Maddie Gierber Takes the Reins at Rainbow

Rainbow is delighted to share the news that its current Program Director, Maddie Gierber, has been appointed its new Executive Director.

Maddie, who started as the weekend barn manager in 2012 and rose through the ranks to Program Director in 2024, will take the helm of the $650,000-a-year nonprofit, overseeing 10 staff, 10 therapy horses, and a program that serves more than 300 students and their families across Northern Virginia each year.

Maddie Gierber, Rainbow’s new Executive Director

The leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter for Rainbow, whilst maintaining a strong connection to the organization’s history and mission. With her extensive tenure at Rainbow, Maddie brings a unique understanding of the organization, its students, horses, volunteers, and staff. Her appointment ensures that the knowledge and values that have shaped Rainbow for more than four decades will continue, while bringing new energy and ideas to its future.

During her 11-year tenure, outgoing Executive Director Inga Janke oversaw Rainbow’s growth from 1,000 to more than 3,000 lessons per year, orchestrated the construction of a 12-stall barn, and established a partnership with the county-based Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) to support youth and adolescents in crisis. She fostered a culture at Rainbow that helped build on its success year after year and will remain on staff in an advisory role through the remainder of 2026.

Inga Janke, outgoing Rainbow Executive Director

On her appointment, Maddie commented: “Rainbow has played a pivotal role in my life from being a teenager and working with thousands of students over the years. I’m excited to continue its legacy and build on the many successes we have achieved under Inga’s leadership”.