups. I am a Wyoming native and currently live in Newcastle. I was an early childhood/elementary teacher for over 15 years before I lost my vision and retired early.
I am married and have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I love spending time with my family. We enjoy traveling and taking fun trips together.
My dog Snickers keeps me very busy. We both enjoy long walks and hiking in the country. While hiking in the country I love finding rocks and antique glass. I stay busy woodworking and making wire wrapped jewelry and other crafts with the rocks, antique glass, and sea glass that I have found.
I also love gardening. I have a huge vegetable garden each year and love taking care of the many flowers and plants that I grow inside and outside.
Robin Loen, Director, Term 2024-2025
I was born in Washington State and lived there most of my life. My first move out of state was when I attended Northwest Nazarene College (now Northwest Nazarene University) in Idaho earning my Elementary Education Degree. I worked as a 2nd grade teacher in Jerome, ID for two years. To pursue my plan of teaching the blind I went to the University of Northern Colorado and earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education of the Visually Impaired with an emphasis in Orientation & Mobility (O&M). My first position was in public schools in Western Oregon, where I completed a school year working with children.
In 1989 I relocated to Montana, where I worked for the State teaching O&M itinerantly to blind and visually impaired adults in over a dozen counties. In 1995 I married my husband, Jeff.
In 1997 I returned to Washington State to be closer to aging parents and took a position as a Low Vision Specialist with SightConnection, a private non-profit agency in Seattle. For 17 years I instructed individuals to use their residual vision and aid(s) prescribed by the Optometrist at the agency. My last professional position was a decade with the State of Washington at the Department of Services for the Blind, teaching O&M at the Orientation and Training Center in Seattle. I retired in September, 2023.
In October, 2021 my husband and I visited Cody, WY to attend the Northern Rockies Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (NRAER) conference. We liked Cody and the area and decided to retire here.
Despite retirement, both of us still want to be involved in our careers. My husband continues making and repairing violins. I am a representative in WY and Eastern MT for a business called Vision Matters, offering video magnifiers and text-to-speech devices. In addition, I do contract work for O&M services in WY and Eastern MT. I look forward to serving on the WyCB board.
Debra Thompson, Director, Term 2024-2026
Debra has been blind since birth. She has a degree in Music Education from Oral Roberts University. She lived in California for many years. While there, she worked for the State of CA, and sang with two large local choirs. She was also an active member of her local chapter of the California Council of the Blind. She is now retired, and returned to Wyoming where she is actively involved with Wyoming Council of the Blind. She is active in Music Ministry in her local church. She loves being retired!
Linda Woodruff, Director, Term 2024-2025
