Claire’s 25-year professional background varies from working with non-profits to Fortune 100s. She has experience as a trainer, educator, content creator, project manager, and editor. Claire is also an artist, giving her a creative eye when directing and editing. Her personal love of horses, photography and story-telling helped bring the story of Throw Away Horses to life.

Karla Munguia Colmenero – Editorial Consultant 

Beating 34,000 other entries, Karla was one of 6 Finalists in Animal Planet ”Unearthed”, a docu-reality TV series in 2006 . Karla spent three years working in South Africa as Camera Operator and Off Line Editor for Animal Planet series ”Shamwari: A Wild Life”. While her years in South Africa, Karla took care of an orphaned African elephant while documenting the story about him and his best friend, a sheep for National Geographic’s ”Wild and Woolly”.

February 2014 – to date Karla has served as Ambassador for the Award-winning film ”Keiko, The Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy”, in which she hopes to raise awareness about animals in captivity. January  2019  to date, Karla has served as an editorial consultant on the film Throw Away Horses.

Valeria Moonch – Photographer /Videographer

Valeria Moonch is a creative with over 15 years of experience in photography, marketing communications, and audiovisual production. She started her career in advertising in Santiago, Chile, before expanding her expertise in Mexico, where she focused on lifestyle, events, and brand content photography. She has also taught photography to beginners, sharing her passion for the craft.

Based in Denver, Colorado for the past five years, Valeria continues her work in photography and marketing while exploring film photography direction. She has served as a key videographer for Colorado Horse Rescue sequences. Her storytelling approach captures authentic moments and reveals the beauty of real-life stories. Visit her website and be amazed by her photographs! http://www.valeriamoonch.com

Julie Murray – Videographer

From a small quarter horse racing industry family

Julie is an experienced Video Producer with a history of working in the top news markets across the country. She now focuses on assisting government agencies with strategic communication across many platforms. Skilled in Journalism, Television, Social Media, Storytelling, Drone, and Video. Strong media and communication professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Mass Communication/Media Studies from St. Cloud State University.

Jeff has extensive experience in the application of instructional design and technology to science-based education and Extension outreach products and activities. His audiences—and content experts—have ranged from Kindergarten kids to scientists. His passion is to serve as a “friendly disruptor” injecting new ideas and methods into the most incredible of all human endeavors: learning.

He also has a long history in the production of documentary videos, websites, and other learning products. His portfolio also includes international work in instructional technology and documentary production. Newly retired, after 36 years, Jeff looks forward to continuing my exploration of digital strategy, storytelling and learning innovation as a consultant and producer.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Laurie Brown is UI/UX Developer based out of Portland, Oregon. Laurie has long had a passion for horses and on most weekends can be found volunteering at Wildwood Stables in Cornelius, Oregon. 

GRAPHIC ASSISTANT

Jamani Ward-Lewis

Joanna Grossman, PhD., Equine Program Director and Senior Advisor (AWI)

Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC

Dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people.

Dr. Joanna Grossman leads the equine program and is a lobbyist for the Animal Welfare Institute, one of the nation’s oldest animal protection organizations.  As the equine program director, Joanna oversees AWI’s campaigns, litigation, and legislative advocacy pertaining to horses – both wild and domestic. She was previously AWI’s federal policy advisor, advocating for a wide range of animal protection issues on Capitol Hill.  Her writings and work have appeared in numerous national media outlets, and her chapter on political advocacy was published in the Routledge Handbook of Animal Ethics.  Joanna holds an A.B. from Princeton University and studied as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Oxford before earning her PhD from Harvard University.  While completing her doctorate, she worked on legislation impacting animal welfare at the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and for Congressman Jim Moran, former chair of the Animal Protection Caucus.  Joanna serves on the advisory boards for Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Predator Defense, and Sinergia Animal. www.awionline.org

Katherine Gregory, CEO  Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, Colorado

Katherine is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience driving growth and innovation in organizations across industries. Her background in technology, consumer goods, and animal welfare has led to groundbreaking solutions, such as HorseAlert, a life-saving tool for equine evacuations. With an MBA form Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Kathering brings a strategic mindset and a passion for results for horses, their humans, and their communities. 

