As she glided across the ice to the beat of Queen’s “I Want to Break Free,” the crowd cheered. For Lisha Pottackal, skating isn’t just a pastime — it’s her passion and a source of immense joy.
At a recent Special Olympics competition, Lisha was the only blind skater performing, completing lunges, bends, and the bunny hop with guidance from her coach and noisemakers placed along the ice.
A native of Long Island, New York, Lisha moved to New Jersey at 18 and now lives in Cherry Hill. She and her younger sister, Sena, both have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye condition, but neither has allowed it to hold them back.
Determined to live independently, Lisha pursued higher education and a successful career. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University and recently completed her MBA online through Louisiana Tech University. Professionally, she has built a background in project management, finance, and accounting, with roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Philadelphia, Amtrak, and Comcast. Her long-term goal is to land a supervisory position.
“I enjoy helping people develop themselves, motivating them, and giving them a nurturing environment,” she says.
During the pandemic, a recommendation from the nonprofit Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired introduced Lisha to the American Council of the Blind (ACB).
“I first joined ACB Crafters and then started going on community calls,” she recalls.
That initial involvement led to deeper connections. After completing the ACB Mentorship, Access, and Peer Support Program (MAPS) — now known as the INSPIRE Mentoring Program — it was Kenneth Semien who helped connect her with the New Jersey Council of the Blind (NJCB). Today, she serves as Second Vice President of her state affiliate, as well as on the NJCB convention and scholarship committees. She’s also active in her local chapter, the Mercer County Association of the Blind.
Lisha discovered ACB Next Generation after attending the affiliate’s second virtual birthday party in 2022.
“I like being around all of our members,” she explains. “I found out about the committees and felt like the Membership Committee suited me well. It’s harder to attain leadership positions, so ACB NextGen is great in that it’s giving younger people opportunities.”
Her continued involvement with ACB has brought both personal and professional growth to her life.
“It provides a place for connection for people who have similar interests or stories,” she says. “Instead of trying to figure out things on our own, it gives people a place to go to learn and meet others. I had a life before ACB. After I joined, I got my job, my degree, and got my own place.”
Outside of her leadership work, Lisha enjoys a range of creative and athletic pursuits. She first took up ice skating around age 10 and recently returned to the ice to compete. She also enjoys crocheting and knitting blankets and is an active member of Blind Information Technology Specialists, reflecting her interest in technology.
Even with her full schedule, Lisha strives to stay grounded and focused on what matters most.
“One day at a time — focus on what you’re doing today,” she says.