By Britney Grover
Portraits by Melissa Fuller
Kendall Bierer started her horsemanship journey when she was just 5 years old, with Linda Smith Faver at Happy Endings Farm. “I’ll never forget JB—he was the perfect gentleman for a beginner,” Kendall said. “From that moment, I fell in love with horses, and the passion never left. Linda also always instilled the importance of caring for your horse. There was never a moment that a horse was handed to a groom. We were in charge of every aspect of care, and for that education as a child, I will forever be grateful.”
It’s that same kind of education that Kendall is now helping share throughout the world. Living in Wellington, Florida, Kendall is the donor relations officer for Brooke USA Foundation, whose mission is to improve the health, welfare and productivity of working horses, donkeys and mules around the world and the people who depend on them for survival. A large part of this is delivering proper horse care training and information to areas of the world where equines are relied upon for livelihoods, yet their owners may lack the knowledge and skills to keep them healthy. “Contrary to the misconception that these animals are mistreated out of cruelty, the reality is that owners deeply care and want to do better—they just need the tools and information,” Kendall said.
Did you grow up in a horse family?
Yes—my mom rode hunter-jumper in Illinois and later relocated to Wellington when Palm Beach Polo was being developed. She was part of Wellington’s beginning and even foxhunted and played polo for a bit. My dad wasn’t a horseman, but he was the ultimate horse show dad—spit-shining boots and always making sure the horses had plenty of love and care.
What was your riding life like as you grew up?
I rode consistently as a child, leasing a wonderful Thoroughbred mare before eventually having a horse of my own. I competed in the equitation divisions and the 3’3″ hunters. While I don’t show anymore, my path has led me to advocacy and development work with Brooke USA. I’m now a mom, and my daughter is starting to catch horse fever—so I look forward to one day stepping back into the barn with her by my side.
How did you get involved with Brooke USA?
After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a background in journalism and women’s studies, I began working at Phelps Media Group under the guidance of Mason Phelps, Jr. Many of my PR clients were nonprofits, and Brooke USA Foundation quickly captured my heart. In 2015, I helped manage the account during the Foundation’s launch. When CEO Emily Dulin joined later that year, we worked closely on branding and messaging, and together launched our first major event, Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo & White Party. Emily later offered me a full-time role—and I’ve never looked back.
What is your role with Brooke USA?
I serve as the donor relations officer, working closely with Emily and our philanthropic team to support major donors and discover the passions that drive their giving. I also manage our communications, social media and special campaigns—including our signature Wellington event, Divertimentos & Dressage, which broke records in 2025 and returns February 12, 2026.
What is your favorite part of being involved with Brooke USA and what are your goals?
What I love most about being involved with Brooke USA is knowing that each day, my work helps create a meaningful and lasting impact—not just for animals, but for the people who rely on them. Our mission is deeply rooted in compassion and sustainability. We address challenges from every angle by offering veterinary treatment, improved handling and better husbandry practices. We also educate and empower owners to provide better care for their animals, train local vets and providers and advocate for governments to influence policy and ensure that working equines are protected in legislation.
Right now, Brooke USA is helping to lead multi-year projects in India’s brick kilns, Pakistan’s coal mines and Tanzania’s gold mines. These initiatives not only improve equine welfare, but also expand access to education, nutrition and health services for women and children—ultimately strengthening entire communities.
One area I’m especially proud of is our advocacy to end the donkey hide trade in the United States, which drives the demand for ejiao—a product made from donkey skins. This inhumane trade is decimating donkey populations across Africa and Asia and devastating the families who depend on them for their livelihoods.
My personal goal is to help Brooke USA grow its reach, strengthen our relationships with supporters and continue being a voice for these invisible workers. When you empower equines, you empower people. And I am honored to play a part in that mission, especially as the organization celebrates 10 years.
What trips have you been on with Brooke USA to see the equines and people in person?
In 2017 I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Guatemala with Brooke USA Ambassadors Ali Brock, JJ Tate and Kasey Perry-Glass. It was life-changing to see our mission in action and witness firsthand how impactful Brooke USA’s support is on the ground.
We visited communities where families rely heavily on their working equines for survival. Through our projects, families were gaining access to clean water, learning how to create feeding troughs from recycled materials like tires and plywood and improving their understanding of proper bit usage and saddle fitting. So many of the issues these animals face stem from a simple lack of knowledge—people are using generational practices that haven’t evolved. Education is the game-changer.
One moment that stayed with me was a woman who literally ran up the mountain after our vehicle, desperate to learn how to make a feed trough. She was eager to help her animals.
Another woman, a community leader, proudly showed us the fodder she had grown and stored with the help of her neighbors. This meant their animals could be fed even during periods of drought—something that had devastated their village in the past. It was a clear sign that sustainable change had taken root.
Perhaps the most powerful lesson was how something as small as naming a horse or donkey could shift everything. Once named, the animal became more than a tool—it became part of the family.
That trip opened my eyes to the real, lasting change Brooke USA makes possible. It’s not just about animal welfare—it’s about transforming entire communities through compassion, education and empowerment. I’ll never forget it.
What is the best thing about your life?
My family. They are everything. They’re the reason I work with such purpose, and they remind me why Brooke USA’s mission—to support women, children and working animals—is so important. Horses are in my blood, but being a mother and wife has given me a whole new lens through which I view our work.
What’s the best-kept secret about what you do?
I actually design most of Brooke USA’s graphics and visual campaigns! I’ve always loved creative design, and I’m grateful that my role allows me to keep this passion alive. Every campaign, every image, is a way to raise awareness and create impact.
Follow Brooke USA on Instagram @brooke_usa or visit brookeusa.org
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com
