As Executive Director for more than 20 years, Joanne Angle led ARVO through an unprecedented period of growth to a scope that is now truly worldwide. Joanne had a clear understanding of the importance of translational research, and without her support and leadership, Translational Vision Science and Technology would not exist.
Joanne was an excellent listener, a strategic thinker, and a consensus builder. She established the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research, vigorously promoted advocacy for funding vision research, and created robust links between ARVO and vision research communities based throughout the world. As a result of the latter efforts, scientists hailing from diverse locales across the globe publish their work in ARVO journals. We all benefit from ARVO's global reach as do many patients with visual disabilities.
I will remember Joanne as a kind, thoughtful, quiet individual who always put the mission first and who drew more satisfaction from seeing a job well done than receiving recognition for any part she may have played in the accomplishment. Joanne will have a lasting positive impact on our society through the work she did at ARVO, and I count myself as one, among many, who will miss her.