OUR TEAM
Maya Simek
Executive Director, Esquire, MSSA, LISW-S
Maya brings a unique combination of strong business skills, clinical knowledge, fund-
raising experience, and entrepreneurial success to the role of Executive Director. She
has deep experience in the non-profit sector and is a dual licensed social worker and
attorney. She earned her J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law, her
M.S.S.A. from Case Western Reserve’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, and
her B.S. from John Carroll University. She is also a graduate and current faculty
member at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.
Her previous experience includes serving as director of the Human Trafficking Law
Clinic at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law. Before that, she founded
two pioneering legal clinics: a statewide clinic for LGBTQ+ Ohioans at Equality Ohio,
and one for people living with HIV/AIDS at Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center in
Cleveland.
Sarah Swiger
Clinical Director, LPCC-S, APRN-PMHNP Post Master's Certificate in Equine Assisted Mental Health
Sarah has over 20 years of experience in mental health care, working with a variety of populations as a case manager, therapist, educator, emergency department nurse and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She holds a Master’s degree in nursing, a Master’s degree in counseling and human development and a Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science.
Sarah is a passionate about incorporating horses and nature into mental health services. She is Level II trained in Natural Lifemanship and is a member of the HERD Institute. Her primary areas of interest include grief and loss, adoption/attachment trauma, and serving the LGBTQIA population.
Tia Kocianic
LSW, PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Tia first experienced the joy of sharing her life with horses when she was 9 years old. Her close relationships with her equine friends inspired her desire to share with others the magic of spending time with horses and riding. As an adult, volunteering for the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (CANTER), fostered a deeper understanding of the powerful connection that forms between horses and humans. This work inspired a return to her alma mater to pursue a degree in therapeutic horsemanship with a goal of eventually providing equine-assisted services to her community.
Tia is passionate about supporting the journey of clients of all ages as they explore the healing that can be found in the presence of horses.
She holds a BA in Psychology and a BS in Therapeutic Horsemanship from Lake Erie College and a Masters of Applied Social Sciences from Case Western Reserve University.
Haven Thompson
Barn Manager and Riding for Growth Lead Instructor
Haven is a 2023 graduate of Lake Erie College’s Equine Program with a degree in
Equine Facility Management and Therapeutic Riding. She is continuing her education in
Lake Erie College’s MBA program as well as pursuing her PATH Intl. Therapeutic
Riding Instructor certification. She is excited to share her talents with the In Step
community.
Molly Easly
Equine Specialist
Molly has worked with horses in a therapeutic setting since 2014. She also has experience working with a diverse population of children, adolescents and adults with physical and emotional challenges. She also served as the assistant director for a therapeutic riding camp for children. Molly is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology at Case Western Reserve University.
Emmet Evans
Therapist & Equine Specialist LSW, Certified Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) Practitioner, The HERD Institute
Emmet (they/them) is a veterinary social work student with a passion for animals, nature, mental health, and trauma-informed care. They are completing their MSW at Cleveland State University and will be graduating in May of 2025 with the intention of becoming an LGBTQIA+ affirming and neurodivergent-affirming therapist. Emmet currently facilitates equine-assisted learning sessions and runs our LGBTQIA+ youth group, The Rainbow Herd. Emmet also helps conduct research on the human-animal bond at CSU.
With a background in sustainable farming and community organizing, as well as a passion for supporting those grappling with grief, loss, and disabilities/chronic illnesses, Emmet brings an ecological and social justice approach to their work with clients. A life-long lover of horses, Emmet is passionate about partnering with our equine friends to provide empowering, strengths-based mental health services to children and adults.
When not at the farm, Emmet can be found hiking with their dog, nerding out about plants with their partner, reading xenofiction, and curled up knitting with a cat on their lap.
Marian L. Heyink
LISW-S, JD, EAGALA dual certified, PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor & Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning
Former Chairwoman for the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), Marian has more than 25 years of experience treating individuals who have experienced trauma and mental illness. She is dual-certified as a mental Health Professional and Equine Specialist with EAGLA and is a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor with PATH Intl. She currently works part-time for University Hospitals in trauma Intervention.
Mitchel Tropf
Animal Care & Maintenance Specialist
Mitch has been riding horses since age 4. He eventually got his own horse when he was a teenager and continued taking lessons, volunteering and participating in a vocational program at a local therapeutic riding center. He still works there part time, and has helped other programs in the area with maintenance, equine care and assisting their riding students. There is no place Mitch would rather be than in a barn!
