Team MLE

Margaret Rizzo McKelvy, President & Owner

Margaret’s diverse work background has allowed her to use her skills in public relations, event planning and business development to build MLE from the ground up. What started as a “one woman show” in her studio apartment has grown to a team of seven professionals on staff, and additional specialized consultants, working together to not only build a better business, but to more importantly, build better businesses for our clients.

Margaret’s resumé includes positions with the Practical Horseman national magazine, The Equiery publication and service, the Maryland Horse Council legislative and trade association, and the Georgetown Preparatory School, among others. A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, she holds B.A. degrees in Public Relations and American Studies.

Margaret also boasts an extensive career in competitive equestrian sports with a focus on eventing, which has spanned over many years. When not working or riding, she can be found spending time with her husband, Scott, enjoying all the Washington, D.C. area has to offer.

MLE Staff

Izzy Bisese

Izzy Bisese

Marketing Content Manager

Izzy has been in the saddle and around horses most of her life. She has worked every job from clipping horses, to re-starting broodmares; and horse show photographer to unmounted curriculum developer. Out of the barn she has always been as dedicated to understanding people as she is to understanding horses, and holds a MSSW in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University and a BA from Mount Holyoke College. Izzy is passionate about building community, and creating connections.

When Izzy isn’t behind the computer she is very busy with her young horse Atticus, and teaching classical dressage and horsemanship to kids!

Melissa Hopkins

Melissa Hopkins

Administrator & Client Coordinator

Melissa is no stranger to equestrian sports, having evented through the Intermediate level while growing up in Texas. After moving to the East Coast, life got busy, and she took a break from horses and was pulled right back in when her daughter saw a horse at a festival ten years ago. Now with a farm and four horses, Melissa happily has taken on the role of chief cheerleader and groom.

Outside of horses, Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts with a focus on management and marketing and has spent her career mainly in human resources at law firms and financial institutions.

Onawa Rock

Onawa Rock

Graphic Designer & Website Developer

As our resident graphic designer, “Oni” works from her home office in western Maryland. She has a B.A. in Art from the University of New Mexico and an A.A. in Digital Media Design from Frederick Community College. Oni is an avid photographer and has had her images published in the books “Everyday Horsemanship” and “Everyday Trail Riding.”

When not working, Oni keeps busy with her family of husband Shaun, daughter Nakiah, and their two cats Freya and Dola.

Pam Saul

Pam Saul

Bookkeeper & Business Planning Specialist

Pam has over 30 years of experience with bookkeeping and works from her home office in Howard County, Maryland. Having run her family’s Rolling Acres Farm for countless years, Pam branched out when she realized the need for knowledge and skilled bookkeeping services in the agricultural and equine industries. Pam has been deeply involved in the agricultural industry for many years and serves on many boards and organizations, including the Maryland Farm Bureau. This experience gives Pam a unique perspective on the pulse of current agricultural/equine business trends and services in the agricultural and equine industries.

When not at her desk, Pam can be found walking her new dog, Buddy, around her family’s farm while monitoring the care of the 80+ horses on their farm. She and her husband, Don, have two grown daughters, Kristina and Kimmy.

Cheryl Sherman

Cheryl Sherman

Sponsorship Coordinator

Cheryl is a lifelong horsewoman that has competed through Prix St George, earning her USDF Silver Medal on her self-made horse Rio. She is currently enrolled in the ‘L’ judges program; and her daughter, Molly, is an active eventer having completed several one-stars. So rest assured that Cheryl knows the horse world from several different angles!

Cheryl’s educational background include degrees in Graphics and Communications from American University. When not busy working, Cheryl is busy with her two active daughters, as well as her own riding career.