About Us
Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.
Our Team
We are a dedicated group of board members, staff, and community partners working together to support San Miguel’s children with special needs. Combining nonprofit expertise, business experience, and a shared passion for making a difference, we unite compassion with action.
Through our skills, energy, and commitment, we empower children, support families, and strengthen our community—creating a lasting, positive impact.
Founder & President | Jean Gerber
After a successful commercial real estate career in New York, Miami and San Francisco, Jean has made her home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico since 2002. She served as Executive Director and Board Member of Casita Linda, a highly-respected nonprofit that builds homes for deserving families around San Miguel de Allende. A passionate horsewoman, Jean understood the power of equine therapy to transform young lives, and together with a talented team of equestrian, business and medical professionals, she founded Equinoterapia SMA in 2023.
Secretary & Vice-President | Jim Kraus
A former advertising Creative Director in Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas, Jim spent his college summers teaching art to developmentally disabled young adults living in group homes. He moved to San Miguel de Allende full-time in 2021 and creates art in his studio in colonia San Antonio. Having raised a child on the autism spectrum, Jim understands the unique needs of neuro-diverse children and their families—and the value of therapeutic services to foster loving communities where all are accepted.
Treasurer | Alan Rodriguez
Certified Public Accountant specializing in Non-Profits and Tax-Deductible Organizations. With over 10 years of experience strengthening the financial foundation of social impact projects. My philosophy as Treasurer is clear: financial transparency is the bridge of trust that allows us to scale impact and transform lives.
Board Member | Mike Koen
A 25+ year veteran of Sears Roebuck, Mike brings a wealth of success managing growing organizations with complex budgets. His service in the nonprofit world started in Chicago, where he served on the Executive Committee of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) from 2003 to 2008 and then CJESenior Life from 2004 to present. Here in San Miguel, Mike offers financial expertise and support to Casita Linda, Feed the Hungry and Ninos con Autismo – a therapeutic center he co-founded with his wife Joyce to offer testing, training and resources to children on the Autism spectrum.
Board Member | Hope Haywood Boland
Hope Haywood Boland has dedicated more than four decades to philanthropy, child advocacy, and community service across the United States and Canada. Her work has consistently centered on improving the lives of children and families, supporting the arts, and advancing therapeutic riding programs.
Hope began her nonprofit service in Chicago (1983–1992), where she was an active member of the Women’s Board of Children’s Memorial Hospital, the Auxiliary Board of the Lincoln Park Zoo, The Field Museum of Chicago, Friends of the Globe Theater, and the Therapeutic Riding program in Barrington, Illinois.
From 1992–1997, while residing in Jacksonville, Florida, she continued her commitment to youth and family support through board roles with the Children’s Museum of Jacksonville and service as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children in the court system.
During her years in Montreal (1997–2013), Hope served on the Women’s Board of Montreal General Hospital, supported Houses of Hope – a children’s home initiative – and participated in Friends of the Hermitage, further broadening her community impact internationally.
After relocating to California’s Santa Ynez Valley (2014–2021), she became involved with Santa Ynez Therapeutic Riding and served on the Track Committee at Alisal Ranch.
Hope brings to the board a deep passion for therapeutic horsemanship, a lifetime of nonprofit leadership experience, and a heartfelt commitment to improving quality of life for vulnerable children and families.
Director of Therapeutic Services & Certified Equine Therapist | Lizeth Aida Martinez Montañez
Lizeth Martínez is a highly qualified Certified Equine Therapist with extensive experience in therapeutic riding and equine-assisted therapy. She earned her certification through Concepto GRONAR, endorsed by FEMTE and FEM, and has completed multiple specialized training modules in hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and equine-assisted interventions. With over 12 years of experience and six years of hands-on practice at leading equine therapy centers—including her role as Lead Equine Therapist at “Yo Levanto la Mano por Ti”—Lizeth has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, supporting a broad range of physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. Her approach combines science-based therapeutic techniques, horse-assisted activities, and personalized therapeutic treatment plans to foster progress and well-being. Beyond her therapeutic expertise, Lizeth is deeply committed to education and training. She has led numerous workshops to prepare volunteers, parents, and educators, ensuring a collaborative, compassionate, and safe environment for all participants. At Equinoterapia SMA, Lizeth oversees program development, therapist training, and personalized client care, helping children and families benefit from the healing connection between humans and horses. Lizeth aims for excellence, ethics, and science-based protocols to develop quality programs, maintain equine care, and support children’s growth. Her goals include promoting excellence, ethics, protocol adherence, program certification, and equine principles, contributing to Program Quality & Development. She strives to attain excellence in equine therapy education, certification, program development, quality, and child development to benefit children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Certified Equine Therapist | Lisa Attridge de Gordillo
Originally from the U.K., Lisa grew up immersed in swimming and horseback riding—activities that ignited a lifelong passion for movement, wellbeing and horses.
For more than 35 years, she has dedicated her career to health and fitness, with a strong focus on physical movement, nutrition and overall wellness.
In 2001, Lisa moved to Mexico, where she met and married her husband, a fellow equine enthusiast.
In 2023, Lisa became a certified Equine-Assisted Coach, specializing in emotional growth, life transitions and empowerment coaching for adults.
She is also certified through the Asociación Mexicana de Equitación Terapéutica A.C. (AMET) as a Hippotherapist, with a specialization in working with children and youth.
