UpReach Staff
The UpReach staff is the most passionate, caring, and dedicated team anywhere! With over sixty collective years of experience, these talented individuals are here because they choose to be. That's what makes UpReach magic!
Karen Kersting, Executive Director
Karen joined UpReach as the Executive Director in 1998 but initially became involved when her band, "Karen Morgan and Pony Express" donated services to the UpReach Hoedown. As former Vice President in Cash Management at Citizens Bank, Karen brings her skills in financial analysis, product development, and project management to the organization. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Emerson College with a BA in Theater Education, Karen is a PATH Intl. member. She currently sits on the NH Juvenile Diversion Network Board of Directors and is former co-chair of the PATH Intl. Center Advancement Committee
Kathryn Conway, Marketing and communications director
Kathryn joined the team in early 2021 and brings a diverse skillset of combined experience in the areas of marketing communications, event management, as well as nonprofit program administration and development to the organization. As a lifelong and passionate fan of the horse, she has first-hand experience in many of the ways in which horses can physically and mentally improve life for children and adults.
Kristen McGraw, Program director
Kristen McGraw Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl.), Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Level II Therapeutic Driving Instructor, and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She served as the PATH Intl. New Hampshire State Chair from 2003-2006, currently is the PATH Intl. Membership Outreach Committee Chair, and was the Region 1 Representative and a past representative from 2006-2010, and as a Driving Committee member from 2007-2011. In 2012, Kristen received the PATH Intl. Certified Professional of the Year Award for Region 1. In 2010, she graduated from the Leadership Series through the NH Institute on Disabilities. As the co-guardian of an adult with a developmental disability, Kristen was appointed to sit on the Developmental Disabilities Council by Gov. Lynch in Oct. 2011 and served as the Chair of the Council from 2012-2016. Kristen oversees all of UpReach’s unmounted programs that support improving the physical, emotional, and psychological development of children and adults with disabilities.
Lauren Diener, Mounted Program Manager
Lauren joined the UpReach family in 2005 and is a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College, with a BS in Child Development. She is a member of the New Hampshire Association of Volunteer Administrator (NHAVA), is a past president, and received the 2011 Judith Lonergan Volunteer Administrator Award. Lauren received the 2014 New Hampshire Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Management. She is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and a Level I Therapeutic Driving Instructor. Lauren is the 2017 PATH Intl. Region 1 Credentialed Professional of the Year.
Allison McCully, Unmounted Program Manager
Allison McCully is a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Science. In 2017, Allison was certified as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She also has her EAGALA certification. Allison also created and implements our Vocational Training Program.
Elizabeth “Liz” Cate, Therapeutic Riding and Driving instructor
Liz Cate graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in Equine Science, with a concentration in Therapeutic Riding. She received her PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification in 2013 and her Therapeutic Driving Instructor certification in 2019. In addition, Liz currently serves on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Association of Volunteer Administrators.
Elizabeth “Beth” Bernardi, equine operations manager
Beth became part of the UpReach team in August 2019. Beth is a certified PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She has worked at various barns throughout her life, training horses and instructing. Beth has an extensive background in training and riding. Beth has her Associates Degree in Human Services from NHTI.
Patti Sexton Volunteer Coordinator
Patti Sexton began as a volunteer with UpReach in the fall of 2012. Over the following decade, through several job changes; Kindergarten Teacher, Director of a Private Kindergarten and Preschool, Admin at a Montessori School then with a side of Billing for a Dental practice and then at a Pediatric Physical Therapy clinic, there was always the need for her to carve out a day or two to be ‘barn days’. With her bachelor’s in psychology and an Elementary Education certification, it became clear her passion is people and horses. Patti joined UpReach as the Volunteer Coordinator in January of 2023. Now every day is a ‘barn day’.
Wendy Calnan bookkeeper
Wendy joined the team in June of 2023 as keeper of the books.
Prior to UpReach, Wendy was a bookkeeper at a local high school. That experience, along with a life-long love of horses, makes her excited to be a part of Team UpReach. Wendy began riding at age 4 and considers herself very fortunate to be able to have horses as her co-workers!
Wendy was born in England and came to the United States when she was in high school. Wendy attended UMASS Amherst and initially pursued a career in the hospitality industry prior to moving into finance and accounting.
Jesi Russell Barn/Facility Manager
Jesi is a lifelong horse girl who began riding at the age of 6. She loves all animals and enjoys witnessing how they positively affect others as they have her. Being in the company of the animals and sharing awareness, knowledge and kindness are an integral part of Jesi’s life mission. Jesi has worked with a broad range of breeds and diciplines over the course of her equine career, with her crowning achievement to date being the successful training and ongoin development of her very own horse - Monster, an 8 year-old Paint gelding, who she’s had since he was a foal.
Tiffany MacNeil Unmounted Program ASSISTANT manager
Tiffany brings her love of yoga, music, and connection to the natural world to her work with horses. Her passion is partnering with horses to create a safe, inclusive space for exploration, communication, and mindfulness, where she finds endless inspiration in what they have to teach humans.
“It is magical to see participants slow down, become more grounded, and experience their own “aha moments” in the presence of horses. Shifts in confidence and self-awareness grow from there. It’s all about good energy and connection!”
Tiffany holds a BA in Psychology, is a Certified Yoga Instructor and an Equine Interaction Professional.
Audrey vela mounted program assistant manager
Audrey is a graduate of Johnson and Wales with degree in Equine Science and is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH Intl.
A lifelong love of horses led her to a career in Therapeutic Horsemanship. A Connecticut Native, Audrey previously worked at High Hopes, an UpReach sister center, based in Old Lyme.
Audrey joined UpReach in 2023 and now lives in Southern New Hampshire.
JAN DIMARZIO, UPREACH COMMUNITY BINGO COORDINATOR
Jan serves as UpReach’s Bingo Coordinator on Thursday and Friday evenings at the Community Bingo Center in Manchester, NH. For over 20 years Jan has overseen the volunteers and ensures our compliance with the State of NH Charitable Gaming Division. Many thanks to Jan for her efforts to support this valuable revenue stream for UpReach!
CANDACE HANENBERG,MSW Unmounted program facilitator
Candace began volunteering in 2019 and joined the UpReach team in 2022 after interning for both her BSW and MSW programs. She is a certified PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and the current PATH Intl. NH State Chair. As a life-long equestrian she understands the power of connections with horses, and is grateful to combine her personal and professional experiences to help others.
Sara McCarthy
GRANT WRITER
Sara became part of the UpReach team in May 2018. She is a Manchester native, and has extensive experience in non-profit development work, all in the Greater Manchester Community. In her twelve years she has developed, and executed multiple annual campaigns , has created and managed five significant fundraising events annually , along with six cultivation events highlighting at-risk youth programming in Manchester.
Sara holds an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts
from Southern New Hampshire University.