www.chr.org

Sarah Hofkamp, (Former) Head Trainer

Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, Colorado

Dedicated to creating safe solutions for horses in need

While at the Colorado Horse Rescue, her life has been dedicated to expanding my knowledge and understanding of how horses think and communicate not only with each other but their human counterparts. Sarah feels it is her personal responsibility to give these amazing creatures the best quality of life a person can offer by not only helping them in every way she can but also teaching those around her. Over the years she’s been blessed by countless individuals, human and horse alike, as they have shared their wisdom and experiences with her. In 2015 she successfully acquired her certification as an equine training instructor and has since built a strong network of students and mentors in the equine industry.

Dan Burak, Board of Directors Member

Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, Colorado

Dan is Vice President of Marketing at Ascend Analytics, a clean energy analytics and modeling software firm in Boulder, CO.Dan’s passion for animal welfare led him to Colorado Horse Rescue, where he has served as a board member, vice president, and president. He lives in Colorado with his wife, two kids, a dog, and a few horses.www.chr.org

Bruce Connally, DVM

Dr. Connally is excited to return to private practice after 7 years as an assistant professor at Colorado State University college of Veterinary Medicine. His experience at CSU served to refine his skills and give him an opportunity to study the best diagnostic and treatment protocols available today. Dr. Connally also spent three years at Michigan State University Veterinary School where he completed a Masters Degree in Large Animal Clinical Sciences. This advanced training added to his 30 years of clinical experience gives Dr. Connally the expertise necessary to care for the higher level equine athlete. Because he is also a competitor with his own horses, he understands the competitive environment. www.wyomingequine.com

Cezanne Decristoforo 

Professional Horse Trainer and Educator

I found Parelli in the early ’90s. I became and instructor in 2000 and focused on my horsemanship. I always take every opportunity I can to ride lots of horses. I rode with Ronnie Willis in Montana, race horses at Windstar Farms, and spent a year as Atwood Ranches Head Trainer. I have studied with classical dressage master, Walter Zettl,  and had the good fortune to ride with Ray Hunt.  I have worked with the Parelli organization in their barn and on tour. I start with colts, develop and work with problem horses, and teach students. www.cezannedecristoforo.com

Brett Sanko

Adopter of horse named Amira.

Linda Fielder, (Former) Medical Manager for the Humane Society of the United State

Linda Fielder, Current

Animal Cruelty Investigations Manager

As the Animal Cruelty Investigations Manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Criminal Justice Program, Linda Fielder provides prosecutors, law enforcement, veterinarians, animal control officers, and animal rescues with essential operational and forensic support on criminal animal cruelty cases. Linda leads extensive training of these entities on evidence collection, scene processing, veterinary forensics, and sheltering of protective custody animal victims. Linda was one of the first Certified Animal Welfare Administrators in the state of Oregon, is a Certified Property and Evidence Specialist, and has completed the FBI-LEEDA Executive Command Leadership Institutes.

Dusty Calcagno, Executive Director

Arabian Horse Rescue and Education

Her rescue and rehabilitation program focuses on the whole horse. They address the nutritional, physical, and emotional well being of their horses. Each horse that they rescue receives individualized treatment, care, and training, so that its full potential can be realized. Their goal is to prepare horses to be solid riding partners and if physically they are unable to be ridden, prepare them for life as companion horses. Their primary focus is intercepting horses at local auctions.  Arabian horses that sell at auction are at extreme risk of being purchased for slaughter.  They further intercept horses through their Owner Surrender Program.  When space and resources permit, they accept horses from owners who have run out of time to re-home their horses safely. www.arabianhorserescueedu.org

Jeanett Franzen, AHRE Volunteer

Worked With Horse named Doc 

Brian Brockway, 

AHRE Volunteer 

Linda Waagen

Foster Home Manager for Horse Named Kahlila

Oregon

Nancy Carpenter, Equestrian Facility Owner

Boarding Facility focusing on Natural Horsemanship