Our Board
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Sue Eulau (she/her)
PATH Instructor - Equine Specialist
Co-Founder & President
Favorite Quote:
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted
~ Aesop
Sue is a retired Oncology Nurse and former Daycare Director and Foster Parent. She is also a PATH certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Sue learned early in her nursing career that life is precious and we should spend our days doing things that help others, and in return, make us feel better also. Courageous Connections was the perfect answer to “what is next?” after retirement. She often says that she works more hours now than when she was “working,” but the rewards she gets from watching this vision that she and Kathy had, turn into a reality, are beyond anything she could have imagined.
Kathy Sanders (she/her)
PATH Instructor - Equine Specialist & Certified Riding Instructor
Co-Founder & Interim Treasurer
Favorite Quote:
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
~ Lao Tzu
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 the completion of a common goal.
Barb Pardee (she/her)
Vice President
Favorite Quote:
Peace begins with a smile.
~ Mother Teresa
Barbara was born and raised in Washington and had a love for horses at a very young age. After growing up she was able to have horses of her own and became more aware of their capabilities. When wintering in the Palm Springs area she volunteered for a Therapeutic Riding organization called Pegasus for 3 years. There she learned the essence of a connection between a horse and a participant. In April of 2019 she found CC, has volunteered with them, and believes she is attuned to their mission and vision as she has seen many success stories.
Julia Wilson-Lagace (she/her)
Secretary
Favorite Quote:
"You’re never too old to learn something new; take another chance; create another goal or keep dreaming…"
Julia (a naturalized citizen of UK and Australian origin) found Courageous Connections having retired from careers in Air Traffic Control, teaching and volunteering with organizations such as the Peace Corps, Bellevue College, and most recently her HOA. She came as a volunteer, recognizing an organization that has a mission and vision that aligns with her values. She joined to be a part of a community that has a dedication to spreading love through education and service to others accepting the personal worth of each individual.
Although she has, as yet, insufficient experience with horses to participate in the workshops and classes, there are plenty of other opportunities in the garden and around the farm to help the organization fulfill its mission.
Amanda Zamara
Favorite Quote:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
Amanda was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and relocated in 2017 to Snohomish County to support her husband’s career. Shortly after the move, her son was
diagnosed with autism, leading Amanda to discover a new purpose as both a dedicated caregiver and autism advocate.
She was first introduced to Courageous Connections at an open house event for families of children with disabilities. Amanda was so moved by her son’s experience with the horses and the compassionate staff that she was inspired to volunteer. She joined our social media team, where she has helped grow Courageous Connections’ online presence by sharing participant success stories and building community engagement. Amanda is honored to serve on the board
and looks forward to supporting Courageous Connections’ mission of transforming lives through equine assisted learning.
Jess Marlee
Favorite Quote:
“Most of us don’t think of, or experience, ourselves as animals. Yet, by not living through our instincts, we aren’t fully human either.”
~Peter A. Levine
Jess is an eclectic person with experience as an aerospace quality specialist, farm owner, and equine specialist. Her love of horses started at a young age and has only grown since. She found Courageous Connections in 2022 through her growth in self-awareness and chose to spend time volunteering where she found her values are matched and harmonized. Since 2022, it has been a natural progression to get more and more involved to support the people and animals providing a comforting service to our community. Jess stated, “This community is so beautiful and authentic, I want to do whatever I can to help it continue for many more years to come.”
Rhonda Royce
Favorite Quote:
“Anything worth having is worth working for.”
A mom, grandma, retired teacher, and volunteer. I was a Special Education Teacher for 22 years in Illinois
before retiring in 2023 and moving to Lake Stevens to be near family. My 3 children and 5 grandchildren are truly the light of my life.
Let me say packing up my entire life and moving 2,150 miles was the biggest adventure of my life to date, and I am blessed everyday with an amazing life here in the PNW! Being of service is a huge part of who I am. Working with children and adults that have special needs started when I was 11 years old. My father was a member of the AMBUCS whose mission is to help people with disabilities and I volunteered at their Summer Camp for 10 years. I believe this shaped my future as a Special Education Teacher.
Courageous Connections has become a cornerstone of my life for many reasons. I love animals and especially our horse friends. Helping and being of service gives my life purpose. Spending time outside with the horses and participants as well as the physical benefits of the barn chores has been positive in every way.
I have found a Community that I am grateful to be part of. I am honored to be on the board of Directors and excited to see Courageous Connections grow in the future.
Steven Smiley
Favorite Quote:
“A broom is an army of straw”. Leonard Cohen
As a semi-retired clean energy expert, analyst and technician, Steve’s primary goal on the board is to make Courageous Connections a 100% renewable, sustainable energy farm, providing the guidance necessary to implement a solar and battery storage system—while eliminating the energy bill, generating and storing clean energy and endowing the non-profit with long-term economic and energy security.