Beth Gaston, MSPT - Founder & Executive Director

Anne attended Wake Forest University and the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine and has practiced as an Occupational Therapist since 2009. Her areas of expertise include sensory integration, handwriting development, neurodevelopmental treatment, and feeding therapy. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening, holds a Level I Handwriting Without Tears certification, and has completed the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) Level I training.

Anne also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Central Piedmont Community College and is proud to be part of Strides of Strength, where she integrates her clinical experience with equine-assisted occupational therapy to support meaningful functional outcomes.

  Lexi completed her degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in 2025. She has been involved with Gaston Farm Road Equestrian Center and Strides of Strength, beginning her involvement as a volunteer. Having grown up around horses, Lexi brings a lifelong passion for equine care to her work. Through collaborating with licensed therapists, she discovered that Hippotherapy uniquely combines her commitment to helping others with her love of horses. Lexi is committed to ongoing learning to best support both the horses and patients during therapy sessions. 

Lisa Hamner is a licensed Speech‑Language Pathologist with a strong background supporting children from infancy through middle school. She holds a Master’s in Communicative Science and Disorders and maintains her ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. Lisa brings experience from private practice, home health, and school settings, where she has treated language delays, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, and feeding and swallowing needs.

Known for her collaborative, family‑centered approach, Lisa partners closely with parents, educators, and care teams to help children build confidence and communication skills. Her expertise and compassionate style make her a valuable addition to our team.

Riesa brings hands‑on equine experience and a strong background in animal care and youth support. 

Her experience includes roles in pet care, customer service, and childcare, giving her a well‑rounded skill set. Her volunteer work in youth ministry, nursing home outreach, equine therapy assistance, and disaster relief reflects her commitment to serving her community.

Riesa’s reliability, compassion, and dedication make her a valuable member of our team.

Growing up, JoBeth always had a special place in her heart for horses—and later discovered the same passion for helping others. She was involved in everything from 4H to riding lessons and working on local farms. In college, she joined the fire department and realized that serving others brought her true fulfillment. 

When Strides of Strength began, she knew she had to be part of it. Working with horses while helping people is her dream come true.

With over 25+ years of equine experience, Dayna has a knowledge for horses like no other. She has been a blessing to our farm since 2012. Dayna has been a 4H leader, camp director, and is the lead riding instructor at Gaston Farm Road Equestrian Center. 

Dayna has a great attitude and work ethic when it comes to handling our horses, and there isn't a horse on our farm that doesn't love Dayna. 

 Marie is a recently retired Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA) with over four decades of experience, having practiced since 1984 in a wide range of clinical settings. Much of her career focused on in-home therapy, where she developed a strong ability to think creatively and tailor therapeutic approaches to each individual. She now brings her expertise and passion for movement and wellness by leading our Farm Fit classes, including Balance at the Barn. Click here to learn more.

Hannah brings strong leadership, communication skills, and a passion for experiential learning. She graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with majors in Marketing and Business Analytics and a minor in Philosophy, earning honors such as Herbert Presidential Scholar and four‑time Founders Scholar. Hannah uses her experience in youth‑focused nonprofit work and animal‑centered programs to create engaging, hands‑on learning experiences for students. Click here to learn more.

Katie brings a strong background in community outreach, program support, and relationship‑building to our team. With experience coordinating schedules, organizing community activities, and partnering with local organizations, she has a proven ability to create welcoming, well‑run programs that support children and families. Katie’s leadership roles in both professional and volunteer settings—ranging from assisting new mothers in residential care to directing children’s ministry events—reflect her passion for service and her commitment to helping others thrive. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and heart for community make her a wonderful addition to our team.

Rachael is an experienced educator who has dedicated her career to supporting students who thrive in flexible learning environments. She spent many years teaching science at both the elementary and middle‑school levels before transitioning into her current role, where she helps students earn their diplomas through individualized, supportive pathways. Rachael is known for her compassion, strong community ties, and commitment to helping learners build confidence and reach their goals. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, horseback riding, boating, traveling, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Megan is a South Carolina insurance professional with more than a decade of experience in multi‑line insurance services and client support.  Megan is a graduate of Limestone College. 

Her background also includes work as a veterinary technician and experience as a riding instructor, blending her love of animals with hands‑on care and teaching. Megan is active in her church community and volunteers with 4‑H, where she enjoys mentoring youth and supporting agriculture‑based learning. She is known for her community involvement, compassion, and dedication to helping others.

Dianna is a longtime South Carolina artist and educator whose handmade pottery is showcased through her studio, Glazed Expressions. Her work blends traditional forms with contemporary glazes, and she has been recognized as a South Carolina Artist since 1998. With more than twenty years of experience teaching pottery for the City of Rock Hill, Dianna is known for her hands‑on craftsmanship, attention to detail, and passion for sharing the creative process with others. Her pieces are entirely handmade, and her teaching reflects her belief in the importance of artistic expression within the community.

Jenn brings more than sixteen years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, currently serving at York Technical College as the Executive Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Affairs. Her work centers on strengthening organizational communication, supporting strategic initiatives, and fostering collaborative environments where people can thrive. A Gallup‑Certified Strengths Coach, Jenn is passionate about empowering individuals to work in alignment with their natural talents. She is also active in community service and nonprofit leadership, contributing time and expertise to organizations across Rock Hill.

Heidi is a dedicated educator at Sullivan Middle School, where she teaches with a focus on student engagement, cross‑cultural connection, and real‑world application. Born and raised in Chicago, Heidi brings a love of learning and a wide range of interests, including horseback riding, crafts, gardening, and community volunteering. She is especially passionate about supporting students through inclusive classroom practices and collaborative programs such as the school’s culture club. Heidi is known for her student‑centered teaching philosophy, strong relational approach, and commitment to helping young people grow through meaningful academic and personal experiences.

Cherie is an experienced family law attorney and founder of Barton Family Law LLC, where she has served families throughout South Carolina since 1994. A graduate of the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Cherie has built her career on helping individuals navigate challenging legal matters involving divorce, custody, child support, and adoption. She is known for her compassionate approach, strong advocacy skills, and deep commitment to serving the York County community. With decades of experience in family courts, Cherie strives to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of the clients she represents.

Monica is a real estate professional with eXp Realty, serving the greater Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Chester County areas, including Edgemoor. As a second‑generation real estate agent with experience in both residential and equestrian properties, Monica brings specialized knowledge that supports clients seeking farms, land, and rural homes. Her background as a teacher and advocate for individuals with special needs shapes her empathetic, service‑driven approach to real estate. Monica’s clients value her patience, local insight, and dedication to guiding families through important transitions with clarity and confidence.

Kady is Winthrop University graduate, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.  She currently serves as a Loan Officer with Founders Federal Credit Union, bringing several years of experience in customer service, financial operations, and community‑focused support.