Deborah Conley is a Colorado native, and former University of Colorado runner. She was a walk-on athlete, coached by Jerry Quiller, and member of the first women’s Cross Country team to win a conference title. As a master runner, she has been on multiple Cross Country teams that have medaled at USATF Cross Country National Championships and USATF National Club Cross Country Championships.

She was the president and founder of Lending Sight, an organization that provided guides, athlete and guide development, as well as travel at no charge to visually impaired athletes in need. Lending Sight widened the opportunity and acceptance of running for VI (visually impaired) as a viable option for all ages and abilities. Lending Sight moved the sport forward by providing high performer runners as guides which allowed visually impaired athletes to perform at their highest level. Ultimately, the visually impaired runner can only perform as fast as the guide. The World Games and Paralympics running events now award medals to both guide and VI athlete. Lending Sight created a precedent for races to waive registration fees for guides.

She was honored with numerous awards including: (2012) Pacesetter Award in appreciation of contributions in the field of Quality of Life, presented by Daily Camera, (2012) Boulder Chamber of Commerce Women Who Light the Community, and (2013) Sportswoman of Colorado - Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award in recognition for developing the sport of VI running. She developed running and swimming tethers, for visually impaired athletes, which are manufactured to her exact specifications and sold world-wide. In 2020, she was inducted into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame.

For many years, Deb coordinated the visually impaired runners in the annual Cherry Creek Sneak Race in Denver. She helped register the VI runners, transport them to the event, organize prior to the event and lead them to the start line. She originated the idea of allowing the VI runners to have a separate start option, which was implemented with the coordination of the Downing Group (race organizers). Deb has been interviewed on the local news several times at the Cherry Creek Sneak. Lending Sight also played a critical role in the development of Achilles International Chapters in Colorado.

Deb spearheaded the Instep Real Women, Real Fast masters racing team and created Boulder Olympic Day held in conjunction with the Boulder Road Runners all comers track and field meet. She is very proud to have guided the first visually impaired athlete in a USATF Cross Country National Championship meet and to have changed the Boston Marathon registration process for mobility impaired athletes meeting qualification standards.

Deb currently serves on the board of directors at Center for People with Disabilities.