Executive Team

Christine (Chris) joined Guide Dogs for the Blind in April of 2014. Chris brings a wealth of non-profit and for-profit experience to her role. Prior to joining GDB, she spent 17 years leading the Humane Society Silicon Valley. During her tenure there, she and her team’s progressive approach helped save the lives of tens of thousands of animals and greatly reduce pet overpopulation problems in Santa Clara County. Under her leadership, the organization was also able to raise $25.5 million to build The Animal Community Center -- the first facility of its kind in the country.

Under Chris’ leadership, Guide Dogs for the Blind has expanded its program offerings to include Orientation and Mobility training for individuals with insufficient skills to qualify for guide dog training, a companion dog program for visually-impaired children and advocacy in support of GDB’s visually-impaired communities. In addition, annual fundraising has tripled since 2014 and a new state-of-the-art Puppy Center has been built. Current organization-wide initiatives include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as full accessibility throughout GDB and its communication channels. Chris was elected to the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) Board at the 2021 IGDF Annual General Meeting.

Chris honed her business skills as an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. as well as in her 15 years with Hewlett Packard Corporation. At HP, Chris held managerial positions in the U.S. as well as in Europe. She holds an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Chris loves to ride her bike, hike, and travel. Chris loves dogs and has two of her own: Theia, a career change Golden Retriever, who now serves as an ambassador for GDB as well as Petey, a Chihuahua.

Sherilyn (Sheri) has over 30 years of financial experience and joined Guide Dogs for the Blind in 2017. Prior to joining GDB, Sheri worked for a large construction materials company in key financial roles, including SVP of Finance. Sheri’s experience also includes nine years as Corporate Controller with Valley Forge, a $100M publicly traded manufacturing company. Her career began with Deloitte & Touche, a “big four” public accounting firm, in the financial assurance sector.

Sheri has a CPA license maintained in inactive status and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. She graduated with honors and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with dual majors in accounting and management information systems from CSU, Sacramento.

Sheri leads the Accounting and Finance teams responsible for internal and external financial reporting, the Information Technology Department responsible for maintenance, security, and modernization of all technological functions, and the Facilities Department responsible for fleet and infrastructure on the California and Oregon campuses in addition to various remote field locations.

Her interests include improving her cooking skills, reading, traveling with her family, and taking long walks with her two dogs: Louie, a colorful Aussie mix rescue, and Izzy, (formerly Verbena) a career change black Lab.

Susan is responsible for the staffing, supervision, and training of personnel in the Training Department on the OR campus, as well as the Veterinary, Nursing, Dormitory Services, and Research and Development Departments. She also shares dual responsibility with the VP of Training Operations CA for personnel within the Client Services Department and ensures that GDB provides a graduate follow-up program that promotes the useful life and effectiveness of each team.

Susan is originally from Wisconsin and spent her childhood training dogs and volunteering at the Humane Society. She has a BS in Biology/Zoology from Portland State University and a Master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility from Western Michigan University.

Susan loves to travel and is excited to be an assessor for the International Guide Dog Federation. She is also an avid sports fan, poker player, and student of photography. She lives in Portland, Ore. with her partner and their enthusiastic, photogenic Border Collies.

Kristin is responsible for the staffing, supervision, and training of personnel in the Training Department on GDB's California campus, as well as the California campus Veterinary and Nursing Departments and GDB's Apprentice Program. She also shares dual responsibility with the VP of Training Operations OR for personnel within the Client Services Department and ensures that GDB provides a graduate follow-up program that promotes the useful life and effectiveness of each team.

Kristin has a BS in Psychobiology with a concentration in Neuroscience from the University of California at Riverside, and always had a strong interest in teaching, coaching, and mentoring as she progressed through college. She holds an MA in Special Education, with a concentration in Orientation and Mobility from San Francisco State University.

Kristin loves to cook for people, grow fruits and veggies, and hike. She lives in Petaluma, Calif., with her wife and daughter and their two dogs.

Katie brings more than 30 years of human resources experience to her leadership role at Guide Dogs for the Blind. She has enjoyed working in a broad array of industries in the for-profit world ranging from retail to architecture to advertising, as well as in the non-profit sector through her time with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.

Katie is responsible for providing overall strategic leadership to Guide Dogs for the Blind’s HR initiatives such as recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, and employee relations. She also ensures policies, procedures, and HR programs are consistently administered, aligned with organizational goals, and are in compliance with professional standards, state and federal regulatory requirements, and employment laws.

When not working, Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, hiking and walking her dog, Chipper.

Theresa began her tenure at Guide Dogs for the Blind in 1999 after working in the field of blind rehabilitation for over 25 years, including at the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco as a rehabilitation teacher and director of its Enchanted Hills Camp. To meet the growing need for comprehensive access to technology sales and training, she helped to create AccessAbility Inc., an access tech company and served as the low vision products sales manager.

Theresa Stern holds a BA in liberal studies from the University of California at Riverside and a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in blind rehabilitation from San Francisco State University.

She serves as the Vice President of Interdisciplinary Client Services and Engagement, overseeing the programs and services that educate potential clients and professionals about our programs, prepare clients to live and work with a guide dog and live the lives they wish to live, ensure public policy addresses the needs of our clients, and connect clients with one another to build a strong, sustainable community of support.

Theresa has been blind since birth and travels with her guide dog, Wills, who she received in December of 2014. She loves horseback riding, travel, and spending time with her two-legged and four-legged family!

Karen joined Guide Dogs for the Blind in 2013 and brings a wealth of marketing experience to GDB having served as director of marketing for Prophet Brand Strategy, a worldwide strategic brand and marketing consultancy, as well as key positions with McCann-Erickson, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies and J. Walter Thompson, a renowned marketing/communications agency with offices in more than 90 countries.

Karen holds an MBA in Marketing from the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley and BA degrees in Psychology and German from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Karen’s responsibilities include developing and executing a broad marketing effort focused primarily on developing and supporting Guide Dogs for the Blind’s brand nationally and internationally, serving as communications/brand advisor to the organization, and overseeing GDB Gift Shops including brand management and promotion.

Her interests include architecture and design, stand up paddleboarding, traveling with her family, and watching the hijinks of her giant dog Jake (from State Farm) and retired breeder dog Gertie.