Board of Directors
Paula Griggs became a board member of Flying Changes of Virginia in June 2010. Paula grew up loving horses. She graduated from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA with a dual degree in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Equine Studies. Paula has always wanted to combine her love of horses and passion for helping troubled youth into a long-term career. Paula found her chance while interning and volunteering as an Exercise Rider with Flying Changes’ Equine Program under Tekoa, Inc. Paula then went on to become an Equine Specialist in 2007. Paula accepted the position of Executive Director of Flying Changes of Virginia in October 2011. She is excited to work with Flying Changes’ board members, new and old, to make 2012 a fun and productive year! In her free time, Paula enjoys riding her own horse, teaching fitness classes at the gym, and hanging out with her two dogs.
Tiffany was born and raised around horses and many other farm animals in West Virginia. She says that if she only knew then that the passion for animals would be such a big part of her life, she might have started a savings account earlier! Today, Tiffany is proud to say that as a Radford University graduate, she is the founder and now president of Flying Changes of Virginia. She started working with horses and kids through her experience with Tekoa, Inc., a residential treatment facility for at-risk teens from across Virginia in 1999. Through her experiences there, she was able to see the power of animals, especially horses, in a different way. That program grew to a herd of more than 10 horses and three full-time staff. In June of 2008, Flying Changes was given an opportunity to grow into its’ own nonprofit organization and look for ways to utilize the community support in the growth of the program to serve the New River Valley. Tiffany is a registered instructor and recently certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) with PATH International. She is also EAGALA certified and enjoys participating in its Virginia networking group. As president, founder, and believer in the magic, she will forever have a part in sharing what horses can do for children and adults alike.
Ashley Hess, BOD – Vice President & Webmaster
Ashley became a member of the Board of Directors of Flying Changes in June 2010. She began volunteering with Flying Changes in August 2009 by helping with the Horse Sense program. She has owned her own horse since November 2009. Ashley has enjoyed working with Flying Changes and seeing the impact horses have made in the lives of young adults. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Communication in 2007 and a master’s degree in Education in 2011. She is a Spanish teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools. If you have any suggestions for the Flying Changes Web site, contact Ashley at ashley@flyingchanges.net.
Cyndi Hagan, BOD – Treasurer
Cyndi joined the Board of Directors of Flying Changes in May 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Roanoke College in 2003 and received her Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management in 2011. When she is not busy working at Community Housing Partners as the Senior Staff Accountant, she spends time with friends and family and reads lots of books. Though she has ridden a horse only one time, she believes there is no better creature on earth that can provide the type of therapy a horse can to a child in need.
Annelise Day, BOD – Secretary
Annelise has been with Flying Chances since June 2011. She is originally from Pennsylvania and recently moved to the area with her husband and two dogs. In 2007, Annelise graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and now works with a local Family Practice as its biller and coder. Her passion for horses began at a young age and continues to be a huge love and inspiration today. Her dream is to own a few horses of her own one day.
Kelly Nottingham, BOD – Volunteer & Marketing Coordinator
Joining Flying Changes in October 2011, Kelly is one of the newest board members. She is currently a junior at Virginia Tech, planning to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition in May 2013. Her hope is to attend physical therapy school to achieve her doctorate. Other than being a full-time student, Kelly is involved in an internship at University Physical Therapy in Blacksburg and is a member of several clubs on campus. She has been involved with horses for more than 14 years and still finds the time to ride during the school year. Some of her experience includes: riding for the VT equestrian team; an exercise rider for Flying Changes; and volunteering at Equi-kids, an equine therapy program based in Virginia Beach. Over the past five years, Kelly has developed a passion for being involved with the healing powers a horse can provide to children and young adults no matter their life history or physical state.
Kimberly Freeman Nelson, BOD
Kimberly joined the Board of Directors in November 2011. She received an A.A.S. in Human Services from New River Community College in 2000 and a B.S. in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University in 2007. Kim currently works as a Case Manager for Braley & Thompson Therapeutic Foster Care. While Kim is new to horses and therapeutic riding, she has spent time working with the Dalmation Rescue of Southwest Virginia, participating in fund-raising and awareness activities with them. Kim’s adopted Dalmation, Molly, turned 10 in November. Kim and her husband are in the planning stages of purchasing a farm and moving horses, cows, and donkeys from her father-in-law’s farm in Kentucky. She is looking forward to working with Flying Changes and to witness the difference equine therapy can make in the life of a child.
