Jessica Moore
jmoore@mckennafarms.org
Founder & Executive Director
Jessica Moore is originally from Livingston, New Jersey, but has called Paulding County home for more than 20 years. As a Physical Therapist Assistant, she founded our organization in 2000 with the help of her horse McKenna. She has loved watching the growth of the organization that combines her passion for horses and helping children. She loves spending time with her two sons, Jackson and Aidan, being outdoors, and traveling.
Megan Hubbard
mhubbard@mckennafarms.org
Develpment Director
Georgia native and Auburn graduate, Megan grew up with horses and farm life. She has lived in many places across the United States and overseas as a military spouse. Following her husband’s roots back to the area, her family is happy to call Paulding County home. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and the outdoors with her husband and two sons. Megan is overjoyed to be a part of the McKenna Farms family and is enthusiastic about fundraising and helping the farm flourish.
Hallie Mac Pherson
hmacpherson@mckennafamrs.org
Therapeutic Programs Director
Physical Therapist PT, MPT
Hallie joined the McKenna Farms team in 2015, and she feels lucky to be part of all the families’ lives that she works with. She loves soccer, and even played for her college team at Carson Newman University. Hallie lives with her husband Erik and their two kids, Evan and Ella. In her spare time, Hallie likes to spend time with her family, watch her children play sports, work out, and decorate her house.
Karen Burnsed
kburnsed@mckennafarms.org
Director of Communications
Belinda Cowart
bcowart@mckennafarms.org
Accountant
Belinda loves football, tennis, and sun! She enjoys going to the beach with her husband Randall and cheering on her favorite team the University of Alabama. Belinda loves the farm setting at McKenna and getting to know all of the wonderful staff.
Cheryl Ziegler
cziegler@mckennafarms.org
Clients Account Manager
Cheryl is originally from suburban Chicago, and has been working at McKenna Farms since 2003. She is married with two sons, one of whom has autism. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, sewing, and baking. Cheryl loves the cozy atmosphere at McKenna Farms and is happy to be part of a work family that is helping special needs individuals.
Sephorah Bergquist
sbergquist@mckennafarms.org
Office Manager
Sephorah originally joined the McKenna Farms family in 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services, and a master’s degree in Elementary Education. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, reading, and spending time with her husband Ethan and their two dogs, Heidi and Beesly. Sephorah’s favorite part about working at McKenna Farms is the opportunity to serve these amazing kids and their families, and being the self-proclaimed apprentice to Franz!
Monique Sparks
volunteerdirector@mckennafarms.org
Volunteer Director
Monique moved to GA from South Florida in 2012 and loves calling West Cobb home. She has a degree in Business Management, spent 20 years as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor, then 5 years as the Community Engagement Liason for her husband's jewelry shop, The Jewelsmith. She came to McKenna in June of 2024, and it's a perfect fit. Formerly a competitive rider, she loves horses, enjoys getting to know people, and finds special meaning in the service McKenna offers their clients. When she's not working, she can be found gardening, canning, sitting on the front porch reading, and spending time outside with her family and her dog, Indie.
Katherine Huff
kparsons@mckennafarms.org
Director of Equine Programs
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
PATH Intl. ESMHL
PATH Intl. Instructor Mentor
Katherine is an Atlanta native and an Auburn University alum. Her favorite spot at McKenna is the creek where she often takes her riders to visit.
In her free time, Katherine loves eating sushi and watching Auburn football. Fun fact: Katherine is obsessed with pugs and plans to own many in the future!
Brooke Robertson
brobertson@mckennafarms.org
Client Coordinator
Brooke, our newest member in the office at McKenna Farms, grew up right down the road here in Dallas, Georgia. She has a Human Services degree and has been working with individuals with special needs for the past 10 years. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, exploring new places, and volunteering. Brooke’s favorite part about working at McKenna Farms has been getting to meet and interact with the amazing kids and their families!
Gina Valerio
frontoffice@mckennafarms.org
Michelle Baldus
mbaldus@mckennafarms.org
Authorizations Coordinator
Michelle joined the McKenna Farms team 13 years ago after family members introduced her to the organization. She lives with her husband of 29 years Franz, her beautiful teenage daughter, and their two dogs. In her free time, Michelle enjoys watching movies and going shopping!
Scocia Robbins
srobbins@mckennafarms.org
Scocia Robbins, Equine Operations Manager
Scocia grew up in Kennesaw, and has been involved with horses since the age of 3. She volunteered at McKenna for 5 years before joining the staff as Equine Operations Manager. Scocia lives with her husband Michael, daughter Bryce, and their handsome dog Conway. Her favorite part of working at McKenna is “being able to get horsey hugs every day, especially from Gizmo!” Outside of work, Scocia enjoys watching her daughter ride horses, spending time with the two family horses Elly and Adira, coaching her daughter’s softball team with her husband, playing softball, kayaking, going to concerts with her husband, traveling with friends, and taking long walks with Conway.
