Meet Great Meadow’s New Executive Director - Carrie E. Hull

In early June of this year, the Great Meadow Foundation selected Carrie E. Hull as Executive Director. Now three months into the position Hull’s enthusiasm for stewarding Great Meadow into the future has only grown as she has learned more about the traditions and memories that make it so special.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the greater community to showcase the original mission of the organization to ‘preserve open space for equestrian and community service,’” said Hull of her role. “The impact of the programs directed on this beautiful preserved property is felt not only locally, but nationally and now internationally. Great Meadow has been a significant part of this community for over three decades. Everyone has a Great Meadow story to share.”

Hull came to Great Meadow following a tenure as the Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Council where she also served as publisher of The Equiery, Maryland’s premier equestrian magazine. While at MHC, Hull established the Maryland Horse Council Foundation, home to the Maryland Equine Transition Service, a statewide equine safety net initiative that provides safe alternatives

for horses needing homes by helping owners identify and select the best transition options for those animals.

A Washington D.C. resident and alumni of George Washington University, Hull has lifelong ties to the equestrian community and brings a wealth of fundraising experience. She spent the first decade of her career working in investment management during which time she was a member of Bank of America’s LEAD for Women and a committee leader for the Merrill Lynch Capital Region Women’s Exchange.

She went on to serve as the Director of Planned Giving and Strategic Engagement at the Goldwater Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Hull has also worked on staff as a gift planner and major gifts officer at the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution where she directed a well-established planned giving program and managed a traditional portfolio of major gift prospects. Additionally, Hull volunteers for the EQUUS Foundation, the only national charity dedicated 100% to equine welfare.

As Executive Director, Hull is developing a new strategic operating plan, which includes the establishment of an endowment, enhanced communications, key partnerships and expanded programs. In this role, she can generate enthusiasm for Great Meadow from both longtime supporters and a new generation of stewards of open space.

She said, “It is also important to continue to diversify the organization’s revenue streams.” This will also include rebuilding the property’s reputation as a premier outdoor events venue. While COVID-19 has postponed plans to launch a more robust wedding venue plan this year, Director of Communication, Kira Topeka is actively working on the collateral and relationships necessary to support an increase in outdoor weddings in 2021.”

With the addition of Fleming Farm and the construction of a world-class arena, Great Meadow has the ability to host equestrian events across nearly every discipline. “There is a huge opportunity to increase property rentals for both equestrian use and public use,” Hull said. Many are aware that the property hosts regular rocketry competitions and the annual Scottish Games.

“The opportunities to increase programming at Great Meadow are boundless, but we first need to renew support both financially and culturally,” Hull emphasized. “Virginia has a strong history of philanthropy and I invite everyone with a wonderful Great Meadow memory to rally behind the organization and become a financial supporter as a ‘Friend of Great Meadow.’”