
Member Spotlight: Kay Anderson
Kay: My name is Kay Anderson and my life’s work and passions are in the areas of Leadership Development, Coaching and Organizational Development. I’ve worked with middle-school students, college athletes and executives in small start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. I am passionate about supporting humans on their journeys as they evolve, rise, and strive to become the very best versions of themselves … in all realms, roles and responsibilities.
My toolbox includes some “secret weapons” that have proven absolutely invaluable in supporting clients through some of their most challenging and important transformations.
The two secret weapons? HeartMath and Horses.
As a HeartMath® Certified Trainer, I employ easy-to-use, powerfully-effective, and scientifically-validated resilience techniques to help clients lead (and live!) from their own place of authenticity and wholeness.
For clients who are interested in bringing HeartMath® to their work teams, sports teams or event non-profit boards, HeartMath’s Activating the Heart of Teams™ is a perfect solution! This is a powerful program that provides immediate results including increased connectedness, greater team harmony, improved collaboration and enhanced intuition for problem-solving and decision-making.
E3A: Why did you become a member of E3Aand how has it helped you in your EAL business?
Kay: My introduction to equine partnerships in leadership development came through a colleague who thought I may be interested in the power of horses in the field of leadership. I knew nothing about horses at all, but was intrigued, so I hired a trainer and enrolled in an 18-month certification program at Academy for Coaching with Horses. That work provided the foundation on which much of my work and life are now based. It also provided powerful techniques that served my clients in powerful ways.
I was attracted to E3A in 2016 because I was looking to expand my body of knowledge around EAL.
E3A: What are a couple transformations that have happened for your clients using the 5 question DIPIT model of debriefing?
Kay: I LOVED learning the DIPIT model because it mirrored my core belief in helping clients see how the equine work could (and did!) relate to their worlds outside the arena.
It was great fun to learn the question model because … well, quite honestly, it made my coaching with teams “that much” easier. The clear model provides opportunities that allow me to FACILIATE the client in finding their own answers. “Where else does this happen in your life (or work or home?)” is a question that … over and over … creates such a powerful PAUSE! That pause allows the client to stop, for just a moment, and consider so much more than simply what happened in the ring with the horse.

E3A: How did attending the last E3A conference help you in your EAL business? If you are attending this year, what are you most looking forward to?
Kay: Attending the last E3A Conference in 2019 helped me in my EAL business in three distinct ways.
First, I was able to learn from people who are doing this work all over the world. To be surrounded by that level of expertise and passion was such an unexpected gift.
Second, through presenting at the conference, I was able to share my passion around HeartMath, and to help my colleagues learn more about how our own presence can truly influence the work we do with clients and with horses. It solidified my belief that this work is powerful, and that HeartMath belongs in the arena.
Thirdly, I met colleagues who have become FRIENDS and confidants. Sometimes this work can feel lonely because we’re often the only one in our region who is providing this type of powerful transformational work. Being able to pick up the phone or hop on a Zoom call with colleagues around the world is priceless.
For this year’s conference, I’m looking forward to sharing more HeartMath tips and techniques with the community, to reconnecting with old friends, and to meeting NEW colleagues and learning. I always learn so much in the presence of this team. We all offer such unique gifts to the world, and I believe that our E3A circle is simply magical.
E3A: If other members want to reach out to you for questions or to get more information, how can they reach you?
Kay: I’m based in Western North Carolina with my spouse and ten horses. Much of my equine leadership work is conducted there at Skyland Equine (SkylandEquine.com). I also have an office in central Iowa, and collaborate with equine professionals across the country to deliver HeartMath and EAL leadership programs.
I can be reached at 301-529-5587 / kay@thehumanside.com (new website coming soon!!). Also check out skylandequine.com.