Gina Gardiner & Friends with Hayley Holzhacker

Hayley Holzhacker BIO and LINK

My name is Hayley Holzhacker. I am thrilled to be considered and look forward to working on this with Gina. I am proposing the topic be surrounding Following your Passions & Engaging with your inner-Entrepreneurial Spirit and/or the importance of Lifelong Learning in Leadership.

As an equine enthusiast and lifelong equestrian, I founded Impact Horse - Connecting Humans and Horses which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Southern Maine. After achieving my Master’s in NGO/Nonprofit management at Johns Hopkins University, the organization developed as part of my capstone project and corresponding 46 page research paper which focused on the healing benefits of equine-human connections, equine welfare, mindfulness, and emphasizing that horses may have multiple roles in their lives. They may be a show horse that is docile and steps down from the show-ring by offering equine therapy to students in a therapeutic riding program etc. 

In terms of my role in higher education, I currently work as a Graduate Advisor at Unity Environmental University- Distance Education supporting graduate students from the start of their program to degree conferral, inspiring academic success and assisting students with their academic planning. I work with students of all ages and from a variety of disciplines. We are an environmental university and our focus is bringing more sustainable, environmentally savvy professionals in the workplace.  

I believe everyone can follow their passions and enjoy what they do. It took me time to find my own path which landed me in higher education and the nonprofit sector. I am grateful for the experiences I had as it shaped me to be the leader I am today.