Meet Our Board

CTREE is led by a Board of Directors dedicated to our mission. Our talented Board of Directors are professionals with accomplishments in business, government, professional services, and philanthropy.

Amalie Bandelier, President

Amalie has been a board member of CTREE since 2018 and has served as the Board Secretary for two years and is honored to be serving as the Board President. Amalie has been an equestrian her whole life, having grown up riding and competing and truly believes in the power of horses helping to change lives. She lives in Sag Harbor with her husband, two young daughters, her horse and their golden retriever.

Chris Ritchey, Vice-President

Chris has been a volunteer with CTREE for 6 years and a board member for 5 years. As one of the founding real estate agents of Compass, he is a member of the Hudson Advisory Team, the #1 Team in New York and #13 in the nation. Chris is a member of the Compass Equestrian Division. Compass EQ features hand selected agents, that have been vetted on not only their sales & marketing experience, but on their equestrian experience & knowledge. Originally from Maryland, Chris grew up on his family's horse farm, home to Preakness and Belmont winner Afleet Alex. Chris rides with Robin Stables at Mecox Bay Farm in Bridgehampton.

Nancy Grady, Secretary

Nancy has been a resident of the East End for over 25 years and brings a strong background in effective marketing strategies honed from her career as an award-winning advertising/creative director. She is currently a realtor at Compass.

Brian Parente, Treasurer

Rebecca Gaynor, Past President

Rebecca is an interior design professional living in her longtime hometown of Southampton, New York with her husband, Christopher and their dogs.  Rebecca works for the architecture and interior design firm Brady Design.  She is the past president of CTREE and has been a devoted volunteer for the Hampton Classic Horse Show for thirty years.

Isabel Adolf

Isabel Adolf was introduced to CTREE at thirteen years-old, when she was riding at Wölffer Estate Stables. She quickly jumped at the opportunity to volunteer once she heard of CTREE's mission.  Isabel is currently a senior at the George Washington University, completing her bachelor's degree in both Art History and Psychology. She has taken on a managerial role at her barn in Wellington, where she began Atlas Equine LLC, a company dedicated to the development of horses. Isabel splits her time between Wellington, and her home base, Sagaponack, where she hopes to continue her passion for horses and beneficence.

Kristen Baran

Kristen is a Canadian citizen. She has ridden 47 years in both Canada and the US and she currently competes at an amateur level in the over 50 adults hunters. She donated one of her best horses to CARD, Canadian Association for riding for the Disabled.

Barbara Borg

Barbara grew up in Amagansett and has been an avid equestrian her whole life and currently has two horses as part of her family. Barbara is currently involved in local family businesses and is a volunteer or on the board of numerous local charities including her church,  St Jude Hope in the Hamptons,  A.V.I.S., CTREE & GEHEF.

Katy Carey

Katy Carey is the parent of two former CTREE riders and has been involved with the organization since its early inception. One of her children was able to ride competitively for several seasons thanks to CTREE’s incredible support. She has seen first- hand the wonderful benefits of therapeutic riding for her children on the autism spectrum. Katy is a former finance professional and served as CTREE’s past treasurer and currently serves on its finance committee. She has also served on several other not-for-profit boards. She earned a BA from Colgate University and an MS from Columbia University

Richard Malone

David Michaels

David Michaels is the Founder and Managing member of Physicians Financial, LLC, insurance and financial services for Medical and Dental professionals. He currently resides in Sands Point , New York and Southampton, New York with his wife, Valerie and two sons Aaron and Jacob.

Dana Trotter

Growing up around the exciting world of East End Real Estate and learning the trade from her family, Dana worked her way up to become one of the top 50 brokers in the nation with Sotheby’s. She has competed in the Hampton Classic since she was eight years old. Dana lives in Sagaponack with her husband, three children, a coop full of chickens, two rescue dogs, a kitten and thousands of honey bees!

Diana Shiel

Diana Shiel was a Director of CTREE’s founding board in 2009. Since then, she has worn many helmets, including Board Secretary, Co-chair of the governance committee, Co-chair of CTREE at Sebonack’s annual fundraiser, and lesson volunteer. Diana had a 35 year career in international public relations, marketing communications and special events. Her last role was founder and chief executive of a communication consulting company specializing in luxury products. Prior to that, Diana was founder, Director and media spokesperson for the Silver Information Center and North American Director of the Gold Information Center. Born and raised in northern NJ, Diana and her husband Dennis built a home and relocated to Southampton seven years ago. They have two children and two grandchildren. Diana holds a B.S. from Marymount College, along with certificates from New York University and Fashion Institute of Technology. She is an enthusiastic dressage rider at Robin Stables at Mecox Bay Farm in Bridgehampton, voracious reader, gardener, and lifelong traveler to more than 50 countries.

Jesse Stiles

Jesse grew up horseback riding in CT and volunteered in high school at a therapeutic riding program. After attending Boston University, she moved to the East End in 2009 to work for Ralph Lauren and has worked for them for 15 years. Jesse started volunteering at CTREE in 2013 and fell in love with the riders and the horses. After a brief stint in Malibu, she is happy to be back on the East End and part of CTREE once again!