Meet the Leadership

Kelly Rodgers – Executive Director

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Kelly served as MTR’s Program Director from 2008 until May of 2020 when she was promoted to the Executive Director position. A horse lover from before she could talk, Kelly has devoted her lifetime work to equine-assisted activities and therapies.

Kelly graduated from Centenary University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies with a concentration in Equine Business Management. During her time at Centenary, she served as a volunteer in the TRAC (Therapeutic Riding at Centenary) program and became certified as a PATH International Instructor. Upon graduation, she took a job as the Barn Manager and Head Instructor at a therapeutic riding center near West Palm Beach, Florida.

After two beautiful years in the sunshine state, Kelly was eager to be closer to family again, and in 2008 accepted a position at Maryland Therapeutic Riding. Since then, MTR has stolen a huge piece of Kelly’s heart.

Kelly is one of thirty Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Master Instructors in the country and also holds a certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Kelly serves as a Lead Site Visitor for PATH Intl. and supports the growth and future of EAAT by serving on various committees and presenting at Regional and National conferences.

When Kelly is not at the farm, you can find her enjoying time outdoors with her husband KJ and son Declan. They reside just a mile down the road from MTR in the wonderful Arden on the Severn community.

Katie Streett, MS, LGPC – Mental Health Program Manager

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Katie Streett has supported MTR in multiple roles for the last decade to include Volunteer Manager, Head Instructor and Program Manager. In fact, many of the protocols that remain in place today at MTR were established by Katie herself! She is not only as a PATH Intl. Certified Advanced Instructor, mentor and site evaluator, but also as a licensed mental health provider.

With a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Loyola and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Johns Hopkins University, Katie has worked with adults, children and families with various needs. Through partnering with Ten Ten Counseling, Katie formalized and grew the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy services provided at MTR. She is certified through EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) as a mental health provider and equine specialist. She looks forward to continuing to expand mental health services to meet the needs of our community.

When Katie is not working, she enjoys relaxing, spending time outside and going on adventures with her husband and their five children. They can be found walking their Corgi, enjoying music, laughing and exploring new things. To relax and unwind, Katie enjoys reading, yoga and meditation.

Linsey Erar – Program Manager

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Linsey grew up learning how to ride from her Dad and Grandpa on her Grandpa’s farm in Northwest Florida. It was then she learned the valuable lessons that still echo through her life today like, “what you do is louder than what you say” and “ life is better with dirt under your fingernails and horsehair on your clothes.”

Linsey started in western pleasures shows but has always enjoyed a long trail ride most of all. In college, she returned from working at Disney World and needed to find a way to be around horses regularly. She began volunteering at a small therapeutic riding program and quickly fell in love with the impacts therapeutic riding had on participants and their families. This inspired her to become an instructor. In 2009, she graduated with her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of West Florida and became a certified PATH Intl. therapeutic riding instructor at the Leaning Post Ranch in Northwest Florida. Linsey has taught at therapeutic riding programs in Florida, Hawaii, and Maryland, as well as, teaching Special Education in Hawaii. She, along with her OTTB (turned Hawaii Polo Pony, turned showjumper) has shown in the Hunter and jumper rings. Linsey has completed at local dressage shows in Florida and Maryland. She and her Hawaii thoroughbred still enjoy a long trail ride most of all. She now is blessed to have found a home at MTR. She aspires to attain her Advanced Instructor certification and one day become a site evaluator.

Linsey, along with her husband and two little boys, have a small hobby farm with her quirky Thoroughbred, teeny-tiny pony, 3 itty-bitty pygmy goats, and 3 lazy housecats. In her downtime, you can hear her belting show tunes, hiking, running, and watching too many organizational how-to videos.

Jessica Mitchell – Operations Manager

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Jessica has been an equine enthusiast since the age of 6 and spent much of her childhood seeking out opportunities to be around them, be it volunteering at camps, helping with barn chores and taking every opportunity to ride possible. She spent several years competing in local hunter/jumper shows and learning a multitude of valuable life lessons.

Jessica met her husband, Kevin not long after earning a B.A. degree in Sociology from Dickinson College. They have since settled in Anne Arundel County, not far from the farm with their two dogs, two cats and ever-changing foster dog. When Jessica is not at the farm, she enjoys diving into a good book, traveling the world, hiking, kayaking, meeting new people all while practicing her photography skills!

Lisa Zehring – Donor Engagement Manager

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Lisa comes to MTR with a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others. She is looking forward to sharing the work of MTR to foster awareness and grow commitment within our community.

Lisa earned her master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Development and spent much of her professional career in that capacity. Following the diagnosis of her daughter with type 1 diabetes at a young age, she began her philanthropic path working for years with JDRF in the roles of volunteer, chairperson, board member, and employee. Prior to joining MTR she was a Philanthropy Coordinator for a local retirement community working with their scholarship and benevolent care programs.

Lisa is a lifelong horse lover that grew up riding and competing with hunters/jumpers. She was a member of the riding team at her alma mater, Colorado State University. She is excited for the opportunity to combine her interests of philanthropy and horses in her role at MTR.

Lisa lives in Arnold with her husband Mike, and their two bullmastiffs. They are enjoying their empty nest, but fully appreciate any time they can get with their three grown children (Madison, Nick and Braden). In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, walking, skiing, traveling and reading.