Laurie Bruun, Executive Director

Ms Bruun brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this newly created position and will be at the helm for what is expected to be a period of rapid growth for MTRA. She has been associated with MTRA for many years and has held numerous positions on the MTRA Board of Directors including President, Vice President, and Treasurer.

Laurie’s strong marketing and fundraising skills combined with her many years of experience within the therapeutic riding profession enables us to reach even more disabled children and adults within our community as well as the surrounding communities.

Ms. Bruun is a native of Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Equine Science. She has volunteered at MTRA since 2001 and has accumulated more than 5000 volunteer hours.

Karen Holmberg, Volunteer Coordinator

Karen has been with MTRA since the spring of 2012 and has done a spectacular job of rounding up and recruiting our volunteers. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she is a frequent face at community events as a great representative of MTRA. Karen was born and raised in Miami, Florida and is the proud Mom of three fantastic kids, ages 32, 27 and 24. She moved to Ocala from West Palm Beach, where she volunteered at a therapeutic riding center for four years. She has been involved with special Olympics and was on the board of directors for Paws4liberty, a nonprofit group that trains dogs to assist those with special needs. She had the pleasure of raising a German Shepard that was donated to a young girl in a wheelchair. Her hobbies and interests include, cooking, volunteering, working with kids and horses. Karen says, "Working at MTRA has been a dream come true for me!"

Gail Dufresne, Barn Manager

Gail joined Team MTRA in May of 2012 and is a vital member of our team. She not only manages our valuable stable of equine miracle workers, but she is also working on her PATH certification and is teaching both disabled and able bodied lessons.

Gail comes to us with over 40 years of experience with horses and has worked at various riding facilities, including the management of her own farm. She has been an instructor for lower level dressage, hunters and jumpers, and has worked with beginner through intermediate riders of all ages and abilities, as well as students with physical and mental learning challenges and at risk children. Her equine endeavors have included being an Extreme Trail Challenge participant as well as a polo player and groom! She also enjoys applying natural horsemanship to her daily activities. Most recently, Gail has been a property manager for a multi-million dollar estate for the last 15 years.

Nancy Moore, Administrative Assistant

Nancy is the gal in charge when it comes to all things administrative in the very busy MTRA office! Nancy and her husband moved to Florida seven years ago from Columbus, Ohio. Before her retirement in 2011, she worked for E-One, the fire truck manufacturer, in Ocala, Florida. Prior to volunteering as an administrative assistant in the MTRA office, she also volunteered as a leader/sider walker for MTRA. Nancy loves horses and enjoys working with all the wonderful people she has met at MTRA. As a recent retiree, Nancy enjoys aerobic classes, synchronized swimming, mah jongg, trivia, and many other activities at Del Webb Spruce Creek retirement community where she lives. She also volunteers as a reading tutor in Belleview Santos Elementary.