Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA), a non-profit, Board-led organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering of working equines and the people they serve in the developing world, announced the election of four new members to its Board of Directors. The new members are esteemed leaders with a passion for improving the health, welfare and productivity of working horses, donkeys and mules. They have been selected to serve alongside an already impressive list of equestrian and business influencers who guide Brooke USA’s success.
New Board members include:
Tannetta Fentener van Vlissingen has lived in the United Kingdom and South Africa at various points in her life. She now lives in the United States, between Maine and North Carolina (Southern Pines). Tannetta always states that her love of animals was instilled at a young age and in fact, as a child in boarding school in England, she donated to The Brooke. Tannetta started an organization called Horses with Hope which operates out of her farm in Maine. Horses with Hope works closely with various other rescues in the Northeast and provides foster and training for horses that have been rescued from auctions or seized by animal control.
John Nicholson lives in Georgetown, Kentucky. He has served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park and CEO of the Virginia Horse Center. John led the Kentucky Horse Park during its rise to prominence on the global equestrian stage, which included hosting the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games and procuring the prestigious National Horse Show. In 2010, he received the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award from the American Horse Publications, an award that recognizes outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry. Returning to Brooke USA after a hiatus, John is a founding Board member of Brooke USA and served as Board Chair in 2020.
Katie Roth resides in Aiken, South Carolina, and is the Editor & Publisher of the New Bridge Polo magazine. Now in its eleventh year, the magazine has won numerous national awards for excellence and creativity. Katie also handles public relations and marketing for New Bridge Polo & Country Club. Her career began in the motorsports industry, and she has experience in many areas including public relations, writing, promotion, photography and event management. Katie chairs Brooke USA’s Aiken Regional Advisory Council and founded the Ponies & Pearls fundraiser. The popular event, held in Aiken, South Carolina, and Wellington, Florida, serves as a celebration of Women’s Polo and benefits Brooke USA’s female empowerment programs. Katie also competes in dressage with her two mares.
Holly C. Sampson spends her time between Duluth, Minnesota, and Okatie, South Carolina. She is the retired president and CEO of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. Under her leadership, the Community Foundation grew from $5 million in endowed assets in 1990 to $80 million at her retirement in 2020 and granted more than $60 million back to the community during her tenure. Holly is an active member of the philanthropic and charitable community (currently serving as chair of the Tweed Museum of Art Advisory Board at the University of Minnesota Duluth), steering committee member of the capital campaign of First Witness Child Advocacy Center, and member of the Aiken Regional Advisory Council of Brooke USA Foundation.
Brooke USA’s Board of Directors is currently led by Dr James “Jim” Hamilton, who noted about the recent Board appointments that, “reaching all those with a passion for the equestrian sport across the country remains a priority for this nonprofit, as we work together to expand geographically, reach more supporters and grow Brooke USA for the benefit of people and animals in need.” “All four of our newest Board members embody the spirit of Brooke USA and bring talent, expertise and energy to the table,” stated Emily Dulin, Chief Executive Officer. “We are very fortunate to have them by our side as we continue to increase brand recognition and build a strong foundation of donors and friends throughout the country.”
Brooke USA’s 2021 Board of Directors is comprised of:
Officers:
- James “Jim” Hamilton DVM, Chair; NC
- Laura Rombauer, Vice Chair; CA
- Mark Beausoleil, Treasurer; FL
- Lisa Bair, Secretary; FL
- David Jones, Chair Emeritus; NC
- Emily Dulin, CEO; FL
Directors-at-large:
- Pernilla Ammann, FL
- Tannetta Fentener van Vlissingen, NC
- Tami Fratis, FL
- Sally Frick, SC
- Dwayne Hildreth, TX
- Gill Johnston, TN
- John Nicholson, KY
- Katie Roth, SC
- Holly Sampson, MN
- Jennifer Schechter, FL
- Lisa Spoden, FL
- Chris Tattersall, UK
- Julia Wilson, DVM, MN
- Stuart Winston, CA
About Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA)
The mission of Brooke USA is to significantly improve the health, welfare and productivity of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people who depend on them for survival worldwide. We are committed to sustainable economic development by reducing poverty, increasing food security, ensuring access to water, providing a means to education, and raising basic standards of living through improved equine health and welfare. We accomplish this by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need.
Brooke USA strives to alleviate the suffering and vulnerability of developing communities by funding and implementing programs that improve the quality of life and health of working equines and thereby positively impacting their economic sustainability, protecting the planet, ensuring gender equality, and guaranteeing life on land resilience. We want to see healthy, happy people and equines that work in partnership to achieve sustainable local economies.
