Exploring Life & Business with Jessi Summer of Coral Acres Wellness Sanctuary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessi Summer.

Hi Jessi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was fortunate to be exposed to horses at a young age through some extended family who participated in the Hunter/Jumper show circuits. I took a few lessons here and there, but truly just enjoyed the presence of them and the idea of being outside on a ranch as often as I could. My early career took me through the auto industry, the financial industry, and a handful of other retail jobs and while those weren’t my passion jobs or provided me the same daily sense of self I now feel, I look back on those years as the incredible learning opportunities they were. I am grateful to have been a part of those industries because there is always something to learn and apply when it comes to professionalism, business strategy, finances, and even human resources development.

It was after I began fostering puppies for a local canine rescue that I really started to find that my passion was in the nonprofit sector. I pursued my master’s of science in nonprofit management, and the rest, as they say, is history. Working as a volunteer manager at a hospice, running the development and fundraising elements of a canine rescue and eventually another horse rescue, I have grown into the person I have always wanted to become and continue to grow and learn about who I am and how I can help animals and humans in need day in and day out.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It most definitely has not been smooth! But where’s the fun in that? Bouncing around from job to job, constantly feeling unsettled and unfulfilled is certainly not a state that I wanted to stay in forever, as I’m sure most can agree. I dreamed of the day of finding my tribe and always felt so out of sorts that I was approaching 25 then 30 that I had yet to truly find them.

That’s not to say that once I did realize my calling was animal rescue and welfare that it was smooth sailing either. There are an endless amount of challenges in the animal rescue world, of which I have encountered many. How do you know who to trust? The abuse and neglect seem to be endless, why should I keep trying? Are humans really this awful, is all the good gone from the world? I truly could go on and on. And I know they will keep coming, but that is why I am firm on my path now, to combat them as best as I and my team know how!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Coral Acres Wellness Sanctuary (CAWS) was founded by a team of experienced equine professionals and business leaders who share a deep commitment to improving the lives of horses and their owners. Our team came together after working at another rescue, where we witnessed both the successes and challenges of traditional horse rescue models. We took those valuable lessons and set out to create a more innovative and sustainable approach—one that not only benefits the horses but also the broader community.

Our mission: Coral Acres Wellness Sanctuary is a female-founded nonprofit dedicated to the well-being of horses by prioritizing consent, compassion, safety, and partnership within our community.

Our objective is to create a sanctuary where horses and people can heal and thrive together, supported by a sustainable and innovative business model. Our model is unique because we’ve integrated a business component to offset the costs of horse care, making equine experiences more accessible to the entire community. By creating a retreat center in addition to the traditional barns and pastures needed for the horses, we aim to provide safe, quiet spaces for humans to call their very own sanctuary. This strategic approach ensures that our rescue is not solely reliant on donations and grants, giving us greater financial stability and long-term sustainability.

What sets Coral Acres apart is the strength of our leadership. Most of our staff and board members bring significant business experience, allowing us to operate as a successful organization rather than just another passion project. Our board president serves as an IT Auditor for the Colorado State Legislature, providing valuable oversight and strategic insight. Our board treasurer is the Operations Supervisor of a VPP Star Power Generation site, bringing operational expertise to our day-to-day activities with a fresh perspective from the “amateur” eye in regard to equine rescue. We also benefit from the creative and entrepreneurial talent of a graphic artist and photographer who is also trained in equine massage and wrangling. .
Additionally, our team includes Janice, affectionately known as the “heart” of CAWS for her deep understanding of equine care and behavior, and Jessi, our “brain” of CAWS, who brings years of expertise in nonprofit operations. Coral Acres is proudly female-founded and run, and all of our team members are volunteers, driven by a shared passion for equine welfare and community engagement.

Our mission extends beyond rescue and rehabilitation—we are also dedicated to advocacy and education. Drawing from broad industry-wide experiences and news related to abuse and neglect, we’ve seen firsthand the urgent need for better welfare and handling standards within the equine industry. Coral Acres actively works to fill this gap by educating owners and providing resources in a more accessible and supportive way. By empowering owners with knowledge and better practices, we aim to reduce the cycle of mistreatment and create a more compassionate environment for horses.

This powerful combination of equine knowledge, business acumen, and community focus positions Coral Acres Wellness Sanctuary to make a lasting impact in the equine and self-care world.

This year we are launching our capital campaign, to raise funds to purchase our sanctuary land. Below is the opening dialogue of our campaign!

Capital Campaign for Coral Acres Wellness Sanctuary (CAWS)
Bringing Peace Back to a Fractured World—One Horse, One Human at a Time

Our Vision: A Refuge for the Restless
Today’s world is filled with noise, pressure, and disconnection. People are struggling to find peace—in themselves, in their communities, and in the natural world. At the same time, unwanted horses across Colorado and beyond are discarded and forgotten, their gentleness overlooked, their spirit misunderstood.

Coral Acres Wellness Sanctuary (CAWS) is being built to answer both of these needs. It is a place where peace is not only possible—it is practiced, cultivated, and shared.

CAWS is a refuge for the forgotten, a sanctuary for the soul, and a rare space where humans and horses come together to heal, connect, and rediscover purpose.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
A nonprofit needs to be treated the same as any for-profit business when it comes to proper business structure! Policies and procedures, proper bookkeeping, documentation… it all matters more than you’d think. We all want to get out there and simply work on what we are passionate about, but you will fail to make the impacts you truly seek if your basic administrative needs and requirements are not met. Just because you may not know how to do these items correctly doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be done! Hire a professional, find a volunteer! There are so many options to grow your nonprofit with a strong base right from the get go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://coralacres.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coral_acres_wellness_sanctuary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coral.acres.wellness.sanctuary
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coral-acres-wellness-sanctuary/

Image Credits
Logo designed by Megan Stauffer of Dogfort Creative