Equest Names 22-Member 2026 Board, Adds Eight New Directors

Equest has named a 22-member Board of Directors for 2026, elevating Brooke Bailey to board chair, naming Megan Martin vice chair, keeping Daniel Valentine as treasurer, and appointing Erika Burton as secretary. The organization said it welcomes eight new board members as it prepares for another year of program expansion and fundraising to support equine-assisted services across North Texas.

Eric Lindh, CEO of Equest, framed the slate as a mix of professional expertise and community commitment: “These leaders bring not only impressive professional expertise, but also a deep commitment to service and community impact,” Lindh said. “Their collective insight and dedication will be instrumental as we continue to expand our programs and ensure Equest remains a place of hope, healing, and possibility for the individuals and families we serve.”

The 2026 announcement follows a 2025 board cycle in which Equest operated with a 23-member board led by Chair Amy Green, Vice Chair Brooke Bailey, Secretary Marianne Fazen, and Treasurer Daniel Valentine. Amy Green spoke at the time about the program’s mission: “I’m excited to take on this role because I believe in the power of the human horse connection to change lives. I look forward to working alongside a fantastic board of directors who are equally passionate about Equest.” Several individuals who joined the board in 2025 are named with professional affiliations, including Erika Burton, President of B&B Interiors; Ryan Casey, Technical Solutions Architect at Cisco; Amanda Gadison, Commercial Real Estate Attorney at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; Finley Konrade, Managing Director & Regional Vice President at Stanton Chase International; Natalie Low LaDriere, Vice President of Corporate Banking at Bank of Texas; and Meredith McKay, Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

Some names moved with the change of reins: Brooke Bailey moved from vice chair in 2025 to chair in 2026, Daniel Valentine retained the treasurer role, and Erika Burton, listed as a 2025 new member, appears as secretary for 2026. The 2026 announcement noted eight new directors but did not list those eight names in the excerpt released publicly.

For Rockwall County residents and volunteers, board changes matter because Equest oversees therapy programs that serve more than 3,000 people annually. Founded in 1981, Equest operates with 34 therapy horses, 10 instructors, four therapists, two counselors, and about 400 volunteers, and the volunteer program provides roughly 40,000 hours of direct program service. The organization was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country.

The new board will shape governance, fundraising priorities, and program partnerships that affect local clients, families, and volunteer opportunities. Readers seeking the full 2026 roster, bios for the eight new members, or updated program statistics should contact Equest directly or visit Equest’s website for the organization’s complete board listing and outreach opportunities.