Guiding Eyes for the Blind Welcomes Three New Board Members

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, known around the globe as one of the foremost guide dog schools, is pleased to announce the addition of three new Board members, Jane Parker (of Manhattan), Michael Ryan (of Yorktown) and Matt Zames (of New Jersey). The announcement was made by Wendy Aglietti, chair of Guiding Eyes’ Board of Directors.

Jane Parker is CEO of InterbrandHealth, the health and life sciences division of the Interbrand Group -- the world’s leading branding consultancy. A longtime supporter, Ms. Parker has volunteered her time as an advisor to Guiding Eyes’ corporate giving department. Her previous positions include group president of Grey Healthcare; executive vice president, director of client services at Saatchi & Saatchi Klemtner Healthcare and vice president and general manager for Colgate-Palmolive, where she tripled brand profitability for the division in just two years. Ms. Parker holds a BA in Art History and Economics from Goucher College and has spent time at the Sorbonne in Paris. She is a trustee emeritus of the American Foundation for the Blind and served on the board of the Visiting Nurses Service of NY.

Michael Ryan is Senior Director of Marketing for PepsiCo, leading the Beverage Division’s marketing agenda for Walmart, Sam’s, Target, Costco and BJ’s. Prior to his current role, Mike led Beverage Packaging Innovation and spearheaded the creation of Pepsi’s mini cans, sleek cans and new single serve bottles. Mr. Ryan was honored at Guiding Eyes’ 2011 Golf Classic with the John T. Ward Volunteer of the Year Award. A key supporter for many years, he has provided ongoing direction in marketing and branding strategy. Mr. Ryan received a dual BS in Marketing and Management from Northeastern University. He lives in Yorktown with his wife Andrea and two children.

Matt Zames is the Chief Operating Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co. He is a member of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee and former chairman. He is also a former member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Treasury Market Practices Group.  Additionally, Mr. Zames is a member of The Economic Club of NY, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.  He is on the MIT Sloan Finance Group Advisory Board, on the Board of Directors of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), on the Board of Directors of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation and Board Co-Chairman of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. Mr. Zames graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and children.

"We are pleased and excited to welcome Jane, Mike and Matt to Guiding Eyes' Board of Directors," said Wendy Aglietti, Guiding Eyes' Board Chair. "Their impressive backgrounds will bring new and great perspectives to our organization. We look forward to a bright future ahead and are privileged to benefit from their energetic leadership."

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. They can be reached at 914.245.4024 or by visiting www.guidingeyes.org. For the latest news, please visit Guiding Eyes on Facebook www.facebook.com/guidingeyes and on Twitter www.twitter.com/guidingeyes.

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind: Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an internationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. In 2008, the school launched Heeling Autism, a service dog program designed to provide safety and companionship for children on the autism spectrum. Guiding Eyes provides all of its services at no cost, and is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more info, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.