Karen E. Leies
Karen E. Leies began serving as President & CEO of The Seeing Eye on November 1, 2024. Karen has more than 25 years of experience with non-profit organizations. Previously. she was Chief of External Affairs at Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), the state’s largest anti-hunger organization. Prior to that, she was the Senior Director […]
Peggy Gibbon
Peggy Gibbon is the Director of Canine Development, overseeing enrichment for newborn puppies and adult dogs at the Breeding Station, the Puppy Development Department, the Washington Valley kennels, and adoptions. Peggy has been an assessor for the International Guide Dog Federation since 2014. The Canine Development team oversees many key components to creating the successful […]
Glenn Cianci
Glenn Cianci is the Director of Facilities Management, managing the operation of the Washington Valley, Morristown and Chester sites. Cianci joined The Seeing Eye in 2013. Cianci previously served as a Facility Manager at Hoffmann-La Roche in Nutley, New Jersey. He earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University.
Melissa Casafranca
Melissa Casafranca joined The Seeing Eye’s Donor & Public Relations Department in 2019. Prior to The Seeing Eye, Melissa was the Senior Director of Development at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A graduate of Seton Hall University, Melissa lives in Morris Plains with her husband, two daughters, and their golden retriever, Logan.
James Hands
James Hands joined The Seeing Eye as Director of Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer in October 2021 and was promoted to Chief Financial and Operating Officer in July 2023. Hands also sits on the Board of the American Foundation for the Blind where he serves as Chair of the AFB Audit Committee and […]
David Johnson
David Johnson is the Director of Advocacy & Government Relations. Johnson has been with the organization since 1984. He worked as an Instructor training guides and students until 2021 when he was promoted to Senior Manager supervising teams of Instructors and classes. From 2009 to 2023, he served as the Director of Instruction & Training. […]
Jim Kessler
Jim Kessler graduated from Miami of Ohio class of 1994 receiving a B.S. in Business Administration. He started his career in New York City working in the financial services industry. In September of 2001, was hired at the Seeing Eye where he began his career as an apprentice. He worked as a GDMI until February […]
C. Kyle Quigley, D.V.M.
Prior to joining The Seeing Eye, Dr. Quigley was the Medical Director of Community and Shelter Medicine at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Dr. Quigley received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of […]
Joseph Shiarappa
Joe Shiarappa of Hackettstown, NJ, joined The Seeing Eye as Director of Human Resources in August 2022 with nearly 25 years of experience in Human Resources. Prior to joining The Seeing Eye, he served as Director of Human Resources for the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. He also has been the Director of Human Resources […]
