Leadership
Tania Isaac-Dutton
Executive Director Tania Isaac-Dutton is a founding board member of Blind Fitness, bringing a wealth of experience in leadership, advocacy, and inclusive programming. Committed to accessibility and community engagement, she is dedicated to furthering Blind Fitness’ mission—creating opportunities for the blind and low-vision community to lead active, healthy lives. Isaac-Dutton succeeds Brianna Pettit, who has transitioned into a new board role after her instrumental work in founding and growing the organization. Originally from Los Angeles, Tania and her husband moved to Santa Barbara ten years ago, leaving behind the entertainment industry to become a 200 E-RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher), who specializes in Accessible and Therapeutic Yoga and embodied energy practices. A dedicated advocate for inclusion, she served as an early ambassador for Accessible Yoga and played a key role on the logistics team for its first and second annual conferences. She later co-founded a social justice group that facilitated community discussions on topics such as racism, economic disparity, LGBTQ+ rights, ableism, and more. She believes that fostering dialogue and cultivating community are essential to breaking down stereotypes and increasing awareness. With her deep-rooted passion for accessibility and connection, Tania is committed to strengthening Blind Fitness and ensuring its continued growth and impact. |
Mission Statement:
Blind Fitness is dedicated to empowering people who are blind or have low vision through sports, recreation, and physical activity while educating the public of their abilities. What does fitness mean to Blind fitness?
At Blind Fitness, we approach fitness holistically: addressing each individual at the level of mind, body, and spirit. By offering access to the outdoors and nature, participants are able to deepen their connection with self and thereby increase their own mental wellness. Fitness is the ability to move freely and explore the world. What is Orientation and Mobility?
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training helps people with vision loss find their way and keeps them active. O&M training develops effective orientation skills— the ability to identify surroundings, and mobility— the ability to get from one location to another safely and efficiently. O&M training is one-on-one and supports individuals with a wide spectrum of vision loss in taking adventures either alone, using a white cane, a human guide, or with a guide dog. Who Benefits from Blind Fitness Services and Trainings?
Individuals of all ages and all levels and stages of vision loss can benefit from fitness, recreation, and physical activity. We also educate community members, organizations, caregivers, family members and friends to learn how to best support the blind and low vision community and increase awareness of their abilities. We teach human guide techniques and best practices when engaging with someone with vision loss. |
Board of Directors
Bob Burnham
President/Chairman
Bob was born in Oxnard, California, and has been totally blind since birth from Congenital Glaucoma. Bob was raised by a large, wonderful family and was fortunate enough to be mainstreamed from nursery-school, through elementary, junior high and Oxnard High School, and a proud graduate of the Class of 1970. Bob attended Westmont College from 1971 through 1975, receiving two bachelor’s degrees in English Literature and Sociology. He began his gainful employment at the Independent Living Resource Center as Disabilities Advocate from October 1978 through May 1979. Then, through prayers and good luck, he began 32 happy years at Santa Barbara MTD, June 1979 to May 2011. His jobs at MTD ranged from Customer Service, PR, Marketing, and primarily as Dispatcher for 25 years.
Bob has served in music ministry in various churches from May of 1969 to the present. He has been honored to serve on various committees and boards, including the Santa Barbara Transportation/Circulation Committee, the Citizens’ Housing Task Force, and most recently on the Santa Barbara Access Advisory Committee. Bob is happily married to Patty Neumeyer, since July 1983, celebrating 40 years this summer.
Bob believes Blind Fitness is creating a real, first-time outlet for people who are blind and visually-impaired to engage in healthy and fun activities, most or all of which have not been offered to them before. Many blind people have been or are sheltered and over-protected from living normal, full lives. Blind Fitness reaches out to those people, as well as to those who are processing the painful transition from being fully-sighted to partial sight or total blindness. Blind Fitness also provides the opportunity for sighted volunteers to come alongside those of us who are blind, and work with this population possibly for the first time. Bob is honored to be a part of the Blind Fitness community.
President/Chairman
Bob was born in Oxnard, California, and has been totally blind since birth from Congenital Glaucoma. Bob was raised by a large, wonderful family and was fortunate enough to be mainstreamed from nursery-school, through elementary, junior high and Oxnard High School, and a proud graduate of the Class of 1970. Bob attended Westmont College from 1971 through 1975, receiving two bachelor’s degrees in English Literature and Sociology. He began his gainful employment at the Independent Living Resource Center as Disabilities Advocate from October 1978 through May 1979. Then, through prayers and good luck, he began 32 happy years at Santa Barbara MTD, June 1979 to May 2011. His jobs at MTD ranged from Customer Service, PR, Marketing, and primarily as Dispatcher for 25 years.
