Founder & Board of Directors
In her early adult years, Charlotte became stuck in a dark season marked by trauma, drug addiction, and bad choices. Upon rehabilitation, Charlotte found solace and purpose by reconnecting with horses. Determined to rise above her past, she chose to become a survivor rather than a victim.
She recognized the profound impact of equine therapy and founded SpiritHorse with a single horse. She offered a free lesson, marking the beginning of her mission to exemplify the life-altering transformations achievable through the healing connection between humans and horses.
Charlotte’s commitment to her newfound purpose led her to attain certifications as a Certified Equine Health Care Instructor through SpiritHorse International, a PATH Instructor through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, and EAGALA certification. These rigorous certifications equipped her with the expertise, knowledge, and credentials to deliver effective, safe, and beneficial riding experiences for individuals of all abilities and interests.
With three decades of teaching experience, Charlotte has shared her passion for horses, riding, and teaching with people of all ages and skill levels. Her dedication has inspired her to positively impact the lives of others through the SpiritHorse program, embodying the transformative potential that horses can offer.
Margaret Hager is honored to be on the Board of Spirithorse of the Bay Area, and also is passionate about her role as a horse care volunteer with the organization for the past year. Margaret has worked with horses in a volunteer capacity for nonprofits since her retirement from a successful 36 year banking career in 2019. She has lived and worked in Napa Valley for the majority of her life, having moved here at the age of 7 and growing up on her family’s 300-acre vineyard, walnut orchard and open space property in Chiles Valley. It was there that her lifetime love of horses began.
Margaret’s banking career was based in the Napa Valley, working exclusively for local/regional community banks as a Vice President/Relationship Manager and Commercial Loan Officer specializing in Wine Industry lending. In this capacity, she managed multi-million dollar loan portfolios and established close, long-term working relationships with numerous winery, vineyard and business owners. Margaret has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Napa and served on their Board for five years in the role of Treasurer. A California Polytechnic State University/San Luis Obispo graduate, she earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration/Marketing. Upon her retirement, Margaret was eager to reconnect with horses while also giving back to the Napa Valley community through meaningful volunteer work. She loves her time spent caring for the many horses at Spirithorse and finds it truly rewarding. She also enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren as well as her activities of hiking, cycling and traveling.
Shiva is a firm believer in the transformative power of equine connection and healing. A Bay Area native, Shiva grew up in Concord. Her childhood included visits to her grandfather’s ranch in Folsom, where he raised ponies, but she was never really interested in the animals. It wasn’t until years later that horses would reenter her life.
As Shiva entered adulthood, she moved to Los Angeles and spent a few years there before returning to the Bay Area. Around that time, she began teaching yoga, Pilates, meditation, and breathing exercises at Evolve Treatment Centers, specializing in teen rehabilitation. Seeing the gradual changes in the teens under her guidance sparked a deep passion for helping others. One day, some of her students invited her to their horse therapy session, where she witnessed their remarkable transformations.
After watching her teenage students light up during their sessions with the horses, Shiva knew she needed to be involved. Not only were the students growing, but the horses also gave them hope and inspired them to explore equine-related careers.
Driven to help, Shiva began learning more about horses and their needs. Shocked at the costs associated with horse care, she recognized the need for fundraising to ensure the horses received the best care possible, given how much they helped others. Today, she is dedicated to supporting SpiritHorse’s animals and programs by raising funds while continuing to bond with the horses.
Kathryn DeVries is the CEO of family-owned equipment rental company, All Star Rents, which is based in Fairfield, CA. Founded in 1962 by her late grandfather, Ted DeVries, All Star Rents’ thirteen rental store locations provide sales and rentals of quality equipment and tools throughout Northern California and Nevada. A third generation rental owner of the company, Kathryn first served as CFO for ten years prior to being named CEO in 2018. In addition, after having served many years on the board of directors, a position previously held by both her father and grandfather, Kathryn was recently named President of the California Rental Association.
DeVries first developed her passion and love for horses as a youth when she volunteered at a local therapeutic riding center. Having grown up in a non-horse family, Kathryn deeply understands the importance of supporting programs such as SpiritHorse, which promotes the power of healing through the unique relationship formed between horse and rider. By the leasing of several of her retired show horses to their program, DeVries is proud to partner with SpiritHorse to provide riders of all ages the opportunity to work with horses that they might not have had otherwise.
An avid horse breeder, owner, and exhibitor, DeVries is the owner and operator of Oak Spring Ranch in Vacaville, CA, where she lives with her two daughters, Kylie and Hayley, and runs a successful breeding operation of American Quarter Horses.