Led by a Commitment to Service and Second Chances

Our Board

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. Eileen is a licensed Equine Facilitator. 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". And most recently with "Warrior - A Battle Against Trauma: Learning to Love and Trust Again".

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.
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.
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.
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.
Board of Directors, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.
Larry is a proud American with several family members serving in WWII. Larry joined the Suffolk County Police Department in 2002 and served 20 years before his career was ended due to injuries incurred at the hands of a fleeing felon. During his time with the SCPD, Larry served the 1700 members of the Suffolk PBA as a 3rd Precinct Delegate and then on the PBA Board as 3rd Precinct Trustee. Among other duties, Larry addressed the mental health of the Membership by heading up the PEER Support Team Committee as Chairman, among other duties.

In retirement, Larry started Blue Line Advocacy & Wellness, and organization dedicated to advocating for and facilitating mental health services for first responders. He is certified in Assisting Individuals In Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, in which, at the conclusion, Larry will be a licensed NYS Mental Health Counselor.
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.

Program manager

Program Manager
Antoinette is a proud American with a deep passion for serving those who serve our country. A lifelong horsewoman and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), she brings together two distinct areas of expertise—equine-assisted services and clinical mental health—to create meaningful opportunities for healing, resilience, and personal growth. This unique combination allows her to understand both the therapeutic potential of the horse-human relationship and the complex emotional challenges faced by those she serves.

Antoinette earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Equine Business Management from Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. She later completed her Master of Social Work at Stony Brook University and is licensed to practice in New York. She also holds certifications through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) as an Advanced Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL).

Throughout her career, Antoinette has worked with individuals experiencing physical and cognitive disabilities, serious mental health conditions, substance use disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), justice involvement, veterans living with post-traumatic stress, and female veterans recovering from military sexual trauma. She approaches every interaction with both people and horses from a strengths-based, person-centered perspective, recognizing the value, dignity, and potential each individual brings to the partnership.

While she has witnessed the transformative impact of Equine Assisted Services across many populations, Antoinette believes the work is especially powerful for veterans, first responders, and their families. Horses have served alongside military members and first responders throughout history, creating a bond rooted in trust, courage, and partnership. As Program Manager at Warrior Ranch Foundation, Antoinette is honored to combine her clinical expertise, professional horsemanship, and lifelong passion for horses to help those who have dedicated their lives to serving others discover hope, healing, and renewed purpose.

head equine specialist

HEAD EQUINE SPECIALIST
Gina Marie Lamb is a proud American with a deep respect for the men and women who have dedicated their lives in service to this country.  Seeing her brother serve and other family members during WWII has given her the appreciation for the commitment needed to put others first and serve a greater good.

As a life-long lover of horses she has been able to apply her passion in becoming an accomplished rider and now provides that experience through Iron Horse Fields Inc. She has seen the positive impact that "Natural Horsemanship" has on the horse and rider and looks to share this experience with others.

Gina is proud to be associated with the Warrior Ranch Foundation and with her two horses, Chance and Chocky, is looking forward to the opportunity to help others feel the joy and accomplishment when that ultimate bond is created.

Administrative assistant

administrative assistant
Lauren Stark joined Warrior Ranch Foundation with a deep appreciation for the life-changing bond between horses and people. Coming from a proud veteran family, Warrior Ranch's mission is deeply personal to her. In 2023, horses became an important part of Lauren's own healing journey, giving her firsthand insight into the trust, resilience, and hope they can inspire.

As Administrative Assistant, Lauren oversees the Foundation's daily administrative operations, volunteer coordination, financial administration, inventory management, donor acknowledgments, event coordination—and a little bit of everything in between. She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences for the veterans, active military, first responders, and families who come through Warrior Ranch's programs.

