ECIR Group Inc. Appoints Nancy Collins as Executive Director
01/12/2026
Tempe, AZ, January 12, 2026 — ECIR Group Inc, a US 501(c)3 nonprofit, focusing on the needs of metabolic equines, today announces the appointment of Nancy C. Collins as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2026.
“We are thrilled to announce Nancy as the first to fill this new position for the ECIR Group.” said Dr. Kathleen Gustafson, ECIR Group President. “Starting in 2000, the group initially provided support and guidance. In 2013 we formed a nonprofit with a clear mission and goals for the future. Thirteen years later, we have achieved many of those goals – presenting conferences, providing education, funding independent research, and contributing to the scientific community. But behind this are the day-to-day operations that keep us moving forward. As time went on, it became clear that we needed someone to take on this position and support the cause of the ECIR nonprofit group and Nancy, with her experience, was the ideal choice.”
Collins is the first to fill this newly created position, and brings 20 years of ECIR Group experience, with strong background in management and development. She has previously served ECIR Group in the multiple positions including President, Treasurer, Director, and Moderator. Among the many major projects Nancy has led, have been acquiring nonprofit status for the group, six NO Laminitis! Conferences, four ECIR Group films, and three ECIR Group websites: the Case History site, ecirhorse.org and nolaminitis.org.
Dr. Eleanor M. Kellon expressed full support for the transition, “We start our 26th year, with Nancy as Executive Director, Dr. Gustafson as President and an involved, working Board of Directors. I am very excited to begin work on our next goals, continuing to better define how to best help these equines and their caregivers.”
“I’m honored to take on the role of Executive Director for ECIR Group Inc. The volunteers, members and supporters have built a strong foundation.” said Collins. “I look forward to continuing to work with the everyone to build on that success and grow recognition of the ECIR Group as a reliable source of evidence-based protocols to help metabolic equines.”
The creation of the new leadership team comes as the ECIR Group enters its 26th year, continuing to help metabolic horses through the collection and reporting of experiences and data in a way recognized, accepted and used by the equine community.
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About ECIR Group Inc. The ECIR Group is the largest field-trial database for PPID and EMS in the world and provides the latest research, diagnosis, and treatment information, in addition to dietary recommendations for horses with these conditions. Even universities do not and cannot compile and follow long term as many in-depth case histories of PPID/EMS horses as the ECIR Group.
In 2013 the Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc., an Arizona nonprofit corporation, was approved as a 501(c)3 public charity. Tax deductible contributions and grants support ongoing research, education, and awareness of Equine Cushing's Disease/PPID and EMS.
THE MISSION of the ECIR Group Inc. is to improve the welfare of equines with metabolic disorders via a unique interface between basic research and real-life clinical experience. Prevention of laminitis is the ultimate goal. The ECIR Group serves the scientific community, practicing clinicians, and owners by focusing on investigations most likely to quickly, immediately, and significantly benefit the welfare of the horse.
Your contributions support ongoing education and awareness of Equine Cushing's Disease and Insulin Resistance. https://www.ecirhorse.org/how-to-help-ECIR.php
