2024-2025 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are leaders in the community - serving in public service, business, and education - dedicated to advancing the mission, vision, and legacy of Deborah Dows.
Jacob Leach, President
Jacob grew up at Southlands, a place he has always called home. He has been a part of the Southlands family for 25 years. As a child, he rode in pony camps, and then graduated to be one of the counselors, and he competed in horse shows at the Dutchess County Fair and beyond. Today, you will find him riding his mare, Salem around the farm. He continues to volunteer in many ways, always assisting our barn staff with maintaining our grounds, and also offering his technological services and expertise to the office staff. His support of the Southlands school of horsemanship; his deep connection to our history; and his work with our buildings and grounds reflect his deep dedication to Southlands. Most notably, he created the Nicole Marie Wiley Scholarship Fund to honor his late wife who he met at Southlands. This fund continues to support working students in their horsemanship education at Southlands and their ability to participate in shows and clinics in the local community. His involvement through the years is testament of his love for Southlands.
Amanda N. Miller, Vice President
Local attorney whose practice focuses on real estate transactions. Prior to opening her own firm, Amanda was a partner in a New York City law firm that focused on commodity futures and antitrust class action litigation. Her children have attended the Southlands Nature Camp. Amanda is interested in Southlands' rich history and its relationship with the local community.
Florien Bouwmeester, MBA, Treasurer
Provides financial and strategic advisory services to not-for-profit hospitals and health systems across the US. Florien and her family love Southlands for the wonder of its horses, the beauty of the land, the amazing legacy of Deborah Dows and the incredible guidance and support of the training staff.
Suzanne Battenfeld, Secretary
Suzanne has dedicated several years of service working at IBM in Marketing. In addition, her family owns and operates the Battenfeld Christmas Tree Farm in Red Hook, NY. Suzanne grew up riding at Southlands, where her family rode as young children as well. Today, she continues to ride and enjoy her horse Witano, and has been a dedicated supporter of The Southlands Foundation and its mission.
Elise Quasebarth, Buildings & Grounds Committee and Governance Committee
Founding partner of Higgins Quasebarth & Partners LLC, an historic preservation consulting firm in New York whose practice includes the rehabilitation of historic properties and the construction of new buildings in historic districts. At Southlands, the people and the horses inspire her life, and she delights in late December sunsets over Big Field.
Tatiana Serafin, M.F.A., Governance Committee & Marketing Committee
Journalism Professor at Marymount Manhattan College, Editor and Writer. Lover of nature and animals, especially Southlands horses. Advocate of open spaces and environmental justice. @tatianaserafin on Twitter, Instagram.
Hendrik Uyttendaele, MD, Buildings & Grounds Committee & Finance Committee
Founding partner and physician at Hudson Dermatology, PC a private medical practice with multiple locations in the Hudson Valley, NY. Enthusiastic about all things nature such as gardening and horsemanship, as well as the history of the Hudson Valley.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2024-2025
Leah Conklin, Governance Committee and Fundraising Committee
Leah has worked with and in non-profit organizations for more than a decade, most recently at the International Legal Foundation (ILF). She has deep experience in non-profit strategic planning and best practices. In her role as Advocacy and Communications Director, Leah has brought governments, donors and communities together to solve problems and drive positive change. She has led dozens of successful communications and fundraising campaigns, and brings a keen eye to how Southlands can engage our local community. Beyond Southlands, you can occasionally find her on stage at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.
Elizabeth Golden Hilton, Fundraising Committee and Buildings & Grounds Committee
Liz is a long-time supporter of The Southlands Foundation. In fact, she rode with Mrs. Dows (Thomas) as her instructor when she was a very young girl (her first lesson was in 1966)! She can attest to the important values that were instilled from those early years - about having compassion for animals and being stewards of our natural landscape. Liz is also part of the volunteer team that provides weekly equine-assisted therapy to clients from the Samaritan Daytop Program, our long-standing community partnership. In addition, she has been a dedicated member of the Gala Committee for several years. Outside of Southlands, Liz has extensive not-for- profit experience. She serves on several local committees including: the Board for St. Francis Hospital, which helped form what is now Mid-Hudson Regional. She also has been a Board Member and volunteer for the Hyde Park Visual Environment Committee, which focuses its efforts on beautifying the Historic Town of Hyde Park, for a combined 13 years. Finally, she has volunteered on the Dutchess County SPCA (Resource Development Committee) for roughly 18 years.