Bob has served in music ministry in various churches from May of 1969 to the present. He has been honored to serve on various committees and boards, including the Santa Barbara Transportation/Circulation Committee, the Citizens’ Housing Task Force, and most recently on the Santa Barbara Access Advisory Committee. Bob is happily married to Patty Neumeyer, since July 1983, celebrating 40 years this summer.
Bob believes Blind Fitness is creating a real, first-time outlet for people who are blind and visually-impaired to engage in healthy and fun activities, most or all of which have not been offered to them before. Many blind people have been or are sheltered and over-protected from living normal, full lives. Blind Fitness reaches out to those people, as well as to those who are processing the painful transition from being fully-sighted to partial sight or total blindness. Blind Fitness also provides the opportunity for sighted volunteers to come alongside those of us who are blind, and work with this population possibly for the first time. Bob is honored to be a part of the Blind Fitness community.
Headshot of Brianna Pettit
Brianna Pettit
Founder | Board Member
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Brianna Pettit is passionate about giving back to her hometown through her work as the founder of Blind Fitness. With a diverse background in outdoor recreation and a degree in Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Brianna brings a creative and dynamic approach to expanding access to sports and fitness for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
After earning a B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley, Brianna returned to Santa Barbara to help run her family’s local business and began volunteering at the Braille Institute. Her experience there inspired her to pursue a career in O&M, leading her to earn a Master’s in Special Education with a specialization in Orientation and Mobility from Cal State LA.
Brianna began her career as an O&M Specialist at the Earle Baum Center for the Blind in Santa Rosa and later worked at the Braille Institute in Santa Barbara. There, she launched innovative programs including a running club for the blind and an accessible yoga class. In 2020, she helped spearhead the Braille Institute’s first virtual Move-A-Thon, encouraging physical activity within the blind and low vision community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brianna is known for her bold, adventurous, and person-centered approach to O&M training. She describes her style as “Orientation and Mobility with a twist”—empowering individuals to move through the world with greater confidence, independence, and joy.
Founder | Board Member
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Brianna Pettit is passionate about giving back to her hometown through her work as the founder of Blind Fitness. With a diverse background in outdoor recreation and a degree in Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Brianna brings a creative and dynamic approach to expanding access to sports and fitness for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
After earning a B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley, Brianna returned to Santa Barbara to help run her family’s local business and began volunteering at the Braille Institute. Her experience there inspired her to pursue a career in O&M, leading her to earn a Master’s in Special Education with a specialization in Orientation and Mobility from Cal State LA.
Brianna began her career as an O&M Specialist at the Earle Baum Center for the Blind in Santa Rosa and later worked at the Braille Institute in Santa Barbara. There, she launched innovative programs including a running club for the blind and an accessible yoga class. In 2020, she helped spearhead the Braille Institute’s first virtual Move-A-Thon, encouraging physical activity within the blind and low vision community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brianna is known for her bold, adventurous, and person-centered approach to O&M training. She describes her style as “Orientation and Mobility with a twist”—empowering individuals to move through the world with greater confidence, independence, and joy.
Julene Hunter
Treasurer
After retiring from a successful software career and founding two tech companies, Julene refocused her skills to serve nonprofits. She led a non-profit collaborative social service agency in the San Francisco Bay Area as Executive Director, and followed as CEO of an international medical NGO affiliated with Rotary International. She has served on large and small non-profit boards, consulted to several organizations as an interim Executive Director and as a consultant facilitating board retreats, financial best-practices for executives, grant writing seminars and staff management. Her business GoodInk helps small businesses and nonprofits manage the digital age using best practices for finance, outreach, marketing and raising capital.
She is an accomplished artist and graphic designer and keeps a studio in Lake Tahoe where she spends time when not in Santa Barbara.
As an active Delta Gamma alumnae whose philanthropy founded and supports five blind schools and organizations that provide access and advocacy for the visually impaired, she has been informed and dedicated to this community since college at the University of California, Berkeley. She believes sight abilities should not prevent anyone from enjoying outdoor activities and nature. Julene is delighted to help Blind Fitness achieve the goals of providing access to recreational activities while educating volunteers. All of this will build a better community.
