Hannah Stutts | President
As the President of Samson Project, Hannah leads the organization with a vision to provide life-changing trauma recovery through the power of horses. With 10 years of experience running a successful equine business, Hannah has developed a great understanding of leadership and how horses can help people overcome a number of things in their life. She has done years of research to have a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and its intersection with animal-assisted therapy.
In addition to their leadership role, Hannah has a background in trauma coaching and also runs a disaster relief nonprofit. They are deeply committed to ensuring that the organization’s programs are grounded in research-based best practices while also being sensitive to the unique needs of each client.
When not overseeing operations, Hannah enjoys coaching clients, showing horses, and assisting with search and rescue at various disasters around the country. Their commitment to improving lives and building a supportive environment for both clients and staff drives the success of the organization.
Caitlyn Eickleberry | Lead Trauma Coach
Caitlyn brings a deep passion for healing and personal growth to The Samson Project. With 5 years of experience in trauma-informed care, they specialize in equine-assisted learning to support individuals on their journey toward recovery. Holding a degree in Animal Science, Caitlyn combines a thorough understanding of psychology, trauma, and animal behavior with their hands-on expertise working with horses.
Before joining Samson Project, Caitlyn worked training children and adults how to ride and led them on to competitive careers. When teaching lessons, Caitlyn realized her unique passion and talent for working with people that had endured trauma, suffered from anxiety, or other mental illnesses. They are committed to creating a safe, compassionate environment where clients can experience profound transformations through their connection with horses.
Outside of their work at Samson Project, Caitlyn is passionate about riding and training horses, assisting with fundraising projects, and enjoying mindful afternoons in the pasture. They are dedicated to continuing their education in trauma care and animal-assisted learning to further improve the lives of those they serve.
Cheryl Garner | Equine Manager, Assistant Trauma Coach, Treasurer
Cheryl is a skilled manager at Samson Project, with 3 years of experience working with horses in therapeutic settings. Their role includes providing expert care and training to our herd of horses, ensuring they are well-prepared to support our clients’ emotional and physical healing. Cheryl also assists with coaching for specific clients, and handles billing and budgets for the organization.
Cheryl has a background in insurance billing, equine sports medicine, physical therapy, horseback riding instruction and barn management. She’s worked with many difficult cases as an instructor, helping students overcome fear and anxiety, as well as practice emotional regulation and develop communication skills. Cheryl has received specialized training in equine-assisted trauma coaching. They believe in the healing power of horses and their unique ability to create a safe, trusting relationship with clients who have experienced trauma.
Outside of their work at Samson Project, Cheryl enjoys riding horses, working on the farm, coaching other students, and hanging out with the barn family. They are dedicated to building strong relationships with both the horses and the clients to ensure positive outcomes for all involved.
Tom Diamond | Marketing Director, Secretary
Tom is a seasoned marketing and design professional with over 35 years of experience helping businesses craft compelling brand identities. As the President and Owner of Vink Signs & Designs, he embraced the challenge of a new industry, viewing signage as another creative medium to master, mold, and integrate into his extensive skill set. His expertise spans graphic design, web development, multimedia programming, and corporate branding. Previously, as the founder of 1st Floor Interactive, Tom played a key role in developing interactive marketing strategies and branding solutions for major corporations, including GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, and Nortel.
Beyond his professional work, Tom is committed to mentorship and leadership, fostering creativity and innovation within his teams. His extensive background in design spans multiple disciplines, including video production, 3D animation, and interactive media, allowing him to create high-impact marketing and training materials for businesses of all sizes.
A proud veteran, Tom served in the United States Marine Corps from 1980 to 1983 as an Infantryman (MOS 0311, 0351). He was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran. His military service instilled in him a deep sense of discipline, resilience, and dedication—qualities that continue to shape his professional and philanthropic endeavors.