About Victoria A. Hailey
Vicky Hailey brings a lifetime of experience, leadership, and heart to this work.
As Executive Director and Barn Manager, she’s building something that’s meant to feel different — a place where horses are safe, well cared for, and simply allowed to be horses… and where people can slow down, breathe, and reconnect.
Over a 50-year career, Vicky has worked with hundreds of organizations as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), helping them grow, navigate change, and lead with integrity. More recently, that work has included helping organizations approach artificial intelligence in a thoughtful, ethical way — always with a “do no harm” mindset.
Her background includes governance, strategy, and organizational development, with experience working alongside international standards like ISO 26000 (Social Responsibility) and ISO/IEC 42001 (Artificial Intelligence Management Systems).
But beyond all of that — this work is personal.
Vicky has a deep respect for animals and a genuine commitment to their care and well-being. She holds specialized training in Human-Animal Interventions (CHAIS, Oakland University) and continues her learning through Equine Guelph, focusing on equine welfare and best practices.
She also cares deeply about the land this work happens on.
There’s a strong belief here that we’re not just building on the land — we’re part of it. That means approaching everything with respect for the local First Nations communities, and doing our best to listen, learn, and move forward thoughtfully.
It also means keeping things as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible — from how the land is used, to how the space is built and powered — with a focus on long-term care for both the environment and the animals who depend on it.
In a world where too many horses remain vulnerable, this work is about doing better.
At the heart of it all is a simple idea:
Horses deserve safety, dignity, and proper care — and when they have that, they have an incredible way of helping people feel grounded, present, and connected again.
This is about creating a space that feels good to be in — for the horses, for the people, and for the land itself.
We invite you to be part of what happens next
If this resonates with you — if you believe in creating a place where horses are safe, where people can connect with horses and nature, and where something thoughtful and compassionate is possible — we invite you to be part of continuing to build Maamawi-Noojimoiwewin Centre.
Maamawi-Noojimoiwewin is Ojibwe and means “healing together”.
It speaks to the connection between people, horses, and the land — and the journey we all share.
The name was gifted by the mother and grandmother of Kara Perrault-Barry (Garden River First Nation), who created our logo.