Meet the Board

Lisa has 50 years of equine experience and over 40 years coaching youth and adults with special needs. She holds a BA in Child and Youth Counselling, a Diploma in Equine Sciences, EAGALA Level 2 Certification, CanTRA Therapeutic Instructor certification, and is a licensed EC and Internationally Certified Riding Coach (BHS). Lisa is also a certified judge (Equine Canada & Horse Council BC), has served on Horse Council BC committees for 10+ years, worked 8 years in schools with a Teacher’s Assistant certificate, and owns Red Horse Equine Assisted Services.

Ashley started her journey to become a therapeutic riding instructor in the Lower Mainland at Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities in Langley, BC. In 2014 she moved to Kamloops to rise from a Session Coordinator to the Executive Director at Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association. Ashely is a certified CTRBI (CanTRA), a PATH IntI. Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor (Path Intl CTRI) and is working on her Equine Canada Coaching certification as well as EAGALA Certified Specialist.

Founder and Director of Programs at EQuisdom Therapeutic Horsemanship Association. Karen is a PATH Intl – Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, a member of CanTRA. With over 17 years of experience supporting individuals with diverse abilities, Karen combines her formal education in kinesiology with personal experiences working with family members facing learning disabilities, brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. 

For more than 25 years, Mike Waters has worked to build community. He has led and supported numerous initiatives that worked to develop, evaluate, and improve programs, services, facilities, and infrastructure. Mike is the former Executive Director of the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association and a current program volunteer and advisor to the VTRA Board of Directors. He lives and works in Rural Saanich with his family and Great Dane, Bergen.

Simone is a Director with the Freedom Equine Association Non-Profit Organization with an extensive background working with individual’s with diverse abilities, a Registered Autism Service Provider with ACT BC.

With over a decade of experience in Equine Assisted Services (EAS), Kaitlyn serves as a Stable Management Instructor at the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association, specializing in adaptive practices, driving horses, and community outreach with their miniature horses. Beyond the barn, she brings a rich background as an Educational Assistant working with diverse populations, alongside certifications in Psychological and Mental Health First Aid. This unique blend of equine expertise, trauma-informed care, and educational support allows her to bring a deeply grounded, people-focused perspective to the board. Kaitlyn is thrilled to champion the organization’s growth and sustainability through a shared commitment to Purpose, People, Process, and Performance.

Sharolyn, founder of Ears Forward Coaching, is a Career and Leadership Coach with 20+ years of experience in the Equine Assisted Services (EAS) sector. Dually certified as a Human Social Services and Equine Specialist with Pro-EFW Canada, she is dedicated to advancing industry standards through her partnership with Equine International, a nonprofit research institute. Sharolyn believes that by prioritizing ongoing development and education, we better honor our equine partners and provide truly transformative services to the communities that need them most.