Eric L. Straus has spent his career at the intersection of equestrian sport, event management, and nonprofit leadership — and he brings every dimension of that experience to his role as President of EqHSF.
As former CEO of the Washington International Horse Show and Executive Director of the American Horse Shows Association, he has seen firsthand how safety standards at major competitions can mean the difference between a well-managed emergency and a preventable tragedy.
Eric served as Technical Coordinator for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and has held leadership roles across USHJA Zone governance and the International Officials Club. A USEF Jumper Judge, USEF Steward, and FEI Level 3 Steward, Eric understands equestrian sport from the ground up — from the rulebook to the rail. He also chairs EqHSF's Equestrian Advisory Board.
Eric's expertise in strategic partnerships, government relations, and philanthropic development helps EqHSF expand its reach and deepen its impact across the sport.
Sue Harada brings more than two decades of financial and operational expertise to the equestrian industry, and a deep understanding of what it takes to run major competitions safely and sustainably.
Since entering the equestrian world in 2004 as CFO of the Capital Challenge Horse Show, she has built her career around the business infrastructure that allows great events to happen.
Sue founded Equine Financial in 2017, a bookkeeping and consulting firm serving equestrian businesses, and currently serves as Executive Director and Director of Finance for the Washington International Horse Show — a role that required steering the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant venue transition.
Sue's financial discipline and organizational leadership help ensure EqHSF deploys its resources where they matter most: protecting athletes and advancing safety programs across the sport.
Jesse Smith brings to EqHSF something no credential can substitute for: the lived experience of a lifelong equestrian.
Competing since 1992 and now dedicated full-time to the sport, Jesse understands the culture, the risks, and the real-world demands of equestrian life from the inside.
Jesse's professional background spans federal tax law, bankruptcy, and mergers and acquisitions — disciplines that strengthen EqHSF's governance, financial oversight, and legal integrity. She has also led complex business operations as the head of a vertically integrated manufacturing company, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, one of EqHSF's key horse show partners.
Jesse's combination of legal acumen, business leadership, and equestrian perspective gives EqHSF's board a grounded, athlete-centered voice at the table.
Stephen Nessel is co-founder and CEO of Tull MD Skincare, the first medical-grade skincare and sunscreen brand developed specifically for equestrian athletes.
Stephen has spent years translating clinical research into practical solutions for riders and the people who support them. His broader career spans financial services, human resources, risk management, healthcare, and executive coaching, giving him the operational range to help EqHSF grow as an organization while staying focused on its mission. He also serves as a director of The In Gate, Inc., a curated equestrian lifestyle company.
Stephen brings to EqHSF a conviction that equestrians deserve the same quality of health resources as athletes in any other sport and a track record of building the businesses that help close that gap.
Dr. Michele Hollis has built her career at the intersection of emergency medicine and equestrian sport — and that intersection is precisely where EqHSF's work lives.
A board-certified Emergency Medicine physician with over two decades of experience, Dr. Hollis has dedicated her practice to the care of equestrian athletes at every level, from local competitors to Olympic-level riders, through a concierge approach tailored to the unique demands of the sport.
Dr. Hollis is a Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and has served athletes at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Within the equestrian community, she chairs the USHJA Safety Committee and sits on the USEF Human and Equine Safety & Welfare Committee.
As Medical Director of EqHSF, Dr. Hollis also chairs the Foundation's Medical Advisory Board, bringing evidence-based clinical expertise to every program and initiative EqHSF undertakes.
Leading physicians from across the country, representing multiple specialties and bringing direct equestrian expertise and interests, provide the Foundation and its Medical Director with expert guidance on current best practices in athlete health, safety, and emergency preparedness.
Distinguished equestrian leaders and active elite competitors whose firsthand perspective and practical insight are paramount in helping shape the Foundation’s health and safety mission.
Laura Kraut
Kevin Babington
Tatiana Dzavik
John R. French
Jim Hagman
Will Haselden
Stacia Madden
Brianne Goutal Marteau
Callie Schott