Lauren believes that healing can take many forms, and she is honored to be part of an organization where rescued horses help America's heroes find strength, purpose, and connection. She is proud to support Warrior Ranch's mission of transforming lives - one horse and one hero at a time.

support team

Media Specialist
Danielle Altebrando is a storyteller who gets inspired by the world around her and is fueled by passion. Previously, Danielle worked as a production technician at Cablevision, a video engineer intern for Ocean Exploration Trust aboard the E.V. Nautilus, and a videographer for concerts with GVP Media. She is currently an encoding specialist for Warner Brothers Discovery. Most recently, Danielle is the producer/narrator of "Warrior - A Battle Against Trauma: Learning to Love and Trust Again".
Ambassador, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.
Deb is proud to come from a long line of military family members. The daughter of a US Marine, she can trace her family's military linage back eight generations to Captain James Knox, who served as a guard to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

Growing up in upstate New York, Deb felt most at home inside a barn, whether it be her neighbor's dairy cow farm or the Quarter Horse barn her uncle managed. This is where her love of animals began. Always happily willing to ride everyone else's horses, her life long dream of having a horse of her own came true in adulthood with the purchase of Lotti, a dark, leggy Thoroughbred in 2015, and in 2021 with the addition of Lucky, a doe-eyed American Paint Palomino who participates as a guest herd horse at some Warrior Ranch Foundation retreats.

As the wife of a volunteer firefighter and the mother of two sons who are EMT's, Deb also has a close connection and understanding of first responders.

The combination of military family roots, a love of horses, and living in a household of first responders, made Warrior Ranch Foundation the perfect fit for Deb to volunteer her horse skills, assist veterans and first responders, and practice her new found love of photography by capturing the important moments that happen at the ranch. Deb is grateful to be a part of the Warrior Ranch Foundation team.
Coach
Joe graduated from Iona College with a Bachelor of Business Administration and retired as a Captain after a distinguished 29-year career with the Yonkers Fire Department. Following his retirement, he spent six years volunteering as a courier, transporting lifesaving bone marrow donations to patients in need. Since 2021, Joe has been a dedicated volunteer at Warrior Ranch, where he continues his lifelong commitment to serving others. He has been married to his wife, Susan, for 36 years, and together they have a son, Matt. Joe's life is a testament to service, leadership, and giving back to his community.
Equine Coach
Juliette is a horsewoman and a patriot who is dedicated to the mission of Warrior Ranch Foundation. A rider since age nine, Juliette trained on Long Island and competed with her thoroughbred, Marquis, in several classes including Equitation Flat, Over Fences, and Jumper. She taught private and group horseback riding lessons to both children and adults at the Thomas School of Horsemanship.

Juliette's love of country was first instilled by her father, an Air Force Veteran and retired Nassau County Police Officer, and her grandfathers, who are WWII Navy and Marine Corps Veterans. Her devotion to our country's veterans grew throughout her life.

In 2017, Juliette lost a dear, childhood friend and United States Marine to his battle with post-traumatic stress and substance abuse. His death was, and still is, a significant event in Juliette's life and drives her passion to do better for our country's veterans.
Ambassador - Peer to Peer & Resource, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Inc.
Ray is a US Army Veteran, served during Desert Storm and for three years was a military police officer. Ray joined the Suffolk County Police Department and retired after 28 years of service. He spend the majority of his time assigned to the police academy, training recruits, and in-service personnel in disabilities and mental health. He was also the Crisis Intervention Team coordinator and was part of the team that opened the first crisis center in Suffolk County.

Ray attended CUNY, receiving his bachelors in Disability Studies and concentrated on Mental Health and the proper care of individuals diagnosed with different disorders. Ray then attended Stonybrook University where he received his masters in Public Policy.

As a police officer, Ray was part of the departments' peer team and in retirement he was a peer mentor with the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program, assisting veterans at risk.

Currently, Ray does mental health training and consulting for law enforcement and veterans throughout NY State for Mental Health Association in New York State and Office of Mental Health NY.

Ray is married to his wife Tracie for over 30 years and together they have two sons.