Kare Leies, the outgoing chief of external affairs at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, was named the CEO of the Seeing Eye, the world’s oldest guide dog school.
Leies will begin as CEO of the Seeing Eye on Nov. 1, replacing Margaret “Peggi” Howard, who announced her upcoming retirement earlier this year. Howard, a member of the board of trustees since 2009, has served as CEO and president since December 2021. She will remain with the organization as an adviser until the end of the year.
“Karen stood out from a field of impressive candidates,” Cynthia Bryant, the Seeing Eye’s chair of the board, said. “Her professional experience, her volunteerism and her deep appreciation of the love between humans and dogs is the foundation of everything we do at the Seeing Eye.”
Leies brings more than 25 years of experience with nonprofit organizations. At CFBNJ, the state’s largest anti-hunger organization, she oversaw board relations, revenue, marketing, communications and volunteer functions as chief of external affairs. Prior to that, she was the senior director of development at the New York City Ballet. She also held executive positions at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
“The Seeing Eye has set the gold standard in breeding and training guide dogs and established its undeniable reputation of excellence,” Leies said. “I am honored to join a dedicated community of graduates, staff, volunteers and donors who are all committed to building on this rich history in the years ahead.”