Steven Dennis
sdennis@mckennafarms.org
Volunteer Training Facilitator
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Steven Dennis served in the United States Navy 2007-2012, he sustained an injury that caused him to lose his ability to walk and use the right side of his body. During treatment at the Shepherd Center, he was first introduced to PATH Intl. and did Therapeutic Riding at a center in Atlanta, GA. He attended St. Andrews University, an equestrian college in Laurinburg, NC. He learned a lot about horses and competed in IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association), receiving his degree in Visual Arts and Therapeutic Horsemanship.
Francoise DeManche
fdemanche@mckennafarms.org
Volunteer Program Assistant
Francoise is originally from Miami, Florida and loves to call Kennesaw, GA, her home. She began coming to McKenna as a volunteer, then joined part-time in 2023. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her four grandkids, riding horses and motorcycles, traveling and generally playing outdoors. Her favorite part of being at McKenna is all the true friendships she's found and the happy and adventurous atmosphere the sweet horses provide.
Lauren Gordon
lgordon@mckennafarms.org
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Gabriella Hartz
ghartz@mckennafarms.org
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Stephanie Hutcherson
shutcherson@mckennafarms.org
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
CHA English Level 1 Instructor
CHA Western Level 1 Instructor
Stephanie was born in Fargo, North Dakota but spent most of her time growing up in Montana. She now lives in Adairsville with her husband Steve, her Appaloosa horse Cooper, her Silky Terriers Bodie and Piper, and cats Sam, Sushi, and Motley. Stephanie has been a Horse Riding Instructor for over two decades throughout north Atlanta, including working with Georgia Special Olympics equestrian teams and coaching Interscholastic Equestrian Teams. She is certified with the American Side Saddle Association as an instructor, clinician, and judge, and is the founder of GALA (Georgia Ladies Aside). Stephanie has extensive experience in sidesaddle riding, and was even a participant in a Presidential inaugural parade! She is now excited to work at McKenna Farms and “help the organization achieve its goals of positively impacting the lives of so many people.”
Lauren Carter
lcarter@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist MOT, OTR/L
Lauren is originally from Moultire, Georgia, and graduated from the University of St. Augustine. In her spare time, she loves cooking, going to the beach, fishing, and playing with her puppy. Lauren enjoys the amount of creative space available at McKenna Farms, working with amazing kids, and being surrounded by an awesome community of therapists.
Emmy Conrad
econrad@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L
Alexa Casares
acasares@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L
Alexa is originally from Scranton, PA and is a graduate of Elizabethtown College. She has many special talents including being a thrower on the Track and Field Team throughout high school and college, serving as the mascot for her high school football team, and dancing for 15 years! In her free time, Alexa enjoys shopping for the best deals, trying new restaurants, and watching Netflix. Her ultimate career goal is to have a Ted Talk…but says she has to do something worth talking about first!
Kara Foster
kfoster@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L
Kara is a former collegiate majorette from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and can still do a few baton tricks! In her free time, she loves shopping for great bargains at Goodwill and yard sales, doing home décor projects, and watching Hallmark/Disney movies. She lives with her husband Adam and their children Merritt and Everly.
Haley Franklin
hfranklin@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L
Haley grew up in the Kennesaw area, where she currently lives with her dog, Nash, and her cat, Cleo. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!) and Brenau University. She is passionate about nature-based and animal-assisted therapy, and was drawn to McKenna Farms for the variety of treatment options it provides and the sense of camaraderie among the staff and therapists. With a bachelors in studio art, she loves any activity where she gets to be creative or break out her art supplies. She has an extensive Audible library, and enjoys board games, escape rooms, going to the movies, and practicing new cake-decorating techniques.
Sarah Merced
smerced@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist OTD, OTR/L
Caroline Mitchell
cmitchell@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist. MHS, OTR/L
Caroline is a graduate of Augusta University's Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy program. After volunteering with pediatric OT feeding and handwriting summer camps in 2017, Caroline knew she wanted to pursue a career in pediatric OT. She found that OT was the perfect way to combine her passion for healthcare, serving others, and her love of horses. Caroline lives in Dallas with her dog, Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys making coffee, going on long walks, and traveling to the beach. Caroline grew to love McKenna farms during her graduate school fieldwork in Fall of 2023. She is thrilled to finally be on staff and loves watching her clients overcome challenges and become the best they can be! In the future, Caroline dreams of living on a farm and owning three horses.
Tori Oldham
toldham@mckennafarms.org
Occupational Therapist. MS, OTR/L
Tori is originally from Blairsville, Georgia. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Brenau University. Before coming to Mckenna, Tori worked as a travel therapist where she lived in Idaho, Oregon, and Texas. In her spare time, Tori enjoys traveling with her husband, crafting, watching football (go Dawgs!), and trail running with her dog, Maple. Tori loves getting kids outdoors and incorporating nature play into her OT sessions.
