High Hopes is on Program Break 10/13-10/24. We look forward to seeing you back on campus 10/27!

Our Team

Our Team

Meet the Team Behind the Mission

At High Hopes, our work is powered by a dedicated team of professionals and community leaders committed to making equine-assisted services accessible and impactful. Many of our full- and part-time staff hold professional certifications in therapeutic riding, equine care, and other specialized areas of equine-assisted services—bringing both expertise and compassion to every interaction.

We are proudly supported by a 18-member, all-volunteer Board of Trustees who help guide our strategic vision, and an incredible group of more than 200 active volunteers who play a vital role in our daily operations. Together, we are a vibrant and collaborative community working toward a shared mission of inclusion, connection, and healing.

Discover Careers at High Hopes

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Directors

Melissa Saracino Lamont

PATH Intl.® Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), The HERD Institute® Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

Executive Director
860.434.1974 Ext. 113
Email Missy

 

Meet Missy

Lesley Olsen

Finance Director
860.434.1974 Ext. 111
Email Lesley

 

meet Lesley

Claire Gadrow

Chief Philanthropy Officer
860.434.1974 Ext. 210
Email Claire

 

 

meet Claire

Marci Bender

PATH Intl.® Certified Master Instructor (CTRI), The HERD Institute® Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

Education & Impact Director
860.434.1974 Ext. 340
Email Marci

 

Meet Marci

Hayley Plas

PATH Intl.® Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), The HERD Institute® Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

Communications Director
860.434.1974  Ext. 320
Email Hayley

 

meet Hayley

Mike Fox

The HERD Institute® Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

Operations Director
860.434.1974 Ext. 350
Email Mike

 

Meet Mike

Staff

Amara Alpert

PATH Intl.® Certified Equine Specialist (ESMHL), The HERD Institute® Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

Program Manager
860.434.1974 Ext. 331

Email Amara

 

Trudy Burgess

Event Manager
860.434.1974 Ext. 213 

Email Trudy

 

meet Trudy

Jessica Caron

Development Manager
860.434.1974 ext. 214
Email Jessica

 

Meet Jessica

Karen Castelli

Volunteer Assistant & Accounts Payable Assistant
860.434.1974 Ext. 115
Email Karen

 

Meet Karen

Audra Chmiel

Office Manager
860.434.1974 Ext. 114
Email Audra

 

Meet Audra

Kathy Christensen

PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialist (ESMHL)

Horsemanship Instructor
860.434.1974 Ext. 312

 

Chris Clarke

Volunteer Manager
860.434.1974 Ext. 332
Email Chris

 

Meet Chris

Dan Coffee

Farm Coordinator
860.434.1974
Email Dan

 

Jenn Dube

The HERD Institute®, Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

Equine Schooling Coordinator
860.434.1974 Ext. 321
Email Jenn

 

Meet Jenn

Nicole Makos

Communications Manager
860.434.1974 Ext. 212
Email Nicole

 

Meet Nicole

Cara Morello

Farm Coordinator

860-434-1974 ext. 323

Email Cara

 

Meet Cara

Juanita Paris

Barn Assistant
860.434.1974 

 

 

Mykenzie Parker

Barn Assistant
860.434.1974 Ext. 324

 

Meet Mykenzie

Kim Severance

PATH Intl.® Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), The HERD Institute® Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL), PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialist (ESMHL), Certified Grief Counselor

Program Coordinator / Instructor
860.434.1974
Email Kim

 

Meet Kim

Erin Wester

Master Instructor, Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)

Equine Manager
860.434.1974 Ext. 324
Email Erin

 

Meet Erin

Adjunct Staff

Barbara Abrams, LPC

PATH Intl CTRI, ESMHL

Instructor
860.434.1974

 

Meet Barbara

Megan Ellis

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI)

Database Specialist, Instructor and Mentor
860.434.1974 
Email Megan

 

meet Megan

Carolyn Jagielski, PT

PATH Intl CTRI, ESMHL

Instructor
860.434.1974

 

Dawn Nelligan

PATH Intl. Advanced Instructor

Program Support Specialist
860.434.1974

 

all appointments as of October 22, 2024

Board of Trustees

Sarah Hill Canning

Chair

Sarah has volunteered at High Hopes since 2003, most recently in the Carriage Driving Program. She served on the Board from 2007-16 and was scribe for several years. She came back on the Board in 2017.  Sarah is a past Chair of the Volunteer and Governance Committees and has served on the Symphony, Development, and Strategic Plan Committees. She is an alumna of Boston University and lives in Stonington.
 

