We recently had the chance to connect with Tessa Shank and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Tessa, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, integrity is most important. Intelligence and energy are valuable, but they can ebb and flow depending on the day or situation. Integrity is what stays constant, it’s about showing up honestly, following through on your word, and doing the right thing even when it’s not the easiest path. At Wings of Hope, integrity is what allows us to build trust with our riders, families, volunteers, and community, and I believe it’s the foundation that carries us through anything.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tessa Shank, and I serve as the Development Coordinator at Wings of Hope Equitherapy. Wings of Hope has been a part of my life for 14 years, I first started as a volunteer, and now I’m honored to help lead development efforts for an organization that means so much to me. What makes Wings of Hope unique is the way we pair the strength of horses with the resilience of people, creating a space where growth, healing, and belonging happen every day. Right now, I’m especially excited to be working on producing our first-ever Riding for Hope Benefit Rodeo in celebration of our 30th year of operation. It’s such a special milestone, and I’m grateful to play a part in honoring our past while building toward the future.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a loud and proud person who believed I had the power to accomplish anything I set my mind to. But somewhere along the way, I was told that being a ‘proper lady’ meant staying quiet, speaking only when spoken to, and staying in line. I tried for years to fit into that mold, to shrink myself in order to belong to a world that never truly felt like home.
It wasn’t until I found my place at Wings of Hope that I realized I didn’t have to change who I am, I could be fully, unapologetically myself. Wings of Hope taught me that authenticity is not something to be hidden, but something to be honored. It showed me that when we make space for people to shine as their true selves, we create a sense of belonging that is powerful beyond words.
Today, I carry that lesson with me in everything I do. I want to be someone who makes room for others to show up exactly as they are, who encourages people to embrace their truest selves, and who reminds them not to let the world dim their light. My hope is that through my work, my story, and my role at Wings of Hope, I can influence others to find their voice, to stand tall in their authenticity, and to know that they are worthy of a place where they can truly belong.
That’s what makes Wings of Hope so special, we don’t ask anyone to be anything other than who they are. Whether it’s riders, families, or volunteers, this is a place where authenticity is celebrated, where community is built on acceptance, and where everyone can find their place to shine.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: never shrink yourself to fit into a box. If you have to make yourself smaller in order to belong, then that’s not the place for you. You deserve to be fully seen and accepted for who you are. Surround yourself with people who set your soul on fire, who inspire you to look for the brighter parts of every day, and who make even the most ordinary moments feel exciting and worth living.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that what really matters to me is people. They’d probably tell you that I’m the kind of friend who shows up no matter what, who listens without judgment, and who celebrates the little victories just as much as the big ones. They know I care deeply about authenticity and that I want the people around me to feel safe enough to be their truest selves. More than anything, I think they’d say I value connection, finding joy in the everyday moments, being there when it counts, and making sure the people I love never have to question if they matter.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me when I’m gone is that I made everyone feel seen, welcomed, accepted, and loved. I want them to remember that I never met a stranger, that I saw the value and worth in everyone, no matter where they were in their journey. I hope they say that I had a way of encouraging those who felt defeated to stay another day, to keep going, and to believe that struggle is temporary. More than anything, I hope they remember that I believed in the power of friendship, love, and community, and that I tried to leave the people around me feeling stronger, brighter, and more hopeful than they did when I found them. I want my life to be a reflection of compassion in action, a life that inspired others to show up authentically, to care deeply, and to make space for others to shine
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wingsofhopeequitherapy.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingsofhopeequitherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wingsofhopehorses
- Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wingsofhopeequitherapy