Dr. Megan Laudel
mlaudel@mckennafarms.org
Physical Therapist PT, DPT
Megan is a graduate of Brenau University. She enjoys watching Atlanta United, UGA, and Atlanta Falcons games, playing soccer, working out, and going on walks with her dog Brodee.
Denise Benville
dbenville@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
MS, CCC-SLP
Denise is originally from Vancouver, Washington. She enjoys planning family vacations, especially to Disney! In her free time, Denise volunteers with the Cherokee County Humane Society and the cat adoption center at PetSmart.
Erin Black
eblack@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
Erin graduated from Georgia State University. She lives in Rome with her husband Karsten, their dog, and their three cats. In her free time she enjoys thrifting, eating gelato, watching tv with her husband, and playing with her dog. Erin fell in love with McKenna Farms during her graduate school internship here and is excited to have officially joined the team! Erin loves making connections with her clients and helping them to communicate in ways that are best for them!
Kara Ingram
kingram@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
MS, CCC-SLP
Kara grew up right down the road from McKenna Farms. She loves working at McKenna Farms because “I love the opportunity to conduct therapy in a more naturalistic environment with a not-so-clinical feel.” Kara is usually accompanied by her Therapy Dog, Dooley, who you will see out and about around the farm. In her free time, Kara loves to be outside, traveling, or hanging out at the lake.
Chloe Edwards
cedwards@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
Chloe lives in Dallas with their partner and baby dog. Chloe's background is in early childhood education and after an internship at McKenna, they knew it was the place to be! Chloe specializes in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming play therapy and loves to utilize horses and humor to establish trusting, joyful relationships with clients. Chloe identifies as Autistic and connects strongly with Autistic clients' experiences and perspectives. In their free time, Chloe can be found under a weighted blanket watching Rupaul's Drag Race, reading, or building a puzzle!
Jessica Duffey
jduffey@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
M.Ed, CCC-SLP
PATH Intl. CTRI.
Jessica graduated from the University of West Georgia. Her favorite things about working at McKenna are “the incredible atmosphere and great kids”. In her free time, Jessica enjoys riding horses, hiking, and being outdoors. She and her husband have four dogs, three horses, and one cow!
Mary Kate Morris
mmorris@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
MEd, CCC-SLP
Mary Kate is a native Georgian. She loves working at McKenna Farms because the staff is “fantastic”! Mary Kate lives with her husband Kyle and their two children Brice and Emma.
Cairo Sanford
csanford@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
Cairo attended the University of Georgia for an undergraduate degree in Romance Languages before pursuing their Master’s of Science at Georgia State University. They speak Spanish, French, and Portuguese! Cairo interned at McKenna Farms for their last internship of school, and just could not leave! They pride themself on having a client-lead, play-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach that empowers autistic and neurotypical clients alike. In their free time, Cairo skates with Atlanta Roller Derby and enjoys hiking with their schnauzer puppy Junie.
Yessenia Velez
yvelez@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
Yessenia is an Acworth native and a graduate of Georgia State University. Her favorite thing about McKenna Farms is “the fact that all the staff, therapists and clients feel like one big family.” Outside of work, she enjoys singing, watching movies, and spending time with her husband who is also her high school sweetheart! Yessenia is bilingual and is a great resource for our Spanish-speaking families
Sarah Welborn
swelborn@mckennafarms.org
Speech Language Pathologist
Sarah attended the University of Georgia for undergrad and then Georgia State for grad school. She lives with her husband Josh, their bulldog-dachshund Roscoe, and their two cats Louie and Finn. In her free time, Sarah loves to go thrifting and work on DIY projects, and she’s a sucker for reality TV! Sarah loves the feeling of community at McKenna and the opportunity to interact with nature, and she’s excited to get trained in hippotherapy!
Franz Baldus
it@mckennafarms.org
IT, Webmaster
Franz has been involved with McKenna Farms for more than 18 years. He is the resident “fix it” guy for everything from electronic equipment to any type of machinery! Franz lives with his wife Mishi, and their dog Pacha. He is admittedly stubborn, but he has a soft spot for the kids at McKenna. His future goal is to live in a castle and have 15 or more dogs.
Therapy Pups!
Dooley
Therapy Pup!
Dooley is a chocolate Labradoodle born in 2021. She is a nationally certified therapy dog and loves spending time with all her friends at McKenna Farms. Her hobbies include playing with in/around water, fetching tennis balls, and going on walks. When you see her around McKenna Farms, she would love it if you asked to pet her!
Georgia
Therapy Pup!
Georgia is a miniature bernedoodle born on December 16, 2023. She is training to become a certified therapy dog. In Georgia's free time, she enjoys chewing sticks or pinecones, searching sneakily for socks to steal, and going on walks! Her favorite treat is dried sweet potato or salmon. Georgia loves meeting new people and spreading joy on public outings! Whenever you see her around the farm, ask about her many tricks! Woof woof!