Shery McDonald-Galbreath - Founder and President
Shery McDonald-Galbreath, a native of Colorado, has always embraced the Western way of life. A 'cowgirl' by nature, she grew up with a love of horses and a love for the community she calls home. As the founder and president of the SaddleUp! Foundation Shery is accomplishing a childhood dream of creating an opportunity for others to experience the joys of horsemanship.
Jennifer Daurio- Board of Directors
Jennifer (Olinger) Daurio is a 2005 magna cum laude graduate from Colorado State University with bachelor degrees in both Agricultural Business and Equine Science. While attending CSU, she participated on the Collegiate Equestrian Team and was the Publicity Officer for the 2004-2005 season. During her undergraduate career, Daurio served as an intern for the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (NWSS) for three years. Her experiences included media relations, event planning, and executive administration, which culminated into Daurio acting as the sponsorship and education manager for the 2005 event. Daurio’s experience with the NWSS furthered her passions for the Western Lifestyle, event planning and public relations. Daurio spent her summers, during college, as a horseback riding camp instructor (both English and Western disciplines), where she fell in love with being around both children and horses.
Robin Briscuso, CNT - Board of Directors
Originally from the east coast Robin studied at the University of Colorado and has remained out west ever since. She is the Managing Director for Synergy Group and Make a Hero.org in Boulder, CO. Robin has over 20 years of experience marketing in the for-profit world and with non-profit organizations including Heal the Bay, Santa Monica, CA, The Children’s Hospital Foundation, Denver, CO and the US Adaptive Ski Team. She especially enjoys sharing the joy and benefits of the outdoors and sports with individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Tara King - Board of Directors
Tara King is a native Coloradan and truly appreciates all that the Denver Metro and surrounding areas have to offer. Tara has long been a supporter of many non-profit organizations including Arapahoe House,DCPA,Teen with a Dream Foundation, FASB Fitness Festival and the Colorado Neurological Institute. Tara is currently serving as Secretary of the BOD of the SaddleUp! Foundation and was the 2011-2012 Auction Chair for the SaddleUp! and Pack Your Bags Suitcase Party. She currently holds the position of a National Recruiter while continuing her lengthy career in Real Estate and as a small business owner.
Patrick Laughlin- Board of Directors
“Born in Buenos Aries, Argentina. Father to two boys Sean 18 and Casey 15. Married to Agnieszka Bek. Attended Culver Military Academy where Pat first started riding horses. Pat was captain of the open jumping team as well as the rough riding team. Pat was in charge of a stable of a188 horses. Pat went to the University of Texas were he graduated with a degree in Geology. Pat worked in offshore drilling industry until 1990. He then changed careers and started flying professionally. Pat flew in a Alaska for 3 years until being hired by Southwest Airlines were he became a captain and worked for ten years. In 2002 Pat became one of the principle investors in Crocs shoe company. Pat retired from flying in 2006 and now focuses his time in real estate development and nonprofit ventures.”
Jeanne Posthumus- Board of Directors
Jeanne is advocate for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Jeanne’s passion for improving the lives of our most vulnerable citizens was born out of her own personal experience. In March of 2005, Jeanne and her husband, John Posthumus, welcomed their first child, Olivia Rose, into their lives. At 5 months of age, Olivia was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, one that has caused Olivia severe medical complications and developmental delays.
Connor Morganti- Board of Directors
Connor Catherine Morganti hails from Memphis, Tennessee and has been in the financial industry for over 20 years. She was graduated from the University of Memphis, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was also an active member of Phi Mu Fraternity. She currently holds her Colorado Life/Health licenses, as well as, her FINRA Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 licenses.
Beth Bowlen-Wallace - Board of Directors
Beth Bowlen-Wallace is currently the Director of Special Projects for The Denver Broncos. She is responsible for all special projects including ownership representation, media relations, human resource consultation, charitable foundations, and all other non-football related matters. Prior to Beth’s current career, she was the owner of Social Butterfly, LLC, an event planning and management firm located in Honolulu, HA. Additionally, while in Honolulu, Beth worked for Team Unlimited, LLC, assisting in the creation and operation of the first ever XTERRA mountain bike and triathlon event, which has now grown to an international event. From 1998-2000, Beth worked for Nike, Inc., performing marketing and event planning services for the Denver metro area. Beth received a BS in Sociology from the University of Colorado and attended law school at the University of Denver.
Sue Shaffer - Board of Directors
Sue was born in Ohio and also completed her nurses training in Ohio. She retired 10 years ago, after completing a 20-year career in surgical nursing. The highlight of her career was the start up and management of freestanding surgery centers.
Retiring has been an amazing experience for Sue. It has given her the opportunity and privilege to support numerous non-profits, both from a board position to chairing events and fundraising. These include The Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Kidney Foundation, Clothes to Kids, Colorado Horse Rescue, Ballet Nouveau, and is now a Trustee Board member for ACE. Sue is an advocate for obesity in kids. One of her major accomplishments was leading a group of women to write a lifestyle change cookbook for obese kids. All of the proceeds from that endeavor went to the Children’s Hospital Obesity Division.
James Bossert - Board of Directors
James Bossert is the current Senior Vice President, Sales Development, for Jackson National Life Distributors. Prior to working at Jackson National, James was with MetLife Investors, serving initially as the Deputy Corporate Controller, then as the Vice President of Operations and Strategies, and finally the Chief Financial Officer.
Mike Petko - Board of Directors
Mike has been in the financial services industry for nearly 20 years. He is a goal oriented Senior Executive experienced in leading transformational Sales and Marketing strategies. He is a decisive leader recognized for exceptional achievement, sound business judgment, and the ability to create trust. He has a track record of success in balancing strategic direction and effective execution while maintaining the highest degree of professional integrity and personal excellence.
James H. Galbreath, CFA - Special Advisor to the Board
Prior to joining NWQ Investment Management Company in 1987, Galbreath spent five years in venture capital investing for private individuals and companies. Previous to this, he was a partner and portfolio manager with the investment management firm of Stephenson and Company in Denver for nine years.
Galbreath received his B.S./B.A. in finance and economics from the university of Denver in 1969. He earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst in 1979 and is a member of the Association for Investment and Research. He served on the Board of Governors of the Money Management Institute for 4 years. He studied economics at the University of Stockholm in 1966, and worked with Daiwa Bank in Osaka, Japan, following his graduation. Galbreath has served as a special advisor for investments with the long-term Credit Bank of Japan (1984-87).
Read more: James H. Galbreath, CFA - Special Advisor to the Board
Advisory Board
Frances Owens, Former Lady of Colorado
Wendy Aro
Beverly Dickenson
Sue and Paul Goss
Linda Goto
Georgia and Walt Imhoff
Jill and Larry DiPasquale
Shelly Niemann
Gail and George Johnson
David Alexander
Sharon Magness-Blake
Angela Baier
Paula Newberry-Arnold
Lee Keeler