The moment Michael Hess stepped onto a technology sales floor as a blind professional, he knew the path forward wouldn’t be traditional. Instead of conforming, he chose to transform. Now, as the founder and executive director of the Blind Institute of Technology (BIT), Hess has made it his mission to reengineer access to opportunity for individuals with disabilities—and in doing so, reshape how corporate America views inclusion.
The last three years have marked a profound expansion for BIT. What started as a grassroots initiative has evolved into a nationally recognized force for workforce equity. Hess’ team has grown its partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, placed countless professionals in high-value roles and created tailored programs to help businesses recruit, retain and elevate talent from the blind and disabled communities. His leadership is not just visionary—it’s operational, tactical and deeply personal.
Hess didn’t simply build an organization. He cultivated a movement rooted in lived experience. After spending two decades in the tech sector, he recognized a painful gap: systemic barriers that prevented highly capable professionals with disabilities from being seen, heard and hired. Instead of accepting the status quo, he founded BIT to break it. His journey from being overlooked to becoming an industry consultant and national speaker is a testament to resilience and strategic brilliance.
At BIT, the future of work is not just anticipated—it’s being shaped. Hess leads efforts to ensure emerging technologies, particularly in AI and cloud platforms, are accessible and inclusive from the start. He trains teams to design with empathy, upskills job seekers for tomorrow’s roles and ensures that accessibility isn’t an afterthought but a driving force in innovation.
To keep his fire lit, Hess focuses on impact. Hearing a client’s success story or watching a once-doubtful company become an advocate for accessibility reignites his purpose. His ability to maintain that passion stems from his deeply held belief: inclusion isn’t charity—it’s a business advantage.
If Hess could instantly master a skill, it would be advanced communication. For him, refining the way ideas are shared can dismantle assumptions, open doors and accelerate cultural change. The right message at the right time can rewrite the trajectory of someone’s life.
Among his many accolades, being named a First-Year Titan 100 Honoree is an acknowledgment of how far Hess has carried this mission. He’s guided BIT through exponential growth while staying rooted in service. More than 1,200 professionals have directly benefited from BIT’s programs, and the organization continues to redefine what equity looks like in hiring, retention and leadership development.
For Hess, the greatest accomplishment isn’t a single award or milestone—it’s seeing people who were once excluded thrive in careers that honor their abilities. His story is proof that when one person dares to challenge the limits, they light the way for thousands more to rise.
