Penny Forward Team

Chris Peterson AFC, Founder and CEO

Chris was born blind and raised with the expectation that he’d lead a successful life. He has a Bachelor’s in computer science from Southwest Minnesota State University, a Master’s in software engineering from the University of Minnesota, and has worked as a software developer for IBM, Lenovo, and Thrivent Financial.

Throughout his adult life, Chris has learned a great deal about managing his finances, mostly from accidental successes and mistakes he has made along the way. In 2020, he decided to make it his mission to teach other blind people some of the things he had to learn the hard way. Knowing he couldn’t do it alone, he began building Penny Forward, a community of people who are blind, their families, and friends, who share his interest in financial independence.

Penny Forward’s mission is to help people build the knowledge to confidently navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance through education, mentoring, and mutual support.

Liz Bottner CVRT, CATIS, Vice President

Liz Bottner is the vice president of the Penny Forward board of directors and the co-host and co-producer of the Penny Forward podcast. She is a certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS) and Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT), Liz credits her initial interest in the blindness rehabilitation field to those positive blindness rehabilitation professionals she had in her life early on who helped set her up for success in terms of being able to effectively navigate through the world despite having vision loss.

She received her Master’s degree in Blind Rehabilitation Teaching with a specialization in Assistive Technology from Northern Illinois University and currently workas as an Assistive Technology Specialist for the Library of Congress (National Library Service).

When she is not working, Liz enjoys reading, traveling (New York City is a much favored destination) and being active. She enjoys running (with and without her Guiding Eyes Running guide dog) and serving as goalie in playing blind hockey, especially for the Hartford Braillers-Connecticut’s blind ice hockey team.

Kane Brolin CFP, CHSNC, Member

For more than 20 years, Kane has owned and operated Brolin Wealth Management, a financial planning and investment management business based in Mishawaka, Indiana, located not far from The University of Notre Dame. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional and has earned the Chartered Special Needs Consultant ®designation as well.

Having been totally blind since infancy, Kane is thankful for the early introduction of Braille into his life, as well as for the consistent drumbeat from parents, peers, and professors which set and reinforced continuously high expectations.

Kane and his wife Danika are the adoptive parents of four children and are active in several civic organizations, as well as their place of worship.

Giving back is one of Kane’s highest priorities. Kane is a co-founder of the Michiana Chapter within the Indiana State Affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, and he was elected treasurer of the Indiana affiliate in October, 2021.

Throughout communities in North-Central Indiana and Southwestern Michigan, Kane and his colleagues enthusiastically spread the good news of Braille, emphasize the importance of financial literacy, and demonstrate that the training, tools, and positive attitude that enable us to raise our expectations are within reach to all who persistently seek them.

Catherine Getchell, Volunteer, Career and Higher Education Counseling

Catherine Getchell has been the Director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Office of Disability Resources in Pittsburgh, PA since 2016. She develops and implements accommodation plans for students and advocates for greater accessibility, disability awareness, and universal design across the CMU campus community. Prior to working at CMU, Catherine served as a Counselor and District Administrator for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for over twelve years. She is an experienced counselor in the areas of career exploration, job search, and navigation of the accommodation process in higher education.

Catherine has been totally blind since birth. She has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Yale University and a master’s in rehabilitation science from the University of Pittsburgh. When not at work, she enjoys playing the trumpet in Pittsburgh area musical ensembles, studying Arabic and Hindi, and spending time outdoors.

Jenny Holcomb

Jenny is a benefits planner. She is a certified Social Security Work Incentives Practitioner. This means she navigates the sometimes complex bundles of disability benefits from SSDI, SSI, HUD housing, SNAP, transportation,  Medicare, and Medicaid, for disabled persons who are working or intend to work.  Jenny’s adult onset blindness was sudden and unexpected. As a non-practicing attorney, she has been surprised to learn how difficult it can be for a blind person to access accurate information about ensuring medical and financial stability as a working person. Jenny is a benefits planner to provide a more confident and secure journey for workers who are disabled.

Jenny lives in Colorado with her husband, JD. She enjoys crafting; stone-carving;making ceramics, fiber art, and tactile graphics; traveling; speaking; and, reading. Jenny volunteers with the NFB and Whiz Kids. She is a graduate of the Colorado Center for the Blind, Kansas State University, Washburn University School of Law, and Cornell University Work Incentives Practitioner Certificate course.