Gary Rogers

Vice Chair Development

Gary is a marketing & business development executive with expertise leading a number of Fortune 500 brands. He has recently retired from his work with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, cultivating members and forging strategic partnerships. His global brand marketing initiatives generated over $1 million in charitable contributions through national cause-marketing campaigns. He served as VP of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, where he focused on capital campaign strategy and branding for the President of the College and Development Office. An avid supporter of High Hopes alongside his wife Linda, Gary leads corporate sponsorship efforts for the June Gala. Gary and Linda live in Lyme, CT.  Education: M.S., Leadership & Strategic Management, Manhattanville College School of Business, Purchase, NY; B.A., Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME.

 

Natalie Yonker

Treasurer

Natalie is the Manager Organizational Effectiveness for Dominion Energy at Millstone Power Station where she has worked since 2015.  Since obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Averett University, Natalie has worked in the Nuclear Industry for 22 years at both Millstone Power Station and Surry Power Station in Surry, VA.  In addition to her current position, Natalie was also a Supervisor in Engineering and Operations with Dominion Energy.  Natalie has served on the High Hopes Development Committee since 2018 and has been a member of St. Matthias Parish Women’s Club and Certified Food Protection Manager since 2019. She is an active member of the local chapter of Women in Nuclear (WIN) since 2020, as well as a member of the American Nuclear Society since 1998.  Natalie resides in East Lyme.

Affiliation: Millstone Power Station

 

Liz Doering

Secretary

Liz is the owner of Sperry View Farm in Bethany, CT.  Before spending 15 years in the Healthcare Insurance Industry, Liz received an undergraduate degree at Mt. Holyoke College, a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from American University, and an MBA in Health Administration from Quinnipiac University.  In 2012, Liz decided to follow a lifelong ambition of owning her own equestrian facility and purchased Sperry View Farm.  She grew up in Pony Club where she stays active as a National Examiner and Chief Horse Management Judge as well as having served on multiple National Committees throughout the years.  For the past four years, Liz has served as the President of the Connecticut Dressage Association (CDA).  While remaining as the VP of CDA, Liz stepped down from the President’s position in 2022 to continue her pursuit of her Dressage Technical Delegate’s License through the United States Equestrian Federation (USDF).  She is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist and continues to compete at the Intermediate I Level.  Liz resides in Bethany, CT and Old Saybrook, CT.

Affiliation: Sperry View Farm 

 

Chris Berger

Chris is the Managing Director and Human Resources Co-Practice Leader at Diversified Search Group. With over 24 years of executive search experience following ten years spent in HR on the corporate side, and after seven years as co-owner of the successful boutique HR executive search firm, RomanoBerger LLC, he is now co-leader of the firm’s Human Resources Practice, based in the firm’s New York office.  Chris has a BA from the University of Connecticut and is a Participating member of both the Society for Human Resources Management and HR People & Strategy.  He is a current High Hopes volunteer as well as a current LYSB Volunteer and past Region 18 Student Mentor. Chris is a past LOL soccer club Coach, Board Member and President and a past CT River Ticks Coach, LOL Little League Coach, and Park & Rec Coach.  He is a past Hamburg Cove Yacht Club Bridge Member and Trustee and current Admissions Committee Member. Chris has three grown children and has lived in Old Lyme for 26 years.

Affiliation:  Diversified Search Group

 

Hanna Calcagni

Hanna has volunteered as a horse handler at High Hopes since 2020, when she returned to her hometown of Old Lyme. Her volunteer history with High Hopes began many years ago when it was known as LCVERA, operating at the Westbrook Hunt Club. A lifelong and avid equestrian, Hanna competed successfully in both the hunter ring and, more recently, the dressage ring, earning scores for both her USDF bronze and silver medals with her horse Noah. She has served on the board of the CT Dressage Association for many years in numerous roles, including treasurer, show manager, and president, completing her three-year term at the end of 2024. Hanna has worked as a show secretary for Centerline Events for the New England Dressage Association Summer Show and as an assistant secretary at the Region 8 finals in Saugerties NY. In addition, she has volunteered at the USDF National Finals in Lexington as a VIP coordinator for the judges.

With a family heritage in Missouri, Hanna is a director and current VP on the Board of the A.P. Green Foundation. The board meets biannually to review grant requests and awards over $500,000 annually to mid-Missouri causes. Hanna graduated from Skidmore College with a B.S. in studio art. She and her husband Steven live in the village of Old Lyme and has two adult children, Keays and John, who both reside in Stamford.

Other interests include golf, pickleball, paddle tennis, and two beloved dogs, Tito and Rosie.

 

Beth Garrity

Beth Garrity is a Vice President in the Global Corporate Banking division at J.P. Morgan, based in New York. She has spent over 12 years at J.P. Morgan across a few groups including Middle Market Banking. Beth graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. This is where she met her husband, Keith Bolles. Beth and Keith reside in Fairfield, CT. Beth joined the Finance Committee at High Hopes in June 2022. She has also enjoyed watching her sister-in-law ride at High Hopes since joining the Bolles family. Beth grew up in Montclair, NJ where she learned to ride. Beth competed in Equitation and Hunter Jumper throughout high school. She is passionate about animals and also volunteers at a NYC-based dog adoption agency, Muddy Paws.

