Leadership

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Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board

Gary Jeandron

For more than three decades, Gary Jeandron served professionally with the Palm Springs Police Department. He started as a Records...

Leonard Sigdestad, DVM

Dr. Leonard Sigdestad was born in Webster, South Dakota where he grew up on a farm. He had a love...

Treasurer

Darcy McNaboe

Darcy McNaboe is Principal and Founder of Village Enterprises, which advises businesses on management issues, as well as development and...

Secretary

Cynthia Woods

A graduate of Western Michigan University – earning Masters of Arts in Vision Rehabilitation therapy. Also certified by the Academy...

Patricia Craine, MA, LMFT

Patti Craine specializes in individual, couples and family therapy, and maintains a private practice in Palm Springs, California. With over...

Vice Chairman

Laurie Kettering

Kettering is the owner of Ben & Jerry’s at The River, which is a Global Top 10% Scoop Shop in...

John Lowey

John Lowey is a registered Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Palm Springs, with a Tier 10 ranking with the ...

Ann Thornton

A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, Ann is an avid equestrian, golfer and photography enthusiast. Married since 1984 to...

Kevin Foster

Kevin Foster is an experienced and innovative global leader frequently recognized by executives and peers for driving organizational performance to...

Guido Portante

General Portante is the absolute citizen-soldier. Born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and having grown up in Cleveland, Ohio, the family made...

Management Team

Sarah Clapp – Executive Director

Sarah joined the Guide Dogs of the Desert staff in August 2013. Her background includes 21 years at Eisenhower Medical Center (in various capacities within the Foundation Department), Major Gift Officer with Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, and Director of Development, The Living Desert.

As Executive Director, Sarah has the responsibility of overseeing the Administration of the mission of Guide Dogs of the Desert, along with establishing and overseeing the Fund Development effort.

Having lived in the Palm Springs area since 1965, Sarah brought with her long-established relationships that could provide philanthropic, as well as volunteer, community support. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Certification in Grant Writing, along with extensive background and facilitation of training related to customer service, through the Disney Institute. She is a Board Member of the Desert Communities Chapter of Association Fundraising Professionals and was bestowed the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award by her peers in 2016.