Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Erin McNamee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Boca Raton, FL.  She has extensive experience in equine-assisted therapy and equine-assisted learning.  She received her certification from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) in 2012.  Since that time, she has initiated and facilitated equine therapy for a local treatment center where she served as Chief Clinical Officer until 2018.  Erin has facilitated training at the national and regional levels for EAGALA and the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH).  She completed her doctorate in social work at Florida Atlantic University in 2020 while concurrently operating her own private practice specializing in trauma, addiction, and depression. Erin is the co-founder of Family Recovery Collective, an online community that provides education and support when a loved one is addicted. She has been a proud member of the HERD Board of Directors since 2019.

TREASURER

Margaret has an extensive background in government and private sector business. Her experience includes IT systems management for a government consulate, corporate retail, and business marketing for Fortune 100 companies. She is the owner of an administrative and bookkeeping company, serving several small businesses. Margaret was an animal rescue volunteer for many years, and her love of animals was the impetus that introduced her to Herd Foundation and equine assisted services.

Margaret has a degree in Arts and has completed her training in the trauma informed equine assisted services Natural Lifemanship Core program.

SECRETARY

Marla Mygatt, RN, MSN, Ph.D. was introduced to HERD Foundation in 2019 while pursuing her Ph.D. at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. She was drawn to the therapeutic effects of equine-assisted services, as her doctoral program focused on the impact of animal-assisted interventions and the human-animal bond on adolescent biopsychosocial and emotional well-being. Her dissertation research investigated the experiences of adolescents who participated in equine-assisted programs. Beyond her academic journey, Marla is a certified Health Coach and has completed training in the fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship, an equine-assisted trauma-focused care approach. In addition, she enjoys spending time with her family and living a healthy, active life in her free time.

BOARD MEMBER

David Fritzshall has been involved in banking for the past 30 years. He currently works in the commercial equipment finance industry and is currently employed by Hitachi Capital America. He has experience working with both small and large companies. His past employment includes Fortune 1000 companies such as AT&T Capital, Wells Fargo, and GE Capital. David completed his undergraduate work at Southern Illinois University with graduate work at Webster University. For two years, he served on the Board of the Youth Basketball League, which included close to 1,000 participants. He later served for two years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for a travel basketball team. David also coached basketball at the local High School.

BOARD MEMBER

Harper Marsolek is a dedicated healthcare professional serving at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System since 2017. With a strong background in veterans' affairs, Harper has made significant contributions to improving the lives of our military veterans. Harper served as liaison between the VA and the Veterans program at the HERD Foundation previously as a Recreation Therapist from 2018-2022. Since leaving that role, Harper completed her Masters in Business Administrstion (MBA) in Healthcare Administration at South University and now serves as the Operations and Administrative Manager in the Radiology Department at the VA. This experience in the VA healthcare system, combined with her involvement in non-profit veteran support programs, demonstrates a deep commitment to serving those who have served their country.

BOARD MEMBER

Amanda Eilola is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Certified Experiential Therapist II, and a Qualified Supervisor of clinical social work interns in the State of Florida. She has 20 years of experience as a therapist working with individuals, families, and couples to help them heal from trauma, relationship issues, addictions, and mental health issues. Amanda has a direct, yet compassionate rapport with her clients and is dedicated to a person-centered approach.

Throughout her career, Amanda has worked with diverse populations both in the private and non-profit sectors. Currently, Amanda has a private practice in Boca Raton Florida and contracts with Parallels Consulting to provide in-person and virtual therapy, intensives, and coaching for individuals, couples, and families. Additionally, Amanda is a contract therapist for Onsite Workshops where she facilitates therapeutic intensives and workshops.

Amanda is proud to sit on the Board of Directors for the HERD Foundation and have the opportunity to be of service to an organization dedicated to healing and uplifting lives of local Veterans.