Hello Guiding Eyes Graduates,
We would like to formally introduce you to the 2025-2026 Graduate Council members! These individuals were selected from a highly qualified pool of individuals based on their desire to support fellow graduates in a meaningful way. While I can commend their tremendous passion, empathy, drive, diversity, etc., I think the below bios speak for themselves. Please join me in congratulating our newest members and welcoming our returning members for their second or third year on the Council.
Melissa CarneyCommunity Outreach and Graduate Support Mgr.
Kathy Nimmer is a life-long high school English teacher, writer, mentor, and motivational speaker living in West Lafayette, Indiana. Her professional experiences have included numerous awards and opportunities that she has always considered doorways of service to others. She 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 welcoming more time to pursue her passions, including serving Guiding Eyes on the Graduate Council. Some of her favorite pastimes include reading mysteries, making jewelry, following sports, and working as a part-time interim preacher at her church.
Izzy Bailey and Bright
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 partner, 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 holds an undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Maine at Farmington and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maine. She aims to specialize in disability adjustment counseling, offering support and guidance to those exploring a disabled identity.
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.
Anthony is the proud handler and teammate of his first guide dog, Lindsey, a female Yellow Lab. They have been a team since August 2024, and reside in North Tonawanda, New York, which is between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
Anthony 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.
Lindsey, whose nickname is Lindsey Girl or Lindser, enjoys sunbathing, fly catching, and chilling out on Anthony’s bed whenever possible. Lindsey is Anthony’s Home Depot store mascot, and is loved and admired by everyone who sees her.
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.
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 in May and will begin pursuing a master’s in horn performance at Western Michigan University in the fall. While obtaining her master’s, Macy will serve 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 this year. 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.
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 is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at UMass Boston and completing her internship with the Florida Division of Blind Services, where she has learned a ton, and loved the hands-on experience.
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.
Pam is currently working with her third Guiding Eyes dog, Mary. Mary follows in the footsteps of Kirstie, Pam’s first guide dog, and Maida, her first running guide. Pam and Mary were matched in April of 2023 and reside in Ardmore, PA where they live with her husband John and son JT.
Pam serves as Chief Development Officer at the American Foundation for the Blind. She also enjoyed a long career as a Paralympic track athlete, so enjoys all things athletic, especially running, weightlifting, and hiking.
Pam welcomes graduates to reach out if she can be of assistance or if looking for ideas or tricks of the trade as a running guide team. She believes working together will strengthen the community as well as allow each person to grow individually.
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 recently due to uveitis and glaucoma. Alex moved to New York City in 2015 once he stopped driving. Alex works at a media agency where he has spent the last 9 years doing national television buying for Subway and General Motors. 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!
Ashley Townsend Tavera is working with her second guide dog, first from Guiding Eyes, Lolly—formally known as Ms. Pop. They were matched in May of 2022, and Lolly has been infusing every aspect of Ashley’s life with joy and freedom ever since. Lolly is an exuberant black lab running guide who is bright and adventure-loving—and has a reputation for being the perfect combo of goofball and genius.
Ashley and Lolly live in Denver, Colorado and enjoy traveling, navigating the hustle and bustle of the city, and hiking in the beautiful mountainous terrain. Their little family consists of Ashley and her husband Matt, Lolly, and Maya the calico cat. Ashley’s interests include singing, all things music and theater, playing with animals, cooking, and being outside. She works as both a licensed clinical social worker and transformative coach with a passion for working with individuals with complex trauma in her own private practice. As a licensed therapist and guide dog handler, Ashley is passionate about the journeys of gratitude, grief, and growth that all graduates face with their guides. She is here to support you in your journey as it unfolds.
Ashley is honored to serve her final year on the Graduate Council and to be a part of the Guiding Eyes family! She can’t wait to get to know everyone and hopes that graduates will reach out anytime!
Jose Lopez Masso, MBA, JD, serves as Vice President of Public Affairs & Government Relations at Lighthouse of Broward, where he leads advocacy efforts, strengthens relationships with government and community partners, and advances public policy initiatives supporting individuals who are blind or visually impaired. He also plays a key role in elevating the organization’s visibility and strategic impact throughout the region.
Jose is proud to call himself a member of the GEB family since 2002, when he received his first guide dog, Clemens, a remarkable black lab who helped him reclaim his full independence and dignity as a human being. In 2014, he was blessed with his second guide, Hartley, a powerful guide with a strong personality who always reminded Jose that while he may be the handler, he was still in control. In 2022, Louis came into Jose’s life—the most loving and gentle guide, with a magical combination of responsibility and commitment to guide, while still keeping his personality as the biggest goofball in the world.
Despite his blindness, Jose is an active leader in his community. He was the first blind person to attend and graduate from Leadership Broward. In 2014, his personal story—from sight to blindness—was featured by Telemundo-NBC and earned a Regional Emmy Award. He also serves as a volunteer board member on Royal Caribbean’s Advisory Board on Disabilities.
Born in Venezuela, Jose lost his sight shortly before relocating to South Florida from Berlin. Before that, he served for five years as Head of the Venezuelan Diplomatic Mission in Germany, where he oversaw the transition of the embassy from Bonn to Berlin following German reunification. He also served as Sub Secretary of Justice for Venezuela and as a legal advisor to the president of the Venezuelan investment fund.
Jose was raised primarily in Germany, where his father served as Venezuelan Ambassador to East Germany. Jose holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the Business School of Hamburg, and a Juris Doctor in International Private Law from Universidad Santa María in Caracas, Venezuela.
Jose is fluent in English, German, and Spanish. He lives in Deerfield Beach, Florida, with his wife Carla, their daughter Andrea Marie, and his third guide dog, Louis.
