Michael Hingson

President, The Michael Hingson Group, Inc.

Michael Hingson Bio, June 29, 2024.pdf
Michael Hingson, blind since birth, was born in Chicago to sighted parents who believed in raising their
son with a can-do attitude. Treated like all other children in his family, Michael rode a bike did advanced
math in his head and learn to read and write – Braille that is! Michael’s family relocated to the warm
Palmdale area of California when he was five years old. It is here that Hingson had his first adventure
with Guide Dogs for the Blind and received his first guide dog. He later went to college receiving a
bachelor’s and master’s degree in Physics along with a secondary teaching credential from the
University of California at Irvine.
Michael then enjoyed a nearly-30-year career working for high tech companies spending most of his
time in management roles.
Michael Hingson’s life changed dramatically on September 11, 2001 when he and his guide dog, Roselle,
escaped from the 78th floor of Tower One in the World Trade Center moments before it collapsed. Soon
after, Michael and Roselle were thrust into the international limelight where Michael began to share his
unique survival story and 9-11 lessons of trust, courage, heroism, and teamwork.
Mike has served as The National Public Affairs Director for one of the largest Nonprofit organizations in
the nation: Guide Dogs for the Blind; He serves as the vice president of the National Association of Guide
Dog Users; Michael holds seats on other agency boards including the Fort Worth Lighthouse for the
Blind, the Earle Baum Center for the Blind and the Colorado Center for the Blind; Michael is The
National Ambassador for the Braille Literacy Campaign of the National Federation of the Blind. He is the
Founder of the Roselle’s Dream Foundation - helping the blind obtain the technology they need to not
only excel in school and at work, but to live out their dreams!
Until October 2019 he worked as the CEO of the Do More Foundation, the non-profit arm of Aira Tech
Corp, a manufacturer of assistive technology which makes a revolutionary visual interpreter for blind
people. In January 2021 Mike joined accessiBe as its Chief Vision Officer to help advance the company
goal of making the entire internet fully inclusive by 2025. AccessiBe provides an artificial intelligence-
based product that makes web sites accessible to all persons with disabilities.
He is the author of the #1 New York Times Best Seller: “Thunder dog –The True Story of a Blind Man, a
Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust” – selling over 2.5 million copies Worldwide. In 2014 Mr. Hingson
published his 2nd book “Running with Roselle”- which Is the first of its kind- A story for our youth
shedding light on one of Americas Darkest Days. Mr. Hingson’s third book, “Live Like A Guide Dog”, will
be released on August 20, 2024. This book shows readers how they can learn to control fear and not, as
Mike would say, “become blinded by fear in the face of crisis”.
In June, 2024 Mike was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the honors fraternity as an alumni member.
Aside from his talents and advocacies, Mr. Hingson has traveled the Globe from Japan to New Zealand,
the Netherlands to his hometown, Chicago. Speaking to some of the world’s most elite: from former
President, George W. Bush to Larry King, to Fortune 500 companies and colleges and Universities
Nationwide. After sharing his story of survival on hundreds of TV and Radio programs, Michael is now an
Expert hired by many of today’s major corporations and organizations. Speaking and consulting on the
importance of Teamwork and Trust, Moving from Diversity to Inclusion, as well as offering Adaptive
Technology Training – spearheading innovation for ALL! - Thus, bringing organizations to the forefront of
the ever-changing competitive modern world.