The Guiding Eyes for the Blind Graduate Council consists of Guiding Eyes graduates who vary in age, lifestyle, and occupation. Shared amongst this far-reaching group is a deep commitment to Guiding Eyes and a strong desire to give back to the school. A council member serves a term of three years. A selection committee chooses three new members every spring. If interested in applying to be a graduate council member, or learning more about what the responsibilities entail, please contact Melissa Carney, Community Outreach and Graduate Support Manager, at mcarney@guidingeyes.org or GradCouncil@guidingeyes.org.
The member bios can also be found in a downloadable Word document, available here.
Community Outreach & Graduate Support Manager and Council Staff/Liaison
Melissa Carney is the Community Outreach and Graduate Support Manager with Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She graduated cum laude from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A in English and Psychology, and has extensive professional knowledge in disability advocacy, communications, and community engagement. Melissa is currently partnered with her first guide dog, an 11-year-old male yellow Labrador named Aron. They have been a team for 10 incredible years. Melissa loves Aron’s intelligent, driven, and affectionate personality. He is quick on his paws in harness, but an expert snuggler on the couch.
As a fellow Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate, Melissa is passionate about peer-to-peer support throughout all stages of the guide dog journey. Melissa oversees a variety of client-focused initiatives, including:
In her free time, Melissa enjoys cooking, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and participating in outdoor activities such as horseback riding, skiing, and standup paddleboarding. She is always up for a new adventure.
Contact Melissa and Aron
White Plains, New York
Email: mcarney@guidingeyes.org
Phone: 914-243-2244
Kathy Nimmer is a life-long high school English teacher, writer, mentor, and motivational speaker living in West Lafayette, Indiana. She is also the recipient of the 2026 Helen Keller Achievement Award from the American Foundation for the Blind. Other professional experiences have included numerous fascinating opportunities that she has always considered doorways of service to others. Kathy has been a proud guide dog handler since 1996 and has partnered with five dogs, three from Guiding Eyes including her current black lab, gentle giant Tate. After retiring early from k-12 education in December 2024, Kathy is embracing more time to pursue her passions, including public speaking at a variety of conferences and events around the country, working on a third book, and serving as an elder in her church. Some of her favorite pastimes include reading mysteries, making jewelry, and following sports.
Contact Kathy and Tate
West Lafayette, Indiana
Email: kathynimmer2015@gmail.com
Graduate Council Vice President
Macy is an energetic musician and scholar dedicated to spreading disability awareness and advocating for accessibility. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Arkansas and is currently pursuing a master’s in horn performance at Western Michigan University. While obtaining her master’s, Macy serves as a graduate assistant for the music department and an academic mentor for the university-wide Mentoring for Success Program.
When she is not studying and practicing, Macy enjoys listening to music, reading, cooking, and visiting new coffee shops. She loves cracking jokes, exploring new places, and being with friends.
Macy was matched with her first guide dog, Kurt, in January 2023 and is excited to be a member of the Guiding Eyes Graduate Council. She loves to travel and hopes to provide resources that will assist other handlers planning trips abroad. She enjoys meeting other members of the blind community and looks forward to chatting with recent graduates about their experiences with their new guides.
Contact Macy and Kurt
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Email: macy.nicole.james@gmail.com
Graduate Council Corresponding Secretary
Caitlyn Laster is a writer, scholar, and proud disability advocate. She is pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing, Fiction at Pacific University and will graduate in June 2026. She was matched with her second guide dog, Rory, in 2024 and couldn’t ask for a better creative muse, coffee shop companion, sunbathing buddy, or supporter of shenanigans.
Caitlyn writes under the pen name Cheyenne Raine, and her work recently appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Solstice Literary Magazine. She strives to center marginalized voices and challenge stereotypes through storytelling. She is honored to serve as Graduate Council Corresponding Secretary and hopes to foster community and connection.
Contact Caitlyn and Rory
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Email: caitlyn.c.laster@gmail.com
Graduate Council Recording Secretary
Paulina Vazquez is a graduate student at California State University, Los Angeles, pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication Studies with a specialization in organizational communication. Having held many leadership roles, she currently serves as the Chair of the Events Committee for the Environmental Justice Club and is proud to bring her experience to the Graduate Council. Paulina is a dedicated, compassionate, and empathetic leader who focuses on fostering inclusion; she has even partnered with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to lead campus presentations on guide dog education. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in organizational communication to transition into university teaching and professional consulting.
Paulina’s journey is shared with her first guide dog, Ophelia, also known as Ophie. A hard-working and focused partner on campus, Ophelia is a bubbly girl known for her signature wagging tail and happy spirit. When she is “off-duty,” she is a cherished member of the family who loves playing fetch and getting plenty of belly rubs.
Based in Los Angeles, Paulina balances her academic drive with a love for landscape photography, content creation, and traveling. She stays grounded through regular meditation, journaling, and reading, finding constant inspiration in the outdoors and quality time with her friends and family. Paulina looks forward to working on the council and serving the Guiding Eyes community.
