FOCUS Winter 2026: AFB Cornerstone

AFB Trustee and Leader Dogs CEO Melissa Weisse

A woman with shoulder length light-brown hair smiles and kneels next to a fluffy golden retriever. A logo in the background reads Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Melissa Weisse is the President and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind, a guide dog and orientation and mobility organization. Leader Dogs was born from Helen Keller’s challenge to Lions Clubs International members to become champions for people who are blind. As head of this international organization—and as Vice Chair of AFB’s Board of Trustees—Weisse embodies the spirit of advocacy Keller inspired nearly a century ago. Her journey from the auction rooms of Christie’s in London to the forefront of guide dog and accessibility work began with a simple act: volunteering.

What drew you to this work?

I was working at Christie’s, the London-based auction house, surrounded by humanitarians and philanthropists. Hearing them speak about the social sector was meaningful to me. When I moved back to the United States to be closer to family, I volunteered at the Canine Development Center at Leader Dogs for the Blind and became a puppy raiser. Through that experience, I learned about Leader Dogs programs, the philanthropic community, and the real impact of the mission. Advocating alongside Leader Dogs clients drew me to become an ally for this community. That led to a full-time role, where I brought my professional experience into Leader Dogs philanthropy.

How do your roles at Leader Dogs and AFB complement each other?

I was raised and educated internationally, and at Leader Dogs I represent a global community as I work with clients across the United States, Canada, and Spain. The work we are doing at AFB and Leader Dogs positively impacts people who are blind or have low vision no matter where they live. Serving on AFB’s board exposes me to extensive national advocacy efforts, which I can then bring back to our clients—sharing resources and amplifying advocacy within the Leader Dogs and broader guide dog communities. When we work together, the impact is so much more meaningful.

What legacy do you hope to leave?

I want to bring more people into the AFB mission and help guide dog organizations share the AFB story. The work AFB does benefits everyone. We need to collaborate more in storytelling and advocacy. My hope is to continue convening people and expanding the AFB community.