Management & Board of Directors - Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Board of Directors

The Guiding Eyes team is dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission of connecting exceptional guide dogs to individuals with vision loss for greater independence. Meet our Board of Directors.

Management

Thomas Panek President & CEO
Visit Tom’s Executive Profile

Susan Ludwig Controller
Kathryn Zubrycki Vice President of Training Programs

Jane Russenberger Senior Director of Genetics and Breeding
Janine Petroro Director of Human Resources

Development

Gail Resnikoff Director of Planned Giving
Elena Consalvo Senior Director of Development
Rebekah Cross Special Gifts Officer

Rana Liebert Foundation Relations Officer
Bill Totten Director of Digital Marketing

Training, Admissions & Student Services

James Gardner Director of Home Training
Ellin Purcell Director of Specialized Training
Gerald Brenninkmeyer Director of Canine Program Development

Marianne Coiro, R.N., Lead Nurse Student Health Services
Ben Cawley Director of Training
Nick Lehrer Residential Services Manager

Jessy DiNapoli Director of Admissions

Veterinary Services

Dr. Beth Brenninkmeyer, DVM Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr. Shannon Matthies, DVM Staff Veterinarian
Valerie Quick Training School Kennel Manager

Dr. Rachel Albert, DVM STAFF VETERINARIAN
Dr. Marla Nance, DVM STAFF VETERINARIAN

Guiding Eyes Canine Development Center

Maria Lazzaro Director of Operations, CDC Campus
Kerry Lemerise Puppy Program Manager
Jennifer White Whelping Kennel Manager

G-Lee Bridges Early Socialization Manager
Ellen Mitchell Volunteer Services Manager
Dell Rodman Director of Operations, Canine Development Center

"Sharon admits that letting go is difficult, but s

Say hello to Haskell, a beautiful black lab who is

Say hello to Haskell, a beautiful black lab who is this week's Transformation Tuesday. Swipe ⬅️ to see Haskell all grown up as a working guide dog!
Haskell trained with first-time handler LucyAnna, a retired Special Ed teacher, in our November 2019 residential class. Walking with Haskell for the first time was a moving experience for LucyAnna: “The highlight for me was definitely my first walk with Haskell; it was life-changing. I went back to my room and just cried because it was just so freeing. It was an amazing moment.”⠀
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Picture Description: ⠀
[1] Black lab Haskell is pictured as an adorable puppy sitting on the wooden porch steps while wearing a pink bandana patterned with hearts. ⠀
[2] LucyAnna & Haskell’s official graduation photo, with Haskell looking very professional in his leather guide dog harness.⠀
Photo Credit [1]: @kflint_92⠀
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#DogsWithJobs #GrowingPup #PuppyObsessed #GoodBoysOfInstagram #CharityTuesday #GoodNewsTues #MansBestFriend #MustLoveDogs #GoodDog #GuideDogs #LoveOn4Paws #GuidingEyesForTheBlind #GuideDog #AssistanceDogs #WorkingDogsOfInstagram #FromPuppyToDog #ServiceDogsOfInstagram #LabsDaily #InspiredByDogs #WeDontDeserveDogs #DailyDogs #DogsMakeEverythingBetter #HappyDogHappyLife #puppytodog

Nero learned a trick perfect for these hot dog day

Nero learned a trick perfect for these hot dog days of summer! ?☀️
Video Description:
Nero's raiser holds out a watermelon rind mask with 3 holes cut out - 2 for the eyes and a larger hole for his muzzle. Yellow lab Nero steps forward and places his head in the mask with his tail wagging.
Video Credit: @gebmanny_1m319
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#DogDaysOfSummer #OutdoorsWithDogs #DogsOfSummer #DogsInTheSun #WhosAGoodDog #DogsWillBeDogs #BoopMySnoot #WatermelonDog #GoodPupper #InstagramPup #SuperDog #GuidingEyes #DogDays #BestDog #DailyDog

Today, we celebrate all the dads in our community

Today, we celebrate all the dads in our community ❤️⠀
Happy Father's Day from Guiding Eyes from the Blind!⠀
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Photo Description: Guiding Eyes stud Carlos, a black lab, lays in the grass beside two of his puppies who visited for home socialization - yellow lab Morton and black lab Marianne.⠀
Picture Credit: Kaitlin Nolan / @carlostheblacklab⠀
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#FathersDay2020 #FathersDay20 #PawPals #DogDad #Pawrent #OutdoorDogs #Pawsitivity #LifeAndDog #Pawfection #Pawesome #GuidingEyes #TheDailyBarker #DogsOfIG #DogFather #DogsOfTheDay #PuppyGram #TheDogFather #PuppyEyes #OneHappyDog #DogAndDad #LivingTheDogLife #GuideDogPuppies #happyfathersday2020

We are excited to share the thank you video we cre

We are excited to share the thank you video we created for our friends in the Roots and Shoots Club at Burr Elementary School in Fairfield, Connecticut. Club members worked hard throughout the year to fundraise for our mission, and we are so grateful for this continued partnership! This year, their donation was put toward the cost of care for our dogs that are in temporary foster homes while our kennels are closed due to the spread of COVID-19.

Video Description: [1] "From all of us at Guiding Eyes for the Blind..."
Yellow lab Paco sits on the bridge while wearing his leather guide dog harness.
"Thank you to the Burr Elementary Roots & Shoots Club!"
[2] "You worked hard to raise $2,018.60 for our guide dogs!"
Three yellow labs and one black lab sit on the wooden deck and wait until the trainer throws many balls up into the air in the grassy yard. The dogs leap off the deck and run to grab a ball.
[3] "And then the Coronavirus pandemic arrived in New York, Connecticut, and all over the world..."
A yellow lab lays curled up on his or her white fleece bed.
[4] "All of the Guiding Eyes dogs in-training had to go to foster homes with the loving families of volunteers and staff."
Multiple labs pose in a group on the brick platform in the backyard of a trainer's home.
[5] "Thanks to your hard work, the $2,018.60 you raised has helped these special dogs stay happy and healthy!"
Black labs play in a light pink baby pool on an enclosed driveway. One pup enjoys digging the water in the pool. The dogs are joined by the staff member's pet golden retriever.
[6] "So they can one day help a person who is blind, and they will have lots of adventures together!"
Two yellow labs and one black lab play tug with a recycled firehose toy in the yard of a staff member.
[7] "Thank you from all the dogs of Guiding Eyes for the Blind!"
A group photo of three yellow labs and one black lab surrounded by bags of kibble and a bin full of new toys. In the background is a white sign with a red heart that contains the text, "Thank you!"
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#RootsAndShoots #BurrElementary #FairfieldCT #GuideDog #CommunityService #ChangeMakers #GuideDogs #DogsWithJobs #FairfieldConnecticut #GuidingEyesForTheBl

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