James Hands joined The Seeing Eye in October 2021 as Director of Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to Chief Financial and Operating Officer in July 2023. In his role, he oversees the organization’s financial, operational, technology, and facilities functions, helping to advance The Seeing Eye’s mission of enhancing the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of people who are blind through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs.
James also serves on the Board of the American Foundation for the Blind, where he chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Finance and Investment Committee and the Board Governance Committee.
He brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and financial management experience. Prior to joining The Seeing Eye, he served as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an international environmental nonprofit organization based in New York City.
He holds an MBA in Finance and Investments from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business and a BA in Economics from Rutgers University.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, James now lives in Keyport, New Jersey, with his wife, family, golden retriever, and two cats.
