Our Team
Kathy Sanders (She/Her)
Co-Founder & Instructor
Kathy has been a horse owner for 20 years, and a horse fanatic for her entire life! She is Path Intl Certified Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She loves bringing horses into the lives of others who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience these beings up close! Professionally she worked as a Senior Project Manager leading diverse teams toward completion of a common goal.
Sue Eulau (She/Her)
Co-Founder & Instructor
Sue has likewise been a horse fanatic her entire life and has volunteered in other adaptive riding programs. She is also a Path Intl certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Professionally, she has been an Oncology Nurse for 30 years, and has worked as a daycare director for special needs children. She loves to volunteer and has worked at Bailey Bouche House with HIV positive clients and was a Washington State Foster Parent.
Chloe Wilkins (She/Her)
MSW, SUDP, PATH Instructor
Chloe has partnered with horses her entire lifetime and owes a great debt to the lessons learned from them. She has been invested in the equine assisted services community since 2012 and marvels at the simple engagement with horses that lead to major life transitions. She is a PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Professionally, Chloe has worked primarily with youth and adults who are impacted by Substance Use Disorders both in a clinical capacity and through community-based harm-reduction.
Elizabeth Hillis (She/Her)
Board Member / Volunteer Coordinator
Lisa spent her career in the insurance industry with many in product management. Roles as program manager in the for-profit sector, and her business consulting experience for a variety of nonprofits, has provided her the benefit of experiencing many different perspectives and backgrounds. Lisa joined Courageous Connections as a board member in 2018 and it has exposed her to greater diversity. People who are fearless and brave, trying new things, overcoming fear and sharing joy in the process. Courageous Connections leverages her professional experience and she reports “the experience leaves me filled with hope and a desire to continue to learn through others”.
Jennifer Zill
(MA, ED. S)
She has 37 years of experience in the mental health field working with a variety of clients and settings to include a diverse field of expertise. She has spent the last 17 years working in a school setting as an Educational Psychologist. Prior to that she worked with a variety of clients such as:
-
Individual and couples counseling in a mental health and private practice setting
-
Worked in conjunction with Juvenile Justice programs to include both incarcerated and paroled youth by providing counseling and support
-
Homeless youth liaison and outreach in a group home setting, on the streets and in schools designated for homeless youth
-
Conducted group and individual counseling in an inpatient and outpatient mental health facility
Jennifer holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Western Washington University, a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from City University and an Ed Specialist Degree from Seattle University. She is passionate about mental health as well as horses and is excited to join the Courageous Connections Team as a volunteer!
Liz Vital-Gragnani
(MA, LMHCA, SUDPT, RDT)
is a drama therapist and mental health counselor, as well as an actor, a mother, and a lover of animals. She first came across Equestrian Therapy 18 years ago when she and her mother, who has since passed away, volunteered with a group called Horsefeathers. Therapeutic Riding Center. She sought out similar volunteer work in the Washington area in order to integrate the work with her current counseling career, and also to commune with the spirit of her mother through working with horses again. She feels that meeting Kathy, Lisa and Sue (all family members!) is serendipitous and she cannot wait to connect and carry out this beautiful therapeutic method along side them and their dedicated team.
