Carlisle Foundation is expanding its mission with new funding initiatives and deeper impact across our local community and nationwide. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable programs that serve individuals and agencies seeking healing, growth, and opportunities through connection with horses, nature, and community.
Social benefit funds directly benefit the health, education, and well-being of participants in our partner programs through subsidized or free equine-assisted services, community riding, para-equestrian sports, and nature-based initiatives. Populations served include but are not limited to youth and adults with and without disabilities, people recovering from addiction, cancer survivors, at risk youth, and low-income families.
Training and leadership funds support students and practitioners with professional education and industry learning through leadership development initiatives and internships, training programs and clinics, capstone research and academic fieldwork, and service-learning experiences.
Horse and farm stewardship funds ensures that our beloved four-legged friends and farm resources serving charitable purposes are responsibly cared for, including daily care, stable and farm management, and schoolmaster acquisition, endowment, and retirement assistance.
Board of Directors
The Carlisle Foundation is led by a dedicated and independent Board of Directors which charters the Foundation’s strategic priorities, stewards foundation resources, and approves grantmaking activities.
Julia Burns, President
Dr. Julia Burns has dedicated herself to the field of social work in Maine for over 30 years and has taught in higher education for 10 years. Her passion for her work is evident in her previous role as a private consultant, where she assisted social service agencies with accreditation, licensing, and the development of clinical programs. Her extensive experience in training and supervising B.S.W., M.S.W., and D.S.W. students and clinical social workers, as well as her ability to develop and implement course content, is a testament to her commitment to the field. Currently, she continues to serve children, adolescents, and families in her private practice, using a variety of treatment modalities. Specific interests include military social work, equine therapeutic services, spirituality, trauma, and ethical practices. Dr. Burns is committed to equine services, including riding, therapy, and care, which provide profound physical, emotional, and social benefits by leveraging the unique, intuitive nature of horses.
William Souter, Treasurer
Bill Souter is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, where he obtained an associate’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a graduate of Thomas College, where he received a master’s degree in taxation. He began his public accounting career in 1996 with Dawson, Smith, Purvis and Bassett, P.A., located in Portland, Maine, which later merged with a national firm. In October 2020, he formed his own accounting firm, Kelly, Dawson and Souter, LLC, with Mike Kelly and Ryan Dawson. Bill’s area of concentration is tax compliance and tax planning for individuals, privately-owned businesses, trusts, estates and nonprofit organizations. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Maine Society of CPAs. He is the current Treasurer and Board Member of the Saco Bay Rotary Club, a member of the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge #1597 and current Treasurer and Board Member of Carlisle Foundation. Bill lives in Old Orchard Beach with his wife, Jessie and dog, Sally. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, bowling and other outdoor activities. He is also an avid New England sports fan.
Daniel Erickson, Secretary
Dan Erickson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who believes that healing and growth begin with being truly seen and heard. He works with individuals and couples navigating the complex terrain of anxiety, grief, shame, self-doubt, relationship struggles, spiritual questions, and life transitions. With compassion and clarity, Dan helps clients uncover the deeper patterns behind their pain and move toward a more grounded, meaningful life. His work is rooted in collaborative, transformational goal-setting—supporting people in reclaiming their strength, voice, and inner peace. Before becoming a therapist, Dan built a successful career in business development and strategic leadership. He served as Vice President of Elevated Careers by eHarmony, where he brought to life a new vision for meaningful employment by aligning people with roles that fit their values and purpose. He also led high-growth marketing initiatives at JobsInTheUS.com, where his work helped expand the company into new markets and position it for a successful public sale. Though his business career was rich with achievement, Dan ultimately felt called to do more intimate, human-centered work. This led him to pursue a path in counseling—combining his strategic mind with a deep emotional intuition. He also brings to his work a lifelong love of language, having studied creative writing and poetry at Harvard Extension Studies. Dan holds a BA from Marquette University and an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Southern Maine. His personal and professional journey reflects a commitment to purpose, authenticity, and the belief that real change is always possible.
Maria Forney
Maria Forney is a strategic technology and go-to-market leader with more than 15 years of experience driving adoption of enterprise and emerging technologies. She leads Strategic Technology Alliances at PTC, where she works with partners to accelerate innovation and expand the company’s ecosystem. Previously, Maria held leadership roles at Siebel Systems and Oracle spanning product adoption, demand generation, startup engagement, and the launch of sustainability applications. She serves as Chair of the IT Board at the Maine Technology Institute and is a board member of the Islesboro Community Fund, which provides financial assistance, scholarships, and professional development support to residents in need. Maria is a graduate of Bates College.
Christine Sullivan
Dr. Sullivan is an experienced Medical Doctor with a demonstrated history in healthcare leadership, as well as the outpatient and inpatient practice of medicine. Currently Chris is a Medical Consultant with a fortune 500 company where she has experience speaking at industry conferences and coaching physicians. Following graduation from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Residency in Family Medicine, Chris practiced medicine in the Southern Maine community for over 20 years and is passionate about the role of primary care in community health. Currently Chris is volunteering as a Physician at the Portland Free Clinic while working as a Medical Consultant in the disability insurance industry. As a life long rider and ever evolving student of the multidimensional aspects of healing and health Chris is honored to work with the Carlisle Foundation. Former Board work includes Bridges for Integrated Health Care and the Physicians Services Board for Southern Maine Medical Center.
Elizabeth de Lavalette
Horsewoman, owner, and retired public relations and marketing executive. Elizabeth spent the last 20 years of her career focused on the highly specialized energy sector including HVDC transmission, Supergrids, Smart Grids, and renewable energies for a global corporation based in France. Particular aptitudes include strategic planning, writing, development and program implementation. She has also edited and authored several books.
A ‘horse girl’ from a young age, she has always had horses in her life and at present is the owner of three FEI para-dressage equines. (Her daughter, Beatrice de Lavalette, was part of Team USA at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, as well as the World Championship in Denmark in 2022.)
Elizabeth spends as much time as is permitted at her cabin in mid-coast maine where she enjoys writing, painting, and kayaking.
The Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is representative of the populations served as well as further credentialing and expertise in giving priority areas. The Advisory Board has non-voting status but can serve on committees and task forces.