Management & Board of Directors - Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Board of Directors

Officers

Chair – John L. Donnelly
Vice Chair – Curt J. Landtroop
Treasurer – Matthew E. Zames
Assistant Treasurer – Susan Ludwig, ex-officio
Secretary – Jane Adams
Assistant Secretary – Laura Peterman, ex-officio
President & CEO – Thomas A. Panek, ex-officio

Directors

Eduardo Andrade
Wendy S. David
David Fein
Sue Kelsey
Eli Manning
Jane C. Parker

Andrea Redmond
Cory Shields
Thomas McC. Souther
Cindy Sullivan
Dr. Gaurang Trivedi
Patricia David

Management

Thomas Panek President & CEO
View Thomas’ 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

Elena Consalvo Chief Development Officer
Gail Resnikoff Director of Planned Giving
Rebekah Cross Donor Relations Officer

Rana Liebert Foundation Relations Officer
Bill Totten Director of Digital Marketing

Training, Admissions and Student Services

Jessy DiNapoli Manager of Admissions
James Gardner Director of Home Training
Ellin Purcell Director of Specialized Training

Gerald Brenninkmeyer Director of Canine Program Development
Stephanie Fedele, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager Student Health Services
Ben Cawley Director of Regional Training Programs

Veterinary Services

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

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

Canine Development Center

Maria Lazzaro Breeding Kennel & Brood/Stud Program
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

❗ Giving Tuesday 3X Match Extended Through Midni

❗ Giving Tuesday 3X Match Extended Through Midnight ❗
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Because hitting this $150,000 goal is so important for our work to raise, train and pair our guide dogs with the people who need them most, our generous donors have offered to extend this rare TRIPLE MATCH opportunity until midnight tonight (12/1)!
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It’s not too late to help make a life-changing difference for people with vision loss, so if you didn’t have a chance to donate on Giving Tuesday, now is the perfect opportunity to triple your support. Donations made through our website (link in bio) as well as on Instagram & Facebook both count towards the match.
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Picture Description: Helga, a female black lab puppy, sits on the wooden porch and curiously tilts her head up at the camera. Helga wears a blue Guiding Eyes Puppy Program bandana around her neck.
Photo Credit: @science_sniffers
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#WoofWoofWednesday #PuppyWithAPurpose #Pawtastic #GuidingEyesPuppy #WetNoseWednesday #DailyDoseOfDog #FutureServiceDog #GuideDogPup #WoofWednesday #GuidingEyes #WaggingWednesday #PupWithAPurpose #FutureGuideDog #RaiseAPuppyChangeALife #SDiT #WagginWednesday #PupLife #DogTime #GoodDoggo #PuppyInTraining #GuideDogPuppy

"There is a wonderful, almost mystical, law of nat

"There is a wonderful, almost mystical, law of nature that says three of the things we want most—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are always attained when we give them to others. Give it away to get it back." -John Wooden
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Happy Giving Tuesday, friends! Here at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, we remain as committed as ever to raising and training world-class guide dogs to create confident, happy guide dog teams. We offer these vital services at no cost to our students, and it is only through your generous support that we can continue to give the life-changing gift of a Guiding Eyes guide dog.
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Performing this work requires substantial resources, so in honor of Giving Tuesday, a generous group of donors is matching all gifts 3X, up to $150,000, but only if you give today. We are so grateful for this match opportunity, and we are counting on your support. Donate now on Instagram or by clicking the link in our bio to TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT to help us raise and train more guide dogs.
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Picture Description: Three yellow lab guide dogs, Merlin, Waylon, and Oxford, lay together on the stone walkway in Mount Kisco, NY. All three dogs wear a leather guide dog harness and look attentively toward the camera.
Photo Credit: @zoeandthepeach
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#CharityTuesday #WorkingDogsOfInstagram #GoodNewsTues #GivingTuesday2021 #MountKiscoNewYork #GivingTuesday21 #GuideDogInTraining #GuidingEyesForTheBlind #GuideDogsOfInstagram #DogsWithJobs #MountKiscoNY #GuideDogsOfInsta #ServiceDogsOfIG #SocialGood #ServiceDogInTraining #AdorableDogsOfInstagram #FutureGuideDogs #PupsWithAPurpose #ServiceDogs #WorkingDogsOfIG #GivingTuesday