Affiliation: JP Morgan

 

Kimberly Grant

Kimberly Grant is a seasoned executive with a distinguished career in strategic planning, marketing, and advertising sales management across diverse industries. With over two decades of experience in publishing, she has successfully led business development initiatives, client relations, and revenue growth strategies for major publications, including Philadelphia Magazine’s Custom Publishing Division. Her ability to drive results, manage teams, and foster long-term partnerships has made her a trusted leader in her field.

Beyond her corporate success, Kimberly is deeply committed to philanthropy and nonprofit service. She has held leadership and volunteer roles in numerous organizations, including the Development Committee and Auction Committee for High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, where she is currently serving as Co-Chair for the 2025 Gala. Additionally, she has contributed her time and expertise to education-focused initiatives, such as serving on the Executive Committee at Far Hills Country Day School and spearheading parent engagement programs at ASC Egham International School.

Her passion for community engagement, combined with her extensive background in business strategy, fundraising, and event planning, positions her as a valuable asset to nonprofit boards seeking dynamic leadership. Kimberly resides in Lyme, Connecticut, with her husband, Angus, and enjoys sailing, golf, gardening, and traveling with her family.

 

Jonathan Heuser

A native San Franciscan, Jonathan Heuser now lives in New York City and Old Lyme, Connecticut, with his wife Nicola, their nine-year-old son Sebastian (an eager equestrian), and dog Poppy.

Jonathan enjoys reading, traveling, cooking with his family, and dabbles in various sports as a confirmed “athletic generalist.”  He loves swimming and the beach, and serves as a board member of the Old Lyme Beach Club, and is a member of the finance committee for High Hopes.

He is a hands-on volunteer for a number of organizations, including God’s Love We Deliver, Junior Achievement, and the SIMFA Foundation’s InvestWrite competition.  He is an experienced advisor and mentor, both in the workplace and through organizations such as Big Brothers / Big Sisters and J.P. Morgan’s Fellowship Initiative.

Jonathan has led the Trade and Supply Chain Finance business for Citizens Bank since 2020.  He and his team provide clients with a range of banking solutions to facilitate cross-border trade, reduce risk, and improve working capital efficiency along the supply chain.  Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $219.9 billion in assets, and offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products to clients ranging from consumers to large corporations.

Prior to Citizens, Jonathan held a variety of roles in global trade and supply chain finance with J.P. Morgan, leading teams based in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, at one point moving to Singapore for two years.  Most recently, he led the Global Trade Finance business for the Commercial Banking division.

He earned his MBA from Babson College and a B.A. in history at Trinity College (USA), where he edited the college’s newspaper and was a varsity athlete as a four-year rower on the crew team.

Affiliation: Citizens Bank

 

Adeline Horner Neubert

Adeline Horner Neubert brings more than 30 years of domestic and international financial leadership to the High Hopes Board of Trustees. With extensive experience in executive coaching, nonprofit development, and strategic planning, Adeline has dedicated much of her career to helping organizations grow, restructure, and thrive.

As Founder and President of Plus Coaching, she provides executive and leadership development services to clients across sectors. Her professional background includes senior roles with Citicorp in New York and Vienna, as well as international leadership positions with Spencer Stuart and Horner-Neubert Consulting. In addition to her corporate career, Adeline has over 15 years of entrepreneurial and nonprofit consulting experience.

Adeline’s commitment to community service is reflected in her long-standing board work with organizations such as i-Tri, the Children’s Museum of the East End, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Georgetown University’s Wall Street Alliance, where she founded the first Women in Leadership Program for New York.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a certification in Executive and Team Coaching from the NeuroLeadership Institute. Splitting her time between Essex, CT and Sag Harbor, NY, Adeline enjoys boating, skiing, biking, international travel, and staying actively engaged in her community.

Affiliation: Plus Coaching 

 

Sarah Kitchings Keenan

Sarah and her husband Christopher reside in Essex with their three children, Ryan, Maggie and Ashley. Her son, Ryan has been an active High Hopes participant for five years, both of her daughters have attended the High Hopes Summer Camp. Sarah has served as a member of the High Hopes Development Committee and is currently Treasurer of the Essex Elementary School Foundation. Sarah attended Miss. Porter’s School, followed by the University of Oregon. She received her Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law. Sarah then practiced as an Attorney specializing in real estate law, trusts and estates. She has worked as a realtor at William Pitt Sotheby International Realty and currently works for the Essex Marine Group.

