Board of Directors
Is Board Service calling You? MSR is seeking to add members passionate about mental health who understand the healing benefits of partnering and connecting with a horse. We are an inclusive organization seeking diverse backgrounds and skills in the areas of Budget/Finance, Marketing, Fundraising, Grant writing, IT & Connecting with the Community.
Victoria "Vicky" Perez, President, MS. ED. S
Victoria Perez is a certified NC educator with 25 years of K12 experience. Originally from Florida, she fell in love with North Carolina at a young age and knew this would be home. Because of her experience as an educator, she is passionate about the social-emotional development of children, tweens, and teens. She understands the challenges young people face with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, peer relationships and school performance. Plus the added pressure the cyberworld of social media creates. Vicky is equally passionate about animals and the positive impact bonding with them can have. Equine Assisted Learning encompases her two passions to address youth development and their achievement of learning goals and life skills.
Michaele Conners, Secretary, MA, LPCS, LPC
Michaele Conners is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor with clinical experience working with child, adolescent and adult populations. She has worked in the mental health field for over 10 years as a therapist, clinical director and executive director for community health agencies working with mental health crisis, trauma, substance use and a broad spectrum of clinical diagnosis. She is presently a Clinical Licensure Supervisor and Hospice bereavement counselor. Michaele has a passion for working with clients struggling with grief and loss along with trauma life experiences. She has owned horses, ridden for pleasure and shown horses throughout her younger years and has a love of horses and all animals.
Maria Hogge, Treasurer, Founder, CEO, Equine Specialist
Maria built her business expertise as a landscape designer. However, after seeing a program on the nightly new about using horses to help veterans with PTSD, she decided to trade in her drawing pencils for pitchforks. She began volunteering at “Bit of Hope Ranch” in Gastonia, NC. and then went on to get her EAGALA Certification and Natural Lifemanship Training as an Equine Specialist (ES). An avid horsewoman for more than 30 years, Maria competed in both English and Western disciplines. Several winters were spent as a working student learning natural horsemanship skill. Maria is eager to share the physical and emotional benefits of spending time with horses to those suffering from trauma. She has actively worked with abused and neglected horses at Equine Rescues and strives to bring attention to the plight of the American Mustang.
Gina Masterson, JD, Legal Council
Gina has been an attorney for over 20 years and has had a lifelong passion for horses. Since moving to North Carolina from Colorado five years ago, Gina has practiced law at Alston & Bird where her practice focuses on advising financial institutions on a wide variety of transactional matters. Gina and her horse, Dante, are learning dressage together. Gina’s husband is retired from the military, having served multiple combat deployments, and her basset hound is a certified visitation therapy dog. She is a firm believer in the therapeutic benefit of horses and excited to be part of Mending Strides Ranch.