As someone who co-produces a podcast about living

As someone who co-produces a podcast about living with vision loss, I think and talk a lot about what it’s like to live without sight. And let me share something with you that most people in my community agree on: Life is better with a guide dog.
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Before I had my guide dog Nutmeg, I relied on a cane to get around, and that was a very different experience. For one thing, a guide dog is a better conversation starter. Not many people comment on how cute your cane is! Even better, Nutmeg helps me live with a lot more freedom and independence than I would if I only relied on a cane. One of my friends put it best: “The cane is an obstacle identifier, but a guide dog is an obstacle avoider.”
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As a busy economics major in college as well as a podcaster, I don’t have time for obstacles – so I’m very grateful to have Nutmeg by my side.
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That’s why I’m reaching out today. My life has improved in so many ways since I started working with Nutmeg, and I want other people to experience this same transformation. In honor of Giving Tuesday, all gifts made through tomorrow (11/30) will be TRIPLED - up to their $150,000 goal to raise more guide dogs and partner them with the people who need them most. You can donate through the link in the @guidingeyes bio.
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I can’t thank Guiding Eyes enough for partnering me with Nutmeg. With your support, more people like me will share the same joy.
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Sincerely,
Cole & Guiding Eyes Nutmeg
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Picture Description: Cole stands on the nature path at the Guiding Eyes Training School Campus with his guide dog Nutmeg, a female yellow lab, at his side. Nutmeg looks up at Cole to "check-in", while Cole smiles for the camera.
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#GoodDogsOfInsta #LifeWithDogs #GuideDogsOfIG #DogWithAJob #DogsOfInsta #PupLife #DogOfInsta #RuffPost #GuideDog #AssistanceDog #GuidingEyes #OneHappyDog #GuidingEyesDog #ServiceDog #DogsMakeMeSmile #DogNation #GivingTuesday21 #GivingTuesday2021 #DogsOfInstagram #TheWoofDaily

My guide dog Tilly is like a family member at home

My guide dog Tilly is like a family member at home and a best friend at school. When she is in harness, it’s time to go to work, but she’s always ready for playtime after a long day on campus. All my classmates know Tilly because Guiding Eyes for the Blind came to teach them about guide dogs when she first started coming to classes with me.
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Thanks to Tilly, I can be a lot more independent than I otherwise would be. She already helps me travel between home and campus, and I look forward to sharing more adventures with her in the years to come.
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I can’t say enough about the whole team at Guiding Eyes for the Blind – they worked so hard to help Tilly and me get comfortable with each other and learn to work together as a team. My experience was so positive, and I want other people like me to have the same opportunity – because I’ve seen how life-changing it can be.
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That’s why I’m reaching out today. Giving Tuesday is coming up. It’s one of the most important days of the year for organizations like Guiding Eyes for the Blind, so I wanted to let you know about a special opportunity. To help raise, train and partner more guide dogs with the students who need them most, a generous donor is triple matching all gifts (up to $150,000) through Giving Tuesday. Donate by clicking the link in our bio.
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Thank you so much for supporting guide dog teams.
It means a lot to us!
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Keanu & Guiding Eyes Tilly
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Picture Description: Keanu smiles while posing for his official team portrait with his black lab guide dog, Tilly. Tilly, wearing her bright yellow & orange Unifly harness, looks attentively toward the camera while in a sit position beside her new handler.
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#GivingTuesday21 #GuideDogLife #GivingTuesday2021 #GreatDog #WorkingPup #GuideDogsOfInstagram #GuideDogs #ServiceDogsOfInstagram #GuidingEyesForTheBlind #ServiceDogTeam #WorkingDogsOfInsta #GiveLoveGetLove #WeDontDeserveDogs #AwesomeDogs #ItsADogsLife #OhMyDoggies #GoodDogsOfInstagram #HomeIsWhereTheDogsAre #Barking_News #LifeIsBetterWithADog

Happy Thanksgiving! We are delighted to share a sp

Happy Thanksgiving! We are delighted to share a special message from graduate team Erik & guide dog Raffi:
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I’m able to feel free, confident, and independent every day thanks to Guiding Eyes for the Blind and my wonderful new guide dog Raffi. Raffi is my second guide dog from Guiding Eyes; we live in Austin with my retired guide, Poco. And in honor of Thanksgiving, let me spell out for you exactly what else Guiding Eyes makes me feel:
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Guiding Eyes makes me feel gratitude – for the GENEROSITY of sponsors and donors; for the RESPONSIVENESS, APPRECIATION, and TEAMWORK of staff that make the programs possible; for the INTEGRATION of skill and safety in training; for the TIME that volunteers graciously provide; for the UNCONDITIONAL love and DEDICATION of everyone involved; and, last, for the ENRICHMENT of lives with vision loss like mine that the program provides.
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Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving,
Erik & Guiding Eyes Raffi
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Picture Description: Erik waits at the curb in New York City while training with his guide dog Raffi, a yellow lab in a blue Ruffwear UniFly harness. Erik and Raffi both happily smile toward the camera.
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#ThankfulForDogs #Thanksgiving2021 #GuideDogTeam #WorkingDogsOfIG #GuideDog #WeDontDeserveDogs #Thanksgiving21 #FourLeggedFamily #DogThanksgiving #DogsMakeLifeBetter #ThankfulThursday #TheLoveOfADog #TurkeyDay21 #HomeIsWhereTheDogsAre #WorkingDogsOfInsta #GuideDogLife #LifeIsGoodWithDogs #GuideDogsOfIG #TurkeyDay2021 #DogCommunity #AssistanceDogsOfInstagram #WorkingLabrador #GuidingEyesDog

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