Our team

EILEEN SHANAHAN - President of the Board, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.

As Founder and President of Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc., Eileen Shanahan is an American who recognizes that freedom is precious, yet, not free.  For over 20 years Eileen has studied Natural Horsemanship with great horsemen and women such as John Lyons, Josh Lyons, Pat and Linda Parelli, and Buck Brannaman. This has given Eileen a path of leadership with her horses and in life.  Eileen's love of her country, love of horses and desire to give back has led her to founding Warrior Ranch Foundation.   

For more than 30 years, Eileen has been shooting, editing, and producing television programs and commercials.  Programs include the Cable Ace Award-winning "Long Island Magazine" as well as the Telly Award-winning "Talkin' Horses" and "Neighborhood Journal".  Additionally Eileen has won several editing awards.  Eileen brings these skills sets to Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc. with the award winning documentary "One Soldier, One Horse".

Eileen and her husband Jim are animal lovers who have rescued several dogs and horses over the years. 

Additionally, Eileen supports our troops by volunteering as Vice President for the New York Leatherneck Ball, a subsidiary of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF).  The MCSF honors Marines by providing educational scholarships for their children.

 MAUREEN SHANAHAN ANDERSON - Secretary of the Board, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.

Maureen Shanahan Anderson is the Secretary and Director of Communications for the Warrior Ranch Foundation.  In her day job, Maureen works as a software architect for Gainwell Technologies.  Although one would think that working in the field of software development would be all about egg-headed computer stuff, the daily practice of having to figure out business processes and systems, as well as having to write instructions and proposals, have enabled Maureen to contribute to the Warrior Ranch Foundation in a unique way.

Since 2003, Maureen has volunteered for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation where she serves as a committee member which organizes its premier event, the New York Leatherneck Scholarship Celebratory Ball. She is writer and editor of the event's program journal.

Ever since her sister, Eileen, conceived the idea for the Warrior Ranch, Maureen has assisted by serving as an advisor, writer, editor, and all-around champion of the project. Like the other Warrior Ranch principals, Maureen loves her country, people, and animals. She is pleased to serve all three by helping veterans, first responders, and retired racehorses through the gift of writing for the Warrior Ranch Foundation.

JOAN NOLAN - Treasurer of the Board, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.

As Treasurer for Warrior Ranch Foundation, Joan Nolan furthers a lifetime commitment to the warfighter.  Her father served in the Army and her sister, uncle, and cousin served in the Marine Corps.  Their effort to protect our nation was an inspiration to Joan as she provides support to our troops on the home front.  As an aerospace engineer, Joan's career in the defense industry advanced many programs that enable our warfighters to complete their mission and come home safely.  She also served as Treasurer of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc., and continues to volunteer for the New York Leatherneck Ball Committee, raising scholarship funds for the children of Marines.

Joan has a BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech and Cal Poly Pomona respectively, an MS in Technical Management from John Hopkins University, and an MBA from Georgetown University/ESADE Business School.

COLONEL E. DAVID WOYCIK - Board of Directors, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.

E. David Woycik, Jr., is the Senior Trial Partner of the law firm of Sanders, Aronova, Grossman, Woycik, Viener & Kalant, PLLC, located in Garden City, NY and concentrates on matters related to personal injury, construction, highway design and toxic torts. He was appointed a Special U.S. Attorney for New Jersey 2003-2006.

Mr. Woycik attended the United States Naval Academy and received both his B.A. in 1977 and Law Degree in 1980 from Hofstra University. While at Hofstra, Mr. Woycik was a member of the Varsity Lacrosse Team and Crown & Lance Fraternity. He is past President of the Hofstra Alumni Organization, Veterans' Organization, and the Athletic Association. He received the George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award in 1991 and the Hofstra Award for Alumni Achievement in 1992. 

