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Karen Hayes AM DSJ resigns from Guide Dogs Victoria

The Guide Dogs Victoria Board announces that CEO Karen Hayes AM DSJ has resigned today and is leaving the organisation that she has led with great passion and energy for 10 years.

Chairman Iain Edwards said Karen has made an incredible contribution to Guide Dogs Victoria, most notably putting in place a much-needed campus redevelopment program to meet the demands of the future. “Karen leaves a great legacy of modernising the organisation and having a genuine commitment to supporting Victorians with low vision or blindness to live full and independent lives.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Karen for her innovation, passion and commitment to Guide Dogs Victoria. Karen has always set out to make a difference and to help those that need support, and that is exactly what she has achieved during her decade in the role.

“Her dedication and enthusiasm can’t be under-estimated. We are incredibly grateful for her unrelenting desire to help the Guide Dog community and to make life better for those that need our support and to give them greater independence. Karen has made a long and lasting impact in our community, and we wish her all the best in the future.”

Ms Hayes today thanked her colleagues for their support and said she has always been driven by the desire to support Guide Dogs Victoria and to help Victorians with low vision and blindness,

“Guide Dogs Victoria is a wonderful organisation, doing incredible work in communities across the state, day in and day out. For 10 years I have had the great honour of working with the most passionate and dedicated staff. We could not have put Guide Dogs Victoria into such a secure position without the commitment of staff working so closely with donors, sponsors and the public and to breed and train our amazing guide dogs that make such a difference to people’s lives.”