Treasurer
After retiring from a successful software career and founding two tech companies, Julene refocused her skills to serve nonprofits. She led a non-profit collaborative social service agency in the San Francisco Bay Area as Executive Director, and followed as CEO of an international medical NGO affiliated with Rotary International. She has served on large and small non-profit boards, consulted to several organizations as an interim Executive Director and as a consultant facilitating board retreats, financial best-practices for executives, grant writing seminars and staff management. Her business GoodInk helps small businesses and nonprofits manage the digital age using best practices for finance, outreach, marketing and raising capital.
She is an accomplished artist and graphic designer and keeps a studio in Lake Tahoe where she spends time when not in Santa Barbara.
As an active Delta Gamma alumnae whose philanthropy founded and supports five blind schools and organizations that provide access and advocacy for the visually impaired, she has been informed and dedicated to this community since college at the University of California, Berkeley. She believes sight abilities should not prevent anyone from enjoying outdoor activities and nature. Julene is delighted to help Blind Fitness achieve the goals of providing access to recreational activities while educating volunteers. All of this will build a better community.
David Hayman
Secretary
David grew up in Southern California, primarily in Carpinteria, where he graduated from Carpinteria High School in 1989. While he has spent most of his life in So Cal, he has also lived in both the Southeast and Northern California. Today, he resides in Carpinteria with his wife of over 18 years, their twin teenage daughters, and a lively household that includes three dogs and two cats.
Professionally, David has over 25 years of experience in the tech industry, holding positions in support, systems administration, marketing, and management with well-known companies like Citrix, Procore, LinkedIn, and ParentSquare.
Outside of his professional life, he's been very involved in the community through the Carpinteria Lions Club. He's been a member of the club for over 6 years, which has included his time as Vice President and President. David’s connection to Blind Fitness began through his involvement with the Lions Club, a global organization dedicated to serving and advocating for the blind and visually impaired since 1925. He’s thrilled to be part of the Blind Fitness community.
Secretary
David grew up in Southern California, primarily in Carpinteria, where he graduated from Carpinteria High School in 1989. While he has spent most of his life in So Cal, he has also lived in both the Southeast and Northern California. Today, he resides in Carpinteria with his wife of over 18 years, their twin teenage daughters, and a lively household that includes three dogs and two cats.
Professionally, David has over 25 years of experience in the tech industry, holding positions in support, systems administration, marketing, and management with well-known companies like Citrix, Procore, LinkedIn, and ParentSquare.
Outside of his professional life, he's been very involved in the community through the Carpinteria Lions Club. He's been a member of the club for over 6 years, which has included his time as Vice President and President. David’s connection to Blind Fitness began through his involvement with the Lions Club, a global organization dedicated to serving and advocating for the blind and visually impaired since 1925. He’s thrilled to be part of the Blind Fitness community.
Lead Volunteer Trainer
Daniel Broz
Lead Volunteer Trainer & Community Outreach Coordinator
A longtime champion of inclusive movement, Daniel brings heart, humor, and a strong background in nonprofit management and grant writing (Loyola Marymount University) to the Blind Fitness team. He’s been with the organization since day one, helping to shape accessible programs and events that celebrate connection—including being the MC at the Spectrum of Sound, one of our most cherished community gatherings.
Daniel is deeply committed to the belief that fitness can be a powerful tool for confidence, connection, and joy. His work is all about making sure everyone feels welcome and supported. He’s excited to keep building a more inclusive world—one step, stretch, and smile at a time.
Lead Volunteer Trainer & Community Outreach Coordinator
A longtime champion of inclusive movement, Daniel brings heart, humor, and a strong background in nonprofit management and grant writing (Loyola Marymount University) to the Blind Fitness team. He’s been with the organization since day one, helping to shape accessible programs and events that celebrate connection—including being the MC at the Spectrum of Sound, one of our most cherished community gatherings.
Daniel is deeply committed to the belief that fitness can be a powerful tool for confidence, connection, and joy. His work is all about making sure everyone feels welcome and supported. He’s excited to keep building a more inclusive world—one step, stretch, and smile at a time.
Volunteer Guide Trainer & Lead Registration Coordinator for the 2025 Santa Barbara Half Marathon & 5K
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Brian Walters is the Blind Fitness Lead Registration Coordinator for the 2025 Santa Barbara Half Marathon and 5K. He first engaged with the blind community after being diagnosed with Glaucoma in 2010 while living and working in London. In 2015, Brian was licensed by England Athletics and British Blind Sport as a guide runner for the blind and vision impaired. He is an experienced distance runner and has completed a long list of competitions, including the Royal Parks Half Marathon, London Marathon, and a three-time finisher of the Santa Barbara Half Marathon. Since returning to Southern California in 2021, Brian, together with Daniel Broz, has led Blind Fitness’s guide runner training program.
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