"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
– Helen Keller
Board Members
Founder & Chair
Sissy De-Maria Koehne
Sissy DeMaria-Koehne is the CEO of Cultivate PR, one of the most respected and established independently-owned public relations agencies with offices in Miami and New York. Sissy is also the Founder of WorldWise PR Affiliates, a global network of independently owned public relations agencies in key locations throughout the world. A life-long equestrian, Sissy co-founded Give Back for Special Equestrians in 2013, a non-profit that provides therapeutic horseback riding scholarships for disabled children and veterans in Florida and New York.
Active in social and civic circles, DeMaria-Koehne serves on the Board of Coral Gables Community Foundation, and has co-chaired its successful annual gala for six consecutive years. Sissy is an Associate Member of Beaux Arts and Young Patronesses of the Opera. Married to Dr. Guenther Koehne, she is a mother of three daughters and divides her time between New York City, Vero Beach and Miami. She is a graduate of the University of Miami.
Emeritus Member
Georgina Bloomberg
Georgina Bloomberg is an accomplished professional show jumper and devoted philanthropist.
Bloomberg is an EQUUStar for the EQUUS Foundation. She is on the board of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the Hampton Classic Horse Show, the Lake Placid Horse Show, the Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Foundation and the Bloomberg Family Foundation, the board of Trustees of the United States Equestrian Team, and she is Vice President of Animal Aid USA. Bloomberg has co-authored four young adult novels about the equestrian show circuit with Bloomsbury publishing: “The A Circuit” (May 2011), “My Favorite Mistake” (February 2012), “Off Course” (November 2012), and “Rein It In” (August 2013).
Co-founder & Vice Chair
Dr. Heather Kuhl, PsyD
Heather Kuhl is a Licensed Psychologist and the founder and director of a private practice, Kuhl Psychological Services, Inc., in Fort Lauderdale, specializing in conducting therapy and psychological evaluations. Aside from her private practice, Heather is adjunct faculty at Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Heather has been an avid equestrian for 30 years. During her childhood, Heather competed locally and nationally in the hunters and jumpers with her own horses, and rode and trained ponies and horses for several of her trainers. As an adult, Heather continues her passion for horses and merged this with her love of psychology. She pursued certification as a mental health provider though the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).
Treasurer & Co-founder
Isabel Ernst
Isabel Ernst is a college student at U PENN who co-founded Give a Buck for Special Equestrians in Vero Beach, Florida along with Sissy DeMaria and later, Dr. Heather Kuhl. She is an accomplished equestrian who has made it her mission to share the joy of horses and horsemanship with those who could most benefit from it. Ernst is passionate about the kind of “horse power” that heals broken bodies, minds, and spirits. She focuses her efforts on sharing the joys of horses – and horsemanship—with children and adults facing difficult physical and emotional life challenges, like Autism, Spina Bifida, Downs Syndrome and other disabilities. Isabel founded Give a Buck’s Young Ambassador Program and served as its President from 2013 to 2020.
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Nancy Batchelor
Nancy Batchelor is one of the leading REALTORS® to CEO’s, celebrities, the world’s elite, and international investors looking to buy or sell real estate in South Florida, and has been a top Associate at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty for over 20 years . Prior to being one of the area’s most successful and reputable REALTORS®, Nancy was a luxury real estate broker in Aspen, Colorado and owned/operated a Yacht Brokerage and charter service at Miami Beach Marina.
Nancy is committed to the South Florida community and in collaboration with the Batchelor Foundation holds leadership positions in some of the most notable and revered philanthropic organizations, including Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation Board, and the Toqueville Society with United Way. She has an affinity for boating, dogs, and is an avid Equestrian who loves riding her horses, Clive & Chloe.
Ashley C. Cagle
Ashley C. Cagle is a life-long equestrian based in Wellington, Florida with over 25 years of competitive hunter/jumper experience showing on the "AA" circuit around the nation. Her professional experience includes working in fashion retail and digital marketing for International brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Dubarry, Hermès, and The Breeders' Cup World Championships. In 2012 she founded EquestrianStylist.com which is now a leading equestrian lifestyle blog showcasing classic, chic, and elegant equestrian style. In 2020, she was a judge for the Official Kentucky Derby Digital Fashion Contest by Longines.
Helen Picard
Helen is the Executive Director of Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center in Miami, Florida. Helen has been involved with Whispering Manes since 2012 when she organized a fundraising event to raise awareness and critical funds for the newly established Therapeutic Riding Center. In 2014, she joined the board of directors and is the immediate past chair. Prior to joining Whispering Manes as Executive Director, Helen was an adjunct professor of business and business communication at Florida International University and Miami Dade College. She has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing management, business development, project management, and strategic consulting. Helen is passionate about community involvement and has led many campaigns and fund-raising events for a wide range of nonprofit organizations. She is a past president of the Junior League of Miami and of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT). Helen received an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree from Barry University. She is an avid tennis player and enjoys reading, traveling, and cooking.
Nancy Hector
Nancy Thornton Hector is a retired owner of Bayview Financial, a mortgage asset management and specialty loan-servicing firm. Since retiring, Ms. Hector has been an active volunteer and philanthropist focused on organizations that work with the disabled as well as homeless and at risk children and families.
Nancy’s passion has been children’s causes with therapeutic horseback riding very near and dear to her. As a child advocate, she established a therapeutic wilderness camp at CHARLEE of Dade County dedicated to life changing summer experiences for children in foster care. She was also an active volunteer for His House Children’s Home and her family has helped children both as foster parents and non-relative care givers.
The Hector Family Foundation has given grants to over 50 charities in our community. In addition, she sits on several boards including Chapman Partnership, The Seed School of Miami, and His House Children’s Home
Ms. Hector has also been long time supporter of the Museum of Science programs that develop a love of science and exploration for inner city youth.
In 2011, Ms. Hector created a therapeutic riding program called Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Facility. This non-profit organization works with children and adults with a variety of emotional, physical, and learning disabilities.
Ms. Hector has been recognized for her outstanding work in the community by a number or organizations. Recent awards include a Womenade Honoree, Take a walk in Her Shoes Honoree , Women of Distinction, and The Starfish Award.