Our Leadership: The Board of Directors
At Celestial Equine Connections, our mission is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors—a group of community leaders, professionals, and advocates who share a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of the horse.
While our staff manages the daily heartbeat of the barn, our Board provides the strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and long-term vision necessary to ensure our programs remain sustainable and impactful for years to come.
Governance with Purpose
Our board members bring a diverse wealth of expertise from the sectors of business, education, healthcare, and finance. They serve as the vital link between our non-profit and the community we serve, ensuring that every initiative—from therapeutic riding for neurodiverse students to our senior outreach programs—is executed with excellence and integrity.
As we work through our 501(c)(3) status and expand our reach across Metro Atlanta, these volunteers provide the steady hand and heart needed to turn our lifelong dream into a lasting community legacy. They are not just overseers of a program; they are champions for wellness, advocates for at-risk youth, and partners in our journey of healing and hope.
Ashley Miller
Ashley serves as the Board Chair for Celestial Equine Connections, bringing a rich background of leadership across athletics, education, and community organizations. With extensive experience overseeing athletic programs—including directing cheerleading operations and co-running youth softball organizations—they have a proven track record in strategic planning, logistics, and team management. Their commitment to community growth is further evidenced by their active leadership in the PTA and service on regional sports boards, where they help shape policy and expand opportunities for youth.
As the Chairperson and chief leader of our board, Ashley serves as the public face of the organization. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, they set the strategic vision and ensure the board remains focused on achieving its mission. Ashley presides over all board meetings and acts as our primary spokesperson at public events and with major donors and community partners.
ChairTonya Brummett is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 23 years of experience in public accounting, specializing in financial management for not-for-profit organizations. She holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees in accounting from Appalachian State University. Throughout her career, Tonya has developed a mastery of financial statements, auditing, budgeting, and internal auditing, coupled with a deep understanding of complex fiduciary responsibilities and compliance.
As the Treasurer of Celestial Equine Connections, Tonya serves as our financial guardian and a core member of the board's leadership. She is responsible for overseeing the financial health of the organization, ensuring that all funds are managed with the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and legal compliance.
Tonya’s commitment to service extends into the community, where she served as a Girl Scout volunteer and troop leader for 13 years. It was during this time that she introduced her troop to horseback riding, sparking a lifelong passion in her daughter. A member of the Celestial family since 2020, Tonya combines her professional financial acumen with her personal experience as an equestrian parent to help secure the long-term sustainability of our mission.
TreasurerTonya Brummett
Kristy Seidenberg brings a unique and multifaceted background to the board, with over two decades of experience as a practicing attorney in Georgia. A graduate of the Emory University School of Law, Kristy also holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Her extensive professional portfolio includes complex litigation, conflict resolution, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. As a Certified Mediator and Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist, she is uniquely skilled at navigating the program and process development essential for a growing non-profit.
In her role as Legal Aid, Kristy draws upon her history as an educator and counselor to champion the non-profit’s outreach and community education initiatives. She has served her community in numerous capacities, including as a Guardian Ad Litem and a frequent speaker at seminars and community forums, always with a focus on service to others.
A lifelong horsewoman, Kristy’s connection to the equestrian world is foundational. Born into a farm family, she participated in her first horse show in 1972 on her pony, “Sugar,” and spent years helping her parents manage a boarding and training facility. For decades, Kristy and her family have remained deeply immersed in showing, judging, and managing horses. Today, she balances her professional practice with her love for farm life, her family, and her commitment to the community.
Kristyne L. Seidenberg
Legal Counsel
Andrea is a medical student at the Medical College of Georgia, currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health at Augusta University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering from Northeastern University. With a deep passion for community service, Andrea has extensive experience managing a free health clinic in the Augusta area, where she served hundreds of patients and continues to act as a strategic advisor. Her professional skill set includes project management, grant writing, and critical thinking—all driven by a desire to connect individuals with resources that improve their quality of life.
Andrea’s connection to the equestrian world is both personal and professional. She grew up in the saddle, competed in the IEA throughout high school, and is a former staff member of Celestial Riding Academy. She understands firsthand the therapeutic value animals bring to people facing challenges. In her free time, she enjoys walking with her dog, Yogi.
As the Secretary of Celestial Equine Connections, Andrea serves as the official record-keeper and a core member of the leadership team. This position ensures the accuracy and integrity of all board documents, providing a vital history of the organization's decisions and actions. Andrea is responsible for recording the minutes of all board and committee meetings, overseeing the safekeeping of the non-profit's legal documents—including the articles of incorporation and bylaws—and managing official correspondence on behalf of the board.
Andrea Smith
SecretaryAnna-Kay Belisle
Board Member
Anna-Kay Belisle’s life with horses began long before titles or roles, out in the pasture with her Nana’s horses, where she learned that trust is earned quietly and partnership is built over time. From those early days in the saddle, her love for horses grew into a calling rooted not simply in riding, but in relationship.
Over the years, she trained across multiple disciplines, developing strong foundations in both English riding and dressage while gaining experience working with young and green horses. Early competition shaped her technical skill, but it was the deeper work, earning the confidence of sensitive, uncertain horses, that shaped her philosophy.
That philosophy came fully alive during her time working with a horse rescue. There, horses arrived from neglect, abandonment, and difficult circumstances, many fearful, defensive, and unsure of human touch. Anna-Kay met each one with patience and consistency, believing that restoration begins with safety. She became known for her steady presence and quiet persistence, helping even the most distrustful horses rediscover confidence and connection. This season profoundly shaped her understanding of the healing power that exists between horse and human.
A graduate of Kennesaw State University with a focus in Leadership Studies, Anna-Kay brings both structure and heart to her work. Her background in operations, marketing, and team leadership strengthens her ability to turn vision into sustainable programs, while her lifelong horsemanship keeps the mission grounded in authenticity.