Affiliation – Essex Marine Group

 

Mac Mummert

Mac and her husband, Earl, are veterinarians and have owned four small animal practices. Her special interests include internal medicine and oncology. She has served in many area civic organizations including the Lyme Garden Club, Child and Family Agency and is a Past President of the SE Connecticut Professional Women’s Network. She has served on the vestry of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, and was District Commissioner of the Connecticut Valley Pony Club. Mac has two children, Brian and Anya. Anya has been a participant at High Hopes since she was five and now works as a volunteer twice weekly. Mac earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1977 from Auburn University and resides in Lyme.

 

Chase Rogers

Chase Rogers practiced law in Connecticut and was a judge for twenty years, the last ten of which were as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. She has served on multiple boards including the State Justice Institute, which President Barack Obama appointed her to in 2010, the Board of Directors for the Conference of Chief Justices and the ABC (A Better Chance) Board of Directors. Chase grew up in Connecticut taking care of and riding horses. Since moving to Old Lyme in 2011, she has volunteered at High Hopes helping with feeding and grooming the horses and bringing her beloved therapy dog, Eloise, to play with the participants between their classes. Chase and her husband, Ted O’Hanlan, live in Old Lyme. They have two grown children, Sean and Ned.

 

Gregory Varga

Greg is a Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP, Hartford CT, a national law firm with offices throughout New England, New York, California, and Florida. As Chair of the firm’s Insurance & Reinsurance Practice, Greg represents property and casualty insurance companies and other clients in high-exposure litigation and arbitration arising from contract disputes, claims for punitive and statutory damages, and related matters. Greg also counsels and assists clients in pre-litigation dispute resolution, and advises clients regarding open claims. He is a fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. He has been honored by his peers with an “AV Preeminent” ranking by Martindale Hubbell®, has been honored by Connecticut SuperLawyers® since 2011, and named to The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of insurance law since 2012. Education: Boston College Law School, Juris Doctor, 1995; Boston College, B.A. in History, magna cum laude, 1991; Fairfield College Preparatory School (1987)

Affiliation: Robinson + Cole, LLP

 

Wendy Visgilio

Wendy is a real estate professional with Coldwell Banker in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Wendy and her husband John have raised their four children; Brenna, Will, John Michael and Evan in the Old Lyme community over the last thirty years. Their youngest, Evan has been an active rider with High Hopes since preschool and found great joy while John and Wendy saw remarkable benefits and outcomes. Wendy served nine years on the board at Lyme’s Youth Service Bureau and was instrumental in launching Project Paws where she served as a founding board member. Project Paws brings animal therapy into school systems across the region. Wendy has also served as president of the Junior Women’s Club, President of the Mile Creek PTO and president of the Valley Regional Touchdown Club. Before launching her business as a realtor, Wendy worked in Account Service for Overabove, a strategic marketing firm headquartered in Chester Connecticut, founded by husband John. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Connecticut.

Affiliation: Coldwell Banker

 

Maris Wacs

Maris holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts and has worked as a national award-winning graphic designer at numerous national magazines, e.g., Condé Nast, Vogue, and Rolling Stone, as well as with Jim Henson Productions until his death in 1990.  Since relocating to Connecticut from Manhattan in 2013, Maris has done pro bono design work for Safe Futures, CT River Museum, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and The Community Music School.  She currently volunteers as a sidewalker at High Hopes.  Additionally, Maris is a 500-hour, nationally-accredited yoga teacher teaching locally.  Maris enjoys spending time with her 3 kids, their spouses, and her grandson.

 

Peter Watt

Peter Watt is Vice President, Consumer Marketing at Outdoor Sportsman Group, in New York, where he oversees all direct to consumer-related lines of business, including subscriptions, single copy management, and merchandise sales. Outdoor Sportsman Group, a media company that publishes 15 outdoor enthusiast magazines, also owns several cable networks including Sportsman Channel and Outdoor Channel, as well as the OTT Streaming Service, My Outdoor TV. Prior to joining the High Hopes board, he was a side walker from 2008-2015 and served on various committees for the annual benefit. Peter and his husband, Gerard Cattie, live in New York and in Lyme. They are the parents of two school-age children, Louisa and Alec. A Larchmont, NY native, Peter is a graduate of Middlebury College, with a B.A. in English Literature.

Affiliation – Outdoor Sportsman Group

 

Barbara Willkens

Barbara holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and moved to New England after graduation. For the majority of her career Barbara held leadership positions at Millstone Power Station in Waterford, CT. Barbara served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut for 5 years. She joined the High Hopes Board in 2012 and served 3 consecutive 3-year terms.  Barbara re-joined the Board in 2024.  She also is a member of the Development Committee and the Safety Council. Barbara lives in Lyme with her husband, and the two of them enjoy traveling, gardening, cooking and spending time with their extended family, friends and their Rhodesian Ridgeback.

 

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