Experience

RestoringVision

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Nov 2022 - Present

  Pelin Munis serves as the Chief Executive Officer of of RestoringVision, having joined the organization in January 2015 as the Executive Director. She was appointed to the Board of Directors in May 2021 and as CEO in November 2022. Under her leadership, RestoringVision has experienced rapid global expansion as its vision programs have grown from 70 countries to more than 144 countries since she joined the organization. With Pelin at the helm of RestoringVision, the organization… Show more Pelin Munis serves as the Chief Executive Officer of of RestoringVision, having joined the organization in January 2015 as the Executive Director. She was appointed to the Board of Directors in May 2021 and as CEO in November 2022. Under her leadership, RestoringVision has experienced rapid global expansion as its vision programs have grown from 70 countries to more than 144 countries since she joined the organization. With Pelin at the helm of RestoringVision, the organization now reaches 3.5 million people a year living on less than $2/day with its vision services and eyeglasses, with a growth trajectory poised to reach 10 million people annually. In 2022, Pelin was honored as Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optical for these achievements.

• Executive Director

  • Jan 2015 - Nov 2022

  The lack of access to vision care and eyeglasses is one of the biggest global health problems affecting over 1B people and impacting their health, education, work, and quality of life. The lack of access to eyeglasses also impacts the economy at a projected global loss of $272 billion annually. Studies show that by providing eyeglasses, a person’s productivity increases 35% and income by 20%. For someone earning $2 a day, that is $140 a year. For every 1M glasses distributed, the result is an… Show more The lack of access to vision care and eyeglasses is one of the biggest global health problems affecting over 1B people and impacting their health, education, work, and quality of life. The lack of access to eyeglasses also impacts the economy at a projected global loss of $272 billion annually. Studies show that by providing eyeglasses, a person’s productivity increases 35% and income by 20%. For someone earning $2 a day, that is $140 a year. For every 1M glasses distributed, the result is an increase of $140M of additional income annually. The vision crisis is a global health issue that is solvable, and RestoringVision is at the forefront of this. Its programs are implemented with an unparalleled network of more than 3,000 NGOs and governments. Its in-country programs are scaling to reach more people, and its teams are collaborating with leaders of the public and private sectors. For more information or to join RestoringVision, visit restoringvision.org.



Mischa International, LLC

• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder and CEO

  • Jul 2009 - Dec 2014

  Pelin was the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer at Mischa International, LLC, an exclusive distributor of Zeki Resortwear for the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. As a Ph.D. applied psychologist with interest in global business, Pelin started her company, Mischa International, in 2009. Within two years, she launched the brand in eight markets, including four exclusive markets, growing global sales significantly. The brand, Zeki, was established in… Show more Pelin was the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer at Mischa International, LLC, an exclusive distributor of Zeki Resortwear for the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. As a Ph.D. applied psychologist with interest in global business, Pelin started her company, Mischa International, in 2009. Within two years, she launched the brand in eight markets, including four exclusive markets, growing global sales significantly. The brand, Zeki, was established in 1958 and was one of the leading women's resortwear brands in the world with a production capacity of over 1M. Four women designers created collections of 600 unique pieces annually. The brand owned and operated 23 stores in its domestic market and 17 franchised stores throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Working closely with the factories and the markets in which she operated fueled her passion for international economic development and the advancement of women globally. Show less Pelin was the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer at Mischa International, LLC, an exclusive distributor of Zeki Resortwear for the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. As a Ph.D. applied psychologist with interest in global business, Pelin started her company, Mischa International, in 2009. Within two years, she launched the brand in eight markets, including four exclusive markets, growing global sales significantly. The brand, Zeki, was established in… Show more Pelin was the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer at Mischa International, LLC, an exclusive distributor of Zeki Resortwear for the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. As a Ph.D. applied psychologist with interest in global business, Pelin started her company, Mischa International, in 2009. Within two years, she launched the brand in eight markets, including four exclusive markets, growing global sales significantly. The brand, Zeki, was established in 1958 and was one of the leading women's resortwear brands in the world with a production capacity of over 1M. Four women designers created collections of 600 unique pieces annually. The brand owned and operated 23 stores in its domestic market and 17 franchised stores throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Working closely with the factories and the markets in which she operated fueled her passion for international economic development and the advancement of women globally. Show less



US Department of Justice, Center for Court Innovation, and Marga Incorporated

• NY, DC, FL

• Senior Consultant

  • Jan 2008 - Dec 2009

  Served as a lead consultant and site director for a program funded by the Department of Justice and implemented with the Center for Court Innovation in New York to identify and address human trafficking. A large-scale, multi-site evaluation was conducted to assess program impact and identify intervention strategies and policy implications. Served as a lead consultant and site director for a program funded by the Department of Justice and implemented with the Center for Court Innovation in New York to identify and address human trafficking. A large-scale, multi-site evaluation was conducted to assess program impact and identify intervention strategies and policy implications.



Departments of Health and Education

• DC and FL

• Post Doctorate Associate, Policy and Program Evaluation

  • Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  Conducted evaluations of federal and state funded programs serving exceptional students and programs designed to increase student outcomes and parent involvement in student education. Programs were funded through both the Department of Health and the Department of Education. Conducted evaluations of federal and state funded programs serving exceptional students and programs designed to increase student outcomes and parent involvement in student education. Programs were funded through both the Department of Health and the Department of Education.