Meet our Team
Executive Director
Nancy joined NCEFT in 2019. She holds BS degrees in Psychology & Criminology from UC Berkeley, and a MS in Social Work from Univ. of Washington. Previously, she held leadership roles at Stanford Children’s Hospital and continued clinical work with children and families. Her love of horses, animals, and the outdoors prompted her to pursue NCEFT, and she is thrilled to have joined the organization.
Development Director
Molly joined NCEFT in May 2024 and brings more than 20 years of development experience at academic medical centers, veterinary medicine, the Reagan Presidential Library, and social service. She has extensive knowledge in pediatric medicine building grateful patient programs and comprehensive campaigns. Molly is an avid equestrian in Woodside and member of the SMCHA. She loves all animals and is an active volunteer with NorCal Boxer Rescue.
Mental Health & Resilience Director
Briana holds a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. Previously, she worked in the Dept of Psychiatry at Kaiser as a Psychologist providing psychotherapy to adults, youth, and families. Her love for horses led her to NCEFT where she could connect people to the powerful experience of equine-assisted mental health services.
Administrative Manager
Lisa joined NCEFT in June 2024 and holds a BS in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. She has significant experience in non-profit administration and accounting. Lisa is a Bay Area native and enjoys musical theater and taking care of her dog in her free time.
Program Director/Physical Therapist
Chris graduated with a BS in health education and athletic training before attaining her MS in physical therapy and joining NCEFT in 2007. In 1996, Chris trained with one of the pioneers of the treatment strategy of hippotherapy in the US, Barbara Heine. Chris loves patient interactions and patients, in turn, enjoy her playful and encouraging approach to therapy.
Mental Health & Resilience Therapist
Annette is a licensed mental health therapist with 15 years of experience working with mostly Spanish speaking families who have undergone trauma in their lives. She has always been passionate about all animals and volunteered at the Equine Center while an undergrad at UC Davis as well as working as a side-walker at an equine therapy facility in Southern California.
Volunteer Coordinator
Rachelle joined NCEFT in 2024 with a background in marketing and graphic design after earning a BA in Design and a BA in Communication from UC Davis. She also has experience as a coach after playing softball through college. Rachelle views NCEFT as the perfect place to combine her love of horses and work experience while doing meaningful work. In her free time, she enjoys baking, thrifting, and photography.
Adaptive Riding Instructor, PATH Certified
Tatyana graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a BS in Animal Science and an emphasis in Equine Studies. She is currently enrolled in Santa Clara University’s Masters Program in Counseling Psychology and will attain a LPCC license. Tatyana has equine management experience and is a PATH certified AR instructor. In her spare time, Tatyana enjoys gardening, spoiling her dogs, and furthering her equine education.
Physical Therapist
Erin joined NCEFT in 2023. She is originally from NY state and holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College. Erin comes with experience working in the outpatient, subacute and skilled nursing rehabilitation settings. Her love for horses started as a child when she learned how to vault, and she currently enjoys taking horseback riding lessons in Los Gatos. In her free time, she also enjoys traveling, skiing, and hiking with her husband and 3 children.
Development Associate
Karen joined NCEFT as a Development Associate in 2018. She has had a love of horses since childhood and spent her youth riding in Southern California. Prior to joining NCEFT, she worked in staffing and program management at companies such as Google, Coherent, and Nokia, as well as in real estate in Southern California. In her spare time, Karen enjoys painting, exercise, and traveling.
Equine Specialist
Chris Ellsworth is a trainer, clinician, and teacher of horsemanship from Wyoming. An avid student of all things equine, he has come to believe that horses and humans were meant to help each other. Chris holds an A.S. degree in Animal Science from a small college in Wyoming.
Adaptive Riding Instructor, PATH Certified
Matt has a background in equestrian sports and has worked as an Exercise Rider and Barn Manager for several international show jumping barns. He joined NCEFT in December 2019 and holds credentials as a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH International. He finds great joy in helping to foster the special bonds between horses and humans. In addition to his equestrian experience, Matt is trained as a Wilderness First Responder and enjoys backpacking.
Horse Handler
Emily’s love of horses started at an early age, riding and competing across her childhood home of Indiana. Emily holds a Doctorate of Dental Surgery and has practiced dentistry in San Francisco and Palo Alto. She is also a trained chef and now finds herself at NCEFT where she is happy to be a part of an organization in which horses and healthcare are linked in such an incredible way.
Horse Handler
Sierra is a life-long horse lover who grew up showing Morgan horses in saddleseat and driving. During her time at the University of Arizona where she received a bachelor’s in psychology, Sierra rescued and rehabilitated horses, giving them a second chance. Sierra joined NCEFT in September of 2024 and is thrilled to be sharing her love for horses with the community. In her spare time, you will find Sierra backpacking with her dog and practicing her watercolors.
Horse Handler
Darrel, who has a background in animal science, has been an NCEFT horse handler since 2014. Previously, Darrel worked as an IT quality assurance and load testing specialist for large corporations such as Delta.net, GAP, and HP. When Darrel isn’t riding, you’ll find him using his magnificent voice to sing the blues with a band of friends.
Adaptive Riding Instructor, PATH Certified
Anna holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences and has been a PATH-Certified Adaptive Riding Instructor at NCEFT since 2015. She learned to ride in Portola Valley and began volunteering in adaptive riding sessions when she was in high school. Anna enjoys baking, playing the viola, and long-distance trail running.
Occupational Therapist
Wendy joined NCEFT in April 2022. She received her MS in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University in 2018. Wendy comes from a school-based OT background. Her love of animals, outdoors, and working with people of all ages led her to NCEFT.
Administrative Assistant
Eileen joined NCEFT in 2023 and holds a BS in Business Management Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a background in marketing and project management. Born and raised in California, she enjoys hiking, baking, and reading in her free time
Mental Health & Resilience Therapist
Sarah holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She grew up riding horses in Virginia, and previously led acute psychiatric crisis stabilization and residential dual diagnosis programs in San Francisco. She joined NCEFT in September 2023 to unite her abiding love of horses with her passion for serving people seeking change in their lives.
Facilities Manager
Jim spent his youth horseback riding all over Woodside, including on trails that took him through NCEFT’s first location in the hills west of town. Since retiring from his successful plumbing business, Jim has spent well over a decade keeping NCEFT’s facilities functioning smoothly and looking beautiful for our clients and their families.
Horse Handler
Meg joined NCEFT in December 2022, after moving from Pittsburgh, PA where she was in the field of outdoor education. She holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences, with a Minor in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University. Meg has worked with horses in many capacities, as a horseback riding instructor, a volunteer at a horse rescue, and as a mounted parking attendant for weddings. In addition to horses, Meg also loves backpacking, board games, and disc golf.
