CARY, NC (April 1, 2024) – CORRAL Riding Academy, a Cary-based, faith-motivated nonprofit founded by Joy Currey in 2008, is proud to announce a unanimous board vote promoting Lauren Clements as the organization’s next Executive Director. Clements takes the reins from Currey, who has dedicated the past 15 years of her life to establishing a proven foundation for CORRAL’s transformational work while growing the program in line with its vision of ending the cycle of intergenerational trauma and systemic marginalization in its community.
Under Currey’s leadership over the past 15 years, CORRAL has grown steadily from one to 15 full-time employees, inspired a community of 400 donors and 300 volunteers, increased annual fundraising from its inaugural $17K to $1.5M in 2023, rescued 32 mistreated and abused horses, and successfully served over 500 young women. By equipping adolescent girls in high-risk situations through a long-term, holistic program of equine therapy and education, CORRAL provides the skills, resources, and support to propel them and their communities toward promising futures. Throughout her tenure, Currey’s focus on cultivating a reputation for fostering remarkable female leaders adds to her legacy, resulting in a professional environment where women not only flourish but make big things happen for their community.
As one of the many visionary leaders working alongside Currey throughout the non-profit’s existence, Clements’ ascension to Executive Director comes naturally. She’s played a pivotal role in shaping CORRAL’s trajectory from its inception, starting out as a volunteer in 2008 and working her way up through various roles to the most senior position within the organization. Her steady presence and thoughtful guidance will be instrumental in providing CORRAL with the stability and leadership required to reach its 2030 vision. She will assume her new role following CORRAL’s annual Gala in April, at which point Joy will transition into a founder’s role on the board.
Currey shares: “It is with great enthusiasm that the board and I announce Lauren Clements has been voted in as CORRAL’s next Executive Director. She will assume the role following CORRAL’s annual Gala in April, at which point I will transition into a founder’s role on the board.”
While Clement’s career accomplishments with CORRAL are vast, some of her most significant achievements include: co-authorship of nearly every policy and procedure over the past decade years, pivotal guidance in the organization’s strategy and vision, her aptitude for problem solving and deep knowledge of the organization inside and out, and her innate gift for building the program and the community that surrounds the girls so that both continue to thrive.
“This is truly momentous for CORRAL and I don’t know if I’ll ever have the words to express how grateful I am for Joy to not only create CORRAL, but to grow it to a place where it is more than one person’s vision,” says Clements. “There are so many people who have joined CORRAL and I’m honored to be charged with leading CORRAL’s continued growth.”
As these transitions set in, CORRAL will continue to build off the momentum already underway after a successful 2023 fundraising season cementing the organization’s future success, including acquiring a second, 100-acre farm in 2023 through a partnership with the City of Raleigh under Clement’s leadership, providing much-needed space and infrastructure to continue expanding the program and serving more girls and horses.
After all, a pivotal indicator of CORRAL’s health and continued potential is its ability to transcend the influence and vision of its founder — a crucial step in the evolution of any non-profit. With Clements now at the helm, the collective hope of the entire CORRAL community shines brighter than ever, supported by a proven team of exceptional leaders united by a common purpose poised to guide CORRAL well into the future.
Joy Currey, Founder