Contact Paulina and Ophelia
Los Angeles, California
Email: paulinav557@gmail.com
Mariana lives in Miami with her second guide dog, a yellow lab named Einstein. His name truly fits him—he’s such a smart boy! Mariana and Einstein love being out and about. Whether exploring hiking trails, paddling in a kayak, heading to the beach, finding new restaurants, or checking out fun spots around town, they’re happiest when they’re on the move together. Mariana and Einstein have been a team since February 2022, and Mariana has been part of the Guiding Eyes community since 2019, when she was matched with her first guide, Hodge.
Mariana recently completed her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at UMass Boston and is now a Vocational Rehab Counselor for the Division of Blind Services.
Mariana is passionate about helping others along their own journeys to greater independence and fulfillment. She cares most about building community and encouraging adventure—especially when it comes to living life fully with guide dogs. Mariana helped create resource guides for graduates in recreational areas such as hiking, navigating amusement parks, cruising, and traveling by train. She’s all about finding ways to get out, explore, and have fun. Being part of the community means so much to Mariana, and she’s always up for connecting or swapping fun stories.
Contact Mariana and Einstein
Miami, FL
Email: mcanalizo14@gmail.com
Alex received his first guide dog, Ballou, in November 2022. He was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and received his B.A. in Mathematics from Wake Forest University. Alex was diagnosed with uveitis when he was 14 years old. His vision slowly declined for 19 years, but he lost the remainder of his sight 3 years ago due to uveitis and glaucoma. Alex moved to New York City in 2015 once he stopped driving. Alex worked at a media agency where he has spent the last eleven years doing national television buying for Subway and General Motors. He is moving back to Atlanta and starting graduate school in the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program at Mercer University in the Fall of 2026. He is also passionate about stand-up comedy, playing cards, fishing, going to concerts and the Atlanta Braves! Alex is grateful for everything the Guiding Eyes community has done for him. He is excited to continue serving on the Council and looks forward to making more new friends!
Contact Alex and Ballou
New York, New York
Email: alexreese518@gmail.com
Izzy Bailey resides in Maine’s Kennebec Valley, alongside her guide dog, Bright, her husband, and many other critters. In January 2025, Bright became Izzy’s first guide dog, joining her in exploring Maine’s beautiful landscapes through activities like paddle boarding, canoeing, and hiking. Bright has seamlessly integrated into a lively pack that includes two English Setters and a Basset Hound.
Izzy is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work from the University of Maine, with concentrations in Disability Studies and Gerontology. She hopes to study the intersection of aging, disability identity, and age-friendly communities.
Beyond her studies, Izzy is dedicated to advocating for accessibility and outdoor equity. She serves on the Nature Based Education Consortium’s Outdoor Equity Working Group and contributes valuable insights as a board member for MOBALE, an adaptive sports camp for blind and low vision youth in Maine.
Izzy enjoys foraging and growing her own food, attending local live music shows, and contra-dancing.
Contact Izzy and Bright
Fairfield, Maine
Email: dearizzybailey@gmail.com
Anthony resides in North Tonawanda, New York, which is between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. He received an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, and currently works as an Appliances Specialist at Home Depot, having formerly owned a small trucking company and a small retail store. Anthony enjoys volunteering at his local fire department, bowling, tinkering with old cars and attending various car shows, and camping with his family at their summer home on weekends.
Anthony was previously teamed up with his first guide dog, Lindsey, a female Yellow Lab, who recently retired. Lindsey, whose nicknames are Lindsey Girl or Lindser, enjoyed sunbathing, fly catching, and chilling out on Anthony’s bed whenever possible. Lindsey was Anthony’s Home Depot store mascot, and was loved and admired by everyone who saw her. Anthony is excitedly awaiting his next match.
Guiding Eyes is truly a life-changing organization, and Anthony is honored to help anyone he can through his experiences, advice, or just being an ear to anyone who needs it throughout the journey. It is Anthony’s pleasure to have the opportunity to serve on the Graduate Council.
Contact Anthony and Lindsey
North Tonawanda, New York
Email: AParise613@gmail.com
Dishon “Shon” Spears was partnered with his first Guiding Eyes for the Blind guide dog, Rogue, in the summer of 2025. Rogue is his fourth guide dog and his first female guide dog. Prior to Rogue, Shon worked with three wonderful dogs from other programs: Franklin, a yellow Labrador Retriever; Randall, a German Shepherd; and Pax, also a German Shepherd.
Shon and Rogue live in Littleton, Colorado, where they enjoy taking walks and spending time together as a team. Rogue is an important part of Shon’s growing family, which includes his wife, Jennifer, his 10-year-old son, Mason, and the newest family member, Madison, who is almost two months old.
Professionally, Shon serves as an Older Blind Specialist at the Colorado Center for the Blind, where he has worked for nearly nineteen years. He is passionate about helping seniors adjust to vision loss and gain confidence in independent living skills. He especially enjoys supporting individuals as they learn to use iPhones, travel safely with a white cane, and develop cooking and household management skills.
This is Shon’s first term serving on the GEB Graduate Council. He is honored to support fellow graduates and help strengthen the Guiding Eyes community. He looks forward to connecting with many of you through phone calls, emails, and future events.
Contact Dishon (Shon) & Rogue
Littleton, Colorado
Email: dishonspears@comcast.net
