Man kneeling with a golden labrador puppy on knee

Lee Buckingham (Chair)

Guide Dogs South Australia / Northern Terriroty

Lee is an innovative leader who is passionate about operational strategies, project planning and people management with a strong focus on implementing processes to improve safety and culture in the workplace.

Lee previously worked as the General Manager for Guide Dog Services at Guide Dogs Queensland and now works for Guide Dogs South Australia / Northern Territory. 

Lee has professional experience spanning over three continents in a variety of industries including not-for-profit, hospitality, facilities management, food production and resources.

Lee is skilled at managing teams to successful outcomes and developing strategies to improve on workplace culture and output. He has overseen the commencement of a number of projects at Guide Dogs including the introduction of new Digital education programs. Puppy programs with interactive portals for volunteers.

Tim Stafford

Tim Stafford (Board Liaison)

Director of Canine Affairs The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, UK

Tim has worked for Guide Dogs (UK) since 1985, qualifying as a guide dog mobility instructor in 1989 working in the UK and New Zealand.  Tim holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and a master’s degree in Anthrozoology.  Tim progressed through a succession of management roles before being appointed as Director of Canine Assisted Services in 2014 to lead the re-design and development of the canine system of breeding, puppy development, dog training, behaviour, welfare, and partnership services. Tim moved into his present role as Director of Canine Affairs in 2020 to strengthen engagement and collaboration with national and international partners and provide executive directors with subject matter expertise. Tim represents Guide Dogs and IGDF as part of the European Consortium on European Standards for Assistance Dogs (CEN/TC 452) where he is also the co-convenor of the working group for Lifetime Welfare.  In addition to being a Director/Trustee of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) he is the current Chair of Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK).

Yuko INOUE

Yuko Inoue

Manager International Affairs
Japan Guide Dog Association (JGDA)

Yuko currently works as the Manager of the International Affairs Department at Kanagawa Training Centre of JGDA. She oversee all matters related to communicating with people and organisations abroad from breeding, to training, to fundraising, etc.

Yuko is from the 2nd graduating class from the school for guide dog trainers at JGDA and has been working at JGDA for the past 18 years.

Yuko is a Japanese national, but grew up in Abu Dhabi and went to university in the United States, majoring in Zoology and French.

A smiling Melinda Bowden

Melinda Bowden

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Australia

Melinda Bowden commenced her career with Guide Dogs working in kennels and then as a Therapy Dog Trainer whilst completing a B. Science (Biological Science). In 2007, Melinda completed a Masters of Special Education (Sensory Disability) and began work as an Orientation and Mobility Instructor and then later, as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT (Australia).

Melinda has a passion for continuous improvement and the education of trainees and the broader workforce. Melinda has been involved in the training of Guide Dog Trainers and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors for both Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Guide Dogs Victoria. Melinda has also provided support internationally to emerging Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Guide Dog Trainers and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors through secondment roles as an educator or practitioner for various organisations, including South African Guide Dogs Association for the Blind, Guide Dogs Singapore and Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association. These opportunities to simultaneously learn and teach are what brings Melinda the most joy and satisfaction in her working life.

Melinda is also a Knowledge Assessed Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CCPDT-KA) with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

International Guide Dog Federation Badge

Ben Cawley

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, USA

Ben Cawley joined Guide Dogs for the Blind, San Rafael, 25 years ago where he worked as a GDMI for more than 10 years. There he found a passion for working with the human side of the guide dog partnership. Ben moved back to the East Coast of the U.S. with his wife and infant son to be closer to family. There he joined Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York where he currently serves as Director of Client Experience. Ben is also an IGDF Assessor and joined the IGDF Education Committee in 2023.