Kristen de Marco Board Member | Executive Director | Equine Specialist
Kristen de Marco is the founder and executive director of Gateway HorseWorks, an innovative organization dedicated to harnessing the therapeutic power of horses to support peoples’ mental health and personal development. With a deep passion for equine-assisted psychotherapy and an extensive background in communication arts and psychology from Villanova University, Kristen has established herself as a prominent leader in the field. She is a certified Equine Specialist in the EAGALA Model®, having completed comprehensive training and attended numerous annual conferences from 2011 to 2020.
Under Kristen's leadership since 2015, Gateway HorseWorks has developed several innovative programs, including Stable Pathways (people in pre-release from prison), Beyond the Barn (youth impacted by the justice system and youth in care), Stable Connections (families experiencing grief & bereavement), Unbridled Hope (survivors of human trafficking), Breaking Free (people in recovery), Galloping Home (Veterans with PTSd), Horses for Heroes (wellness programs for clinical and nonclinical staff), and Leading the Way (youth receiving emotional support in school). Kristen oversees all aspects of the organization, from business development and strategic planning to outreach, relationship development, fundraising, and community awareness. She has also managed the creation and execution of all marketing initiatives, including the website, social media content, and PR press kits, and has been the main contact for media relations. In addition, she has partnered with universities to conduct research evaluating the outcomes of Gateway HorseWorks’ programs.
Kristen's work has gained significant recognition in the mental health community and the media. She has published influential papers and delivered numerous presentations at national conferences, highlighting the efficacy of incorporating horses for the mental health treatment of people. Her innovative approach has been featured in major publications such as The Atlantic, NPR , Fortune, Medium.com, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, 6ABC, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Kristen has also been highlighted in the documentary film "Healing in the Open," showcased at film festivals across the nation. Actively involved in community service, she has partnered with numerous foundations, government organizations, and academic institutions to deliver equine-assisted psychotherapy programs, transforming countless lives and establishing herself as a thought leader and pioneer in the field. In addition to her work with Gateway HorseWorks, Kristen is the president and equine specialist of WorkHorse, a company focused on team building and professional development. Through WorkHorse experiences, Kristen partners with organizations to create custom-tailored professional development experiences incorporating horses to foster positive change in the workplace. She develops and delivers professional development curriculums for corporate teams, executing programs both on the farm and globally. Her expertise in marketing, relationship development, and corporate partnerships has positioned WorkHorse as a leader in equine-assisted professional development, linking corporate social responsibility programs to the transformative power of equine-assisted learning. www.workhorseteambuilding.com