In 1998, he was chosen as Hofstra's Alumnus of the year. He also served as President of the Athletic Association from 2010 - 2015. He has lectured at Hofstra Law School in the Trial Litigation Program for the past thirty (30) years. Hofstra Law School's nationally renowned Trial Techniques Program was named the "E. David Woycik, Jr. Intensive Trial Techniques Program" for his commitment to Hofstra Law School and his skills as a Trial Attorney. He is recognized for his tenacity and commitment to excellence in representing his clients. 
In 1999, Mr. Woycik was recognized as Hofstra University's Veteran of the year. In 2005, Mr. Woycik was named the 'Distinguished Law School Graduate' for his outstanding achievements in the field of law. In 2009, he was awarded the Athletic Department's "Distinguished Service Award" for his outstanding contributions to athletics and academics. He recently established the Colonel E. David Woycik, Jr. (Ret.) Esq. Leadership Academy for Outstanding Student Athletes at Hofstra University. In 2022, Mr. Woycik was inducted into the inaugural "Hofstra Law School Hall of Fame". 

Mr. Woycik is a guest lecturer for the New York State Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice. He was chairman of the Nassau County Bar Association Plaintiff's Round Table Committee for 2000 and 2001. He has obtained numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for his worthy clients. 

He is active in many community organizations and is a Board Member of Canine Companion for Independence, (Warrior Ranch Foundation) and a Member of Vet Dogs of America Golf Committee. He has previously served as a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island where he instituted an endowment program which has raised substantial funds for children without parents on Long Island. He also served as its President. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Disabled Children's Relief Fund which helped needy children in obtaining medical assistance for serious illnesses. He was a director of the United States Organization for Disabled Athletes Fund for Nassau County. His other philanthropic efforts include volunteer work at the Northport Veterans Hospital where he donates many hours of his time to veterans in need. He was also a Board of Director for The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and Vet Dogs of America. 

Mr. Woycik served his country for thirty years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Colonel in the Judge Advocate General Corps. (JAG). He served in Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as seven (7) overseas tours in Panama. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. 

Mr. Woycik is married to Carolyn Sanchez from Los Angeles, and they reside in Garden City, New York and Naples, Florida. 

KEVIN AINSWORTH - Board of Directors, Emeritus, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.

Kevin is an attorney in the New York office of the Mintz law firm. He has more than 25 years of experience litigating complex commercial disputes, often involving international disputes, patent infringement cases, and trademark infringement cases. He has served on the boards of directors of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. He also represented the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation as amicus curiae in a case before the United States Supreme Court regarding freedom of speech issues. Kevin served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1986 to 1991. He graduated with a B.S. in physics from the University of Michigan and graduated cum laude from Fordham University School of Law.

ANTOINETTE DeGRUCCIO -Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Antoinette is a proud American who is passionate about serving those who serve our country. As a lifelong horsewoman, she knows firsthand how working with horses can transform lives. From a young age, Antoinette felt called to serve her community and knew she would do so by incorporating horses into helping those in need. Therefore, it was no surprise when she graduated from Post University in Waterbury, CT with a BA in Psychology and BS in Equine Busines sManagement. She also holds certifications through the Professional association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) as an Advanced Level Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. With these credentials, Antoinette was able to facilitate therapeutic sessions for a variety of individuals in need; however, she wanted to do more. Antoinette returned to school to receive her Masters in Social Work through Stony Brook University and is currently a licensed Clinical Social Worker in the stat of New York.

Antoinette approaches both human and horses with a strengths based and individual centered perspective. With this philosophy she has successfully utilized Equine Assisted Services with a variety of populations including individuals with physical/cognitive disabilities, severe mental health diagnoses, substance us disorder, ASD, justice involved youth/adults, veterans with PTS and female veterans with MST.

Although Equine Assisted Services is powerful in all realms, Antoinette believes that this intervention can be particularly significant for veterans, first responders, and their families. Horses have served alongside our military and first responders from the beginning making their connection natural and intuitive. Antoinette is honored to part of Warrior Ranch Foundation and grateful for the chance to give back to those who have served our nation.