Board of Directors
Birgit Kelly (she/her)
Board President, Member of Executive & Governance Committes
Bio coming soon!
Geri Colosey (she/her)
Board Vice President, Member of Advancement Committee
Geri Colosey joined the Hold Your Horses Board of Directors in January 2026. She brings a strong background in leadership along with a longstanding connection to the equine community and also volunteers with the organization, assisting with herd care and horse leading during occupational therapy sessions. Her involvement with horses began through her daughter’s riding and ownership of a half Arabian/Saddlebred, and later grew into her own participation in saddleseat riding and showing.
Geri spent 25 years in project and resource management within software development, ultimately serving as Director of Project Management prior to her retirement in April 2025. She also volunteers with the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, supporting garden initiatives and fundraising efforts. Geri enjoys baking sourdough bread, biking, golf, and gardening, and is committed to supporting the mission of Hold Your Horses and its continued community impact.
Ruth Rovner (she/her)
Board Treasurer, Member of Finance & Executive Committees
Ruth joined the Board of Directors in September 2025. Prior to this, she was on staff with HYH from its inception in August 2006 until her retirement in June 2025. In addition to being the Finance Manager for HYH, she also contributed as horse leader, therapy aide, property manager and office manager.
A lifelong horse enthusiast, Ruth was introduced to equine-assisted therapy in 1997 when she was a volunteer horse leader and barn aide for another local non-profit. Having witnessed the life-changing benefits of equine-assisted therapy, Ruth knew she wanted to be more involved in the work.
Ruth is honored to be on the Board, sharing her experience and skills to support the continued growth of HYH.
Forest Wilde (they/them)
Board Secretary, Member of Advancement & Executive Committees
Forest joined our Board of Directors as Secretary in 2024 after volunteering with Hold Your Horses. They also serve on the Advancement and Executive Committees. Outside of HYH, they are the Manager, Digital Communications for the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), working with the CDC and White House to create engaging and informative materials that help us advocate and educate for better sexual health outcomes across the country. When not working, you can find them foraging for mushrooms, birding, or doing fiber arts alongside their two dogs and gecko. Forest is a deep believer in rest, restorative justice, and the healing power of nature.
Alan C. Eidsness (he/him)
Board Member, Member of Finance Committee
I am pleased to continue as a member of the Board of Directors of Hold Your Horses.
I grew up in North Dakota and, after moving to Minnesota, graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School with a J.D. summa cum laude. I am admitted to practice law in all Courts of the State of Minnesota, the United States Supreme Court and the federal courts for Minnesota and the 8th Circuit. I have been fortunate to have worked for the same law firm, Henson & Efron, PA, for my entire legal career, now over 50 years. I began as the sixth person in a six person firm, and after my retirement on March 1, 2025, I now am Of Counsel to the firm of 36 attorneys. In my career, I have been honored by being selected as one of Minnesota’s top 10 Super Lawyers in 2005, 2009-2017 and 2019-2025. I have also been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America from 1995-2025. In 2019 I was honored by being selected as a Minnesota Icon in the practice of law, and am still the first and only family law attorney inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, a group comprising less than 1% of the attorneys in Minnesota, who are the very best at the trial bar.
I have worked with other 501(c)(3) organizations including the Jade Foundation, University of Minnesota Law School, Edina Morningside Community Church, Hidden Lakes Community Association and Birch Island Lake Association. I am married and have two adult sons, and four beautiful grandchildren.
Molly Kelly (she/her)
Board Member, Member of Advancement Committee
Molly Kelly joined the Board of Directors in January 2025 after returning to her home state of Minnesota, following a few years in Alabama. She brings over a decade of experience in non-profit work, specializing in environmental and outdoor education. During this time, she also trained and cared for a variety of captive wildlife, including reptiles, amphibians, raptors, and even a skunk.
Passionate about the connection between nature and mental health, Molly brings valuable expertise in animal care and environmental education to the board. She is the proud owner of a rescue Thoroughbred cross named David, who will join her in Minnesota this spring. In her free time, Molly enjoys baking, wrangling her three rescue dogs, and dreaming up the next addition to her animal family.
Ann Seeman (she/her)
Board Member, Member of Finance Committee
Ann Seemann (she/her) joined our Board of Directors in July 2025 and is a member of our finance committee. She got involved with Hold Your Horses in June 2024, helping with afternoon chores, and has enjoyed getting to know the organization and becoming more involved. Ann has worked in accounting since 2011 and been an employee of All In One Accounting since 2017, first as an Accountant and now as a Controller, providing financial support for both for profit and non-profit clients. While not working or supporting Hold Your Horses, Ann loves spending time with her two cats, reading, going for walks, and traveling with her family.
Julie Holmen (she/her)
Board Member, Member of Finance Committee
Julie Holmen joined our Board of Directors in 2026 and is a member of our Finance and Client Billing Committees. Recently retired from a 35 year career in provider / payor contract relationships, Julie’s professional journey included leadership roles with Advocate Healthcare in Chicago and HealthPartners, prior to taking national roles in network development and regulatory compliance with UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Cigna. Having grown up living on a camp where horses were part of the outdoors experience, Julie learned early on the special connection horses can make with people, especially children and teenagers. Julie has also been an active foster of border collies, shepherds and other herding breed dogs and has been involved in pet therapy volunteer work. Julie is thrilled to have the opportunity to utilize her prior professional and personal experiences in the support of the important mission of Hold Your Horses.
Diane Benjamin (she/her)
Board Member
Bio and photo coming soon!
Lauren Marlotte (she/her)
Board Member
Lauren joined the Board of Directors in March 2026. She is a licensed, board-certified clinical psychologist in Minnesota and California and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She brings expertise in leadership, consultation, education, evaluation, and trauma-informed care, along with a passion for innovative mental health approaches, nature-based healing, and expanding access for underserved communities.
In addition to her board service, Lauren is the Director of Learning and Development at the UCLA Division of Population Behavioral Health and serves as a behavioral health evaluator for veterans. She is also an examiner for the American Board of Professional Psychology and a consultant to Canine Inspired Change, a nonprofit that harnesses the healing power of dogs to foster connection and growth in youth and adults.
Outside of her professional work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family—including a dog and two cats—as well as gardening, playing tennis, and knitting.
Brigid Goss (she/her)
Board Emeritus, Non-voting Member
Brigid Goss joined our Board of Directors in 2021 and is a member of our Governance and Executive Committees. She is a Vice President at U.S. Bank in Risk Management & Compliance, where she works in Regulatory Services, overseeing regulatory exam activity for the Bank. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, she practiced as a litigation attorney with a mid-sized Minneapolis firm and was recognized as a Super Lawyer and Rising Star by Super Lawyers. In addition to serving on the HYH Board, Brigid volunteers with the Children’s Law Center, providing pro bono representation to children in foster care. She also loves spending time at the barn with her off-track thoroughbred, Bailey.