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Our Team

Maria Sullivan
Antonioni

Executive Director

With more than 15 years of leadership experience in the education, healthcare, charitable funds management, and technology industries, Maria has made a lasting impact on each organization she has been employed by, serving as a catalyst for positive changes and helping to create strong operational foundations that empower sustainable growth into the future. As a dedicated and passionate nonprofit operations leader, Maria has a long history of success bringing a fresh and insightful perspective to help organizations identify and leverage opportunities for improvement and growth.

Maria and her husband Robert Antonioni reside in Leominster, Massachusetts during the work week but consider their home to be Marshfield, Massachusetts with their seven children.

(978) 851-5540
[email protected]

Staff & Instructors

Mariah Plante

Equine Manager / Riding Instructor

  • PATH International Registered Instructor
  • MA Licensed Riding Instructor
  • Certified Special Olympics Equestrian Coach
  • First Aid/CPR Certified
  • Competitive Event Rider through Training level
  • 20 years of Riding and Horsemanship Experience

Kassandra Kehoe

Program Manager / Riding Instructor

  • MA Licensed Riding instructor
  • PATH International riding instructor
  • PATH Advanced Certified
  • Certified Special Olympics Equestrian Coach
  • MA Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, CRCC nationally licensed provider
  • Healthcare Providers Service Organization member
  • BA Human Services, concentration in Early Intervention, minor in Psychology
  • CPR, First Aid and AED Certified
  • CPI Safety Care Certified
  • ASL American Sign Language
  • TIC Trauma Informed Care Trained

Nancy Hurwitz

Receptionist/Board Recording Secretary

  • Bachelor Degree in Management Information Services, Northeastern University
  • Former Senior Executive Assistant at Fidelity Investments in Boston

(978) 851-5540
[email protected]

Ellie Coolidge-Behrstock

Riding Instructor

  • PATH International Registered Instructor
  • MA Licensed Riding instructor
  • Certified Special Olympics Equestrian Coach
  • CPR/First Aid certified
  • Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy
  • Visual Artist
  • Former Event Rider Through Intermediate Level
  • 1979 North American Junior Champion, 3 Day Event

Stacy MacDonald-Tofuri

Volunteer Coordinator / Instructor

  • PATH International Registered Instructor
  • MA Licensed Riding Instructor
  • Certified Special Olympics coach
  • First Aid and CPR Certified
  • 30 Years of Riding and Horsemanship Experience
  • AS in Equine Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture – 1997
  • Member of the UMass Amherst Intercollegiate Equestrian Team (1995-1997)
  • BS in Equine Business Management, Johnson & Wales University – 1999

(978) 851-5540
[email protected]

Shannon Giguere

Shannon Giguere

  • PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
  • MA Licensed Riding Instructor
  • BA in Psychology Colby-Sawyer College
  • MS in Animals & Public Policy Tufts University
  • First Aid/CPR Certified
  • 15+ Years of Riding and Horsemanship Experience

Melissa Salerno

Assistant Operation Manager

Elena Kehoe

Assistant Barn Manager/Program Support

Natalie Cruz

Morning Barn Manager

Glynn Montgomery

Facilities Manager

Liz Kehoe

Office Manager

Meredith Norton

Instructor

Board of Directors

Martha Gaffney

President

David Wahr

Past Board President

Chris Perley

Board Vice President

Charles Gaffney

Treasurer

Jennifer C Malizia

Secretary

James Carter

Director

Julia Eberhart

Director Emeritus

Michelle Feudo

Director

Nancy Hurwitz

Recording Secretary

Mary Jane Marcucci

Director Emeritus

Karen Myatt

Director

Maura Sweeney

Director

Wendy Watson

Director

Maureen Yadgood

Director

Leadership Council

  • Peter Rodrigues, Chairperson
  • Jay Gaffney
  • Charles Gaffney
  • Libby Gaffney
  • Jim Lane
  • Christina Carter
  • Gregg Murray
  • Maureen Mahoney
  • Carolyn Pelletier
  • Tracie Richardson

Special Events

Follow us on Facebook and check out our events calendar to find out about special events that bring the community together and keep our programs strong, including the annual Strongwater Farm Hoedown, springtime Garden Party, and online fundraising initiatives.