Board of Directors
Jeske Grave, Founder, Board President
Jeske grew up in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and has had a fierce passion for horses since she can remember. Her parents finally gave in and bought Jeske and her sister their first horse when she was 10 years old. Her dream was to see wild horses roam the North American west and one day have the honor and privilege to adventure on a wild mustang through these mountains herself. Jeske is in awe of the strength, beauty and resilience of wild mustangs, and has devoted her life to advocating for their freedom and well being.
“Horses are such valuable teachers in so many different ways. I feel extremely lucky to have the honor and privilege to learn from them while earning their trust and making a positive difference in their lives.”
Brian Maddock, Board Vice President
Brian cares tremendously about all animals, and fell in love with the sensitive nature of mustangs. Living only a block away from Wild Spirit Mustangs he has enjoyed coming over on a regular basis to help out and to learn about and from the mustangs that have come in. He has formed close bonds with some of Wild Spirit Mustangs most timid individuals and finds it incredibly rewarding to see fearful, traumatized mustangs blossom into happy, trusting partners. Brian has been an incredible support throughout the first years caretaking for the mustangs, helping to build the round pen and he built the majority of Wild Spirit Mustangs fencing and shade shelters. We are lucky to have him on our Board. Thank you Brian!
Lea Joannis, Board Treasurer/Secretary
Lea grew up in the French Alps, where her mother passed down her deep love for horses. Lea quickly ran with it—learning to ride, care for, and raise young horses into healthy, confident partners, with a particular love for preparing them for packing and becoming reliable companions on long treks through the mountains.
After moving to the American West, Lea no longer had horses of her own, but she never lost that connection. Whenever she had the opportunity to lend a hand, she did. Helping people understand the connection they had to this wonderful, majestic creature that reflects so much of who they are into the relationship that Men build with horses... That path eventually brought her to Wild Spirit Mustangs, where she became involved in retrieving and caring for the very first wild mustang Jeske ever saved.
For Lea, horses have always represented more than riding—they are partners, teachers, and extraordinary examples of resilience, trust, and freedom. She is grateful to now support Wild Spirit Mustangs and its mission to give these remarkable animals the chance to thrive and find meaningful partnerships with people.