Human Partners
The Achieve Collective staff represents a range of professional disciplines, with extensive experience supporting people with disabilities and their families. All members of the leadership team have been riding horses since childhood and have taught riding to people with and without disabilities professionally. They have experience working with several non-profit adaptive (therapeutic) riding and adaptive recreation organizations and have taken leadership roles in national organizations related to adaptive (therapeutic) riding. All members of the team will be teaching riding lessons in addition to their leadership roles defined below.
Leadership
Katrina Manegio, M.A.
Director of Riding Instruction
Katrina has a Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation Management and Disability Services from Springfield College. She currently serves as the clinical director of autism services for a local human services organization. Katrina has been teaching riding to people with and without disabilities for many years. She is a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor.
Ashley Woodman lawrie, Ph.D.
Director of Family & Community Engagement
Ashley has a Doctoral degree in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College. She currently serves as the director of an undergraduate specialization in developmental disabilities at UMass Amherst. She has experience conducting research and teaching about people with disabilities and their families. She is in training as a MA certified instructor.
Staff
Camila Colon-Figueroa
Camila is an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts studying Animal Sciences with a focus of Pre-Veterinary studies. She used to ride and help with the barn work when she was younger at her friend’s barns but recently started working with horses again when she joined the TAC team.
Her favorite memory of working with TAC is seeing the riders’ confidence levels grow and their personalities shine as they continue to get to know our horses. She hopes to continue working with equines after she graduates from UMass in May.
SARAH Verga
Sarah is an undergraduate at UMass Amherst studying neuroscience and working as an EMT. She has been riding for the past 17 years and competes on the UMass equestrian team. Sarah has two years of teaching experience and is happy to be teaching lessons at The Achieve Collective!
Frank Manegio
“Farmer Frank” plays a critical role in keeping the Granby barn running. You might see him feedings the horses or mucking the fields. He also assists with riding lessons and unmounted activities.