Rochester, Michigan: Honorable Judge Paul Teranes, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Leader Dogs for the Blind, announced the immediate appointment of Susan M. Daniels as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leader Dogs for the Blind. She had previously served as Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) of Leader Dogs.

"As we performed our due diligence and reaffirmed our criteria for a CEO, we were very fortunate to have a person established within the organization who has consistently met or exceeded all of our requirements. In addition, we have the added benefit of continuity of mission and operational objectives with Sue leading the organization," Judge Teranes said.

"She is a visionary leader and has been recognized by her peers as performing at the very top of her profession. She has constantly stressed the need to maximize our strengths and address our opportunities in this especially challenging economic climate, while never losing focus of the mission, the clients and the associates."

Daniels holds a CPA and has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan - Dearborn. She completed the Women's Executive Leadership Experience through Paragon Leadership International and is a proud graduate of Leadership Greater Rochester and Leadership Oakland. She is a recipient of the 2011 Crain's Detroit Business CFO of the Year Award (nonprofit sector), recognizing outstanding financial executives. Prior to her arrival at Leader Dogs for the Blind in 2004, Daniels was the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer for the Southeastern Chapter of the American Red Cross for nearly 10 years.