Forest Lake, MN — July 23, 2026 — Acres for Life Therapy & Wellness Center is proud to announce Annie Ricalde as its new Chief Executive Officer, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the organization as it continues expanding its impact in equine-assisted mental health, experiential learning, and trauma-informed care.
Ricalde is an internationally recognized psychologist, executive coach, and pioneer in equine-assisted psychotherapy and corporate learning. With more than twenty years of experience, she has designed and scaled programs that integrate psychology, leadership development, and experiential methods to support trauma recovery, emotional resilience, and high-performance team growth.
A global innovator, Ricalde is the founder of TAAC (Learning Techniques Assisted by Horses) and Horses for the Corporate World (HCW), and the co-creator of Arenas for Change (ARCH) —an experiential, narrative-based model endorsed by the American Psychological Association for continuing education. She has delivered more than 150 international trainings, partnered with multinational corporations across diverse industries, and helped shape the evolution of equine-assisted work throughout Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
Ricalde’s equestrian background also informs her leadership and facilitation style. With over two decades of direct experience with horses — including training in classical dressage under Grand Prix Olympic rider Joaquín Orth — she brings a deep understanding of equine behavior, communication, and connection to her work with individuals, teams, and organizations.
“Annie’s vision, expertise, and heart align beautifully with our mission,” said the Acres for Life Board of Directors. “Her leadership will strengthen our programs, deepen our community partnerships, and expand our reach as we continue to grow.”
“It is truly a dream come true to pass the leadership reins to Annie,” said Lynn Moore, Founder of Acres.
“For more than a decade, Annie and I have worked side by side to develop innovative professional training and programming for the equine-assisted services industry. I have every confidence that her vision, expertise, and dedication will continue to strengthen Acres and its impact for years to come.”
Ricalde describes herself as a fervent believer in true change, boundary-crossing growth, and achieving the unexpected — values shaped by her own lived experiences. As a core member of the ARCH Creators Team, she brings fresh perspective and a belief in infinite possibilities for impacting life stories through experiential work with horses.
What Acres for Life has accomplished in transforming lives under the leadership of Lynn Moore and her incredible team is truly inspiring. I have never seen anything like Acres for Life in terms of its operations, quality, love, and unwavering commitment to those it serves.
It is both an honor and a privilege to join this extraordinary team and the Acres family. As we look toward the future, while remaining true to the origins and the remarkable essence of Acres, I am excited and ready to help build the next chapter alongside each and every one of you.
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