
Leadership & Board
Leadership, lived experience, and professional expertise.
Executive Leadership & Governance

Martin Turcios, M.S., Recreational Therapy
Founder & Executive Director
Lead Adaptive Golf Instructor & Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
A programmatic leader grounded in recreational therapy. Leads organizational strategy and program delivery, combining lived experience with therapeutic recreation principles to empower participants toward independence.
Martin Turcios founded Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf (MTTG) in 2010 with a belief that golf, when taught intentionally and accessibly, can be a powerful tool for independence, confidence, and personal growth. Drawing on lived experience, teaching adaptive golf for 50 years, and professional training in recreation therapy, Marty leads program development and instruction across all MTTG clinics.
As Executive Director, Marty oversees organizational strategy, partnerships, and program delivery while remaining directly engaged with participants. His approach emphasizes self-directed learning, adaptive instruction, and real-world skill transfer; helping individuals living with disabilities experience not only improved golf skills, but greater confidence and autonomy in daily life.
Board of Directors & Advisors

Melody Lacy
Board Secretary & Treasurer
Development & Grants Director
Oversees financial stewardship and grant strategy to support program expansion and compliance.
Melody Lacy provides fiscal oversight and leads MTTG’s development and grant strategy. In her dual role, she ensures strong financial stewardship, compliance with funding requirements, and alignment between organizational goals and grant-supported programming. Her work supports the sustainability and long-term impact of MTTG’s mission-driven services.

Daniel Ruder,
MS
Vice Chair & Chief Strategy Officer
Colonel, United States Army (Retired)
Brings strategic leadership and organizational governance expertise to strengthen long-term sustainability.
Daniel Ruder brings extensive leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development experience to MTTG. As a retired U.S. Army Colonel, he offers valuable insight into military systems, leadership development, and institutional partnerships. Dan supports long-term strategy, governance, and mission alignment, helping position MTTG for responsible growth and sustained impact.

Kandra Seng, B.S., CTRS
Board Advisor for Therapeutic Recreation & Clinical Partnerships
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist - Eisenhower Army Medical Center
Provides governance-level therapeutic recreation insight and strengthens clinical alignment with healthcare partners, including the Functional Recovery Program at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
Kandra Seng is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) who provides governance-level guidance on therapeutic recreation practices.
She strengthens clinical alignment through:
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Advisory support on program design and participant experience
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Coordination with Eisenhower Army Medical Center for Active Duty Functional Recovery Program (FRP) clinics
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Ensure MTTG’s community programming complements clinical recovery goals

Sara Hillyard, BHS
Board Advisor for Community Outreach & Partnerships
Outreach Coordinator, Pawsitive for Heroes
Guides community engagement strategy and partnership development to expand access and visibility.
Sara Hillyard brings experience in nonprofit outreach, partnership development, and community engagement. As a Board Advisor, she supports MTTG’s efforts to build meaningful relationships with community organizations, referral partners, and support networks. Her perspective helps expand access to therapeutic golf programming and strengthens connections for individuals and families navigating disability and recovery.
Our Approach to Leadership
Shared expertise. Thoughtful governance. Participant-centered impact.
MTTG’s leadership structure is intentionally collaborative. Program delivery is informed by lived experience, adaptive instruction expertise, credentialed therapeutic recreation insight, and healthcare-aligned partnerships. This shared approach ensures MTTG’s programs are accessible, meaningful, and responsive to the real-world needs of participants.
Governance & Program Oversight
MTTG operates with a governance structure that integrates community-based leadership and credentialed therapeutic recreation expertise.
The organization’s Board includes a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) who provides ongoing advisory guidance on program design, participant engagement, and alignment with evidence-informed recreational therapy practices.
This governance-level expertise supports MTTG’s role as a community-based therapeutic recreation provider, ensuring programs emphasize functional outcomes such as independence, social connection, confidence, and meaningful participation.





