Willow Pond’s Founders:

Sharon North-Pohl

Sharon North–Pohl has worked rescuing, rehabilitating, and training horses for the past 20 years. Sharon is an EAGALA II certified equine guided educator and has worked with companies such as Apple, Above the Line, Youth Services, the County of Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz Therapist's Association. Sharon is one of Northern California's pioneers of equine facilitated experiential learning and therapy (EFELT). Sharon comes from an extensive career in sales and marketing working for 30 years selling business solutions to fortune 500 companies throughout Northern California. Sharon is also an accomplished dressage rider, riding and showing Leandro, her Dutch Warmblood gelding.

 

Tom North, Advisor

Tom North spent his early career in several Silicon Valley semiconductor companies in the roles of Marketing, Sales and Chief Executive, before moving to Santa Cruz ten years ago. Here, his primary interests and pursuits have been Willow Pond Ranch and Doctor Wireless. Doctor Wireless provides wireless Internet access and printer capability at hospitality locations like hotels and motels. The company is rolling out a new web service to provide guests with the most sought after local information. With Santa Cruz SCORE, he is both the webmaster and a superb business counselor. Additionally, Tom serves as a mediator for the Santa Cruz County Small Claims Court. One of Tom’s key interests lies in assisting non-profits in their efforts to better market themselves and work through other business issues.

 

Willow Pond’s Current Board of Directors, Advisors and Consultants 

Melissa Berrenge

Melissa Berrenge is a Forensic Psychologist and formerly the Director of Family Court Services, Santa Cruz County. She also was the commissioner on Santa Cruz County Domestic Violence Commission. Melissa now owns and runs a private practice and works with families and children in therapy and specializes in domestic conflicts and reunification. EAGALA certified Psychologist and Equine Specialist, Melissa has ridden and loved horses for her entire life, and owns a equine facility near Santa Cruz California.

 

Karen Calcagno

Karen Calcagno is a dynamic, experienced entrepreneur who has bought, operated, and profitably sold a number of businesses in diverse fields. These include automotive services, gas and oil sales, a car wash, an auto dealership, an art gallery, commercial real estate, property management, as well as family business coaching, facilitation, and training. She founded and served as Executive Director of the Santa Cruz chapter of SCORE. Karen also served as a President of the Soroptimist organization, a Board Member of Broadway on the Bay, a Board member of the 41st Avenue Association, and a Board consultant at The Aptos Academy. Karen is an expert on business issues, with special interests in realistic planning, in developing successful teams, and providing outstanding customer service.

 

Mickey Digiacomo

Mickey worked at Sierra Boys Home in Placerville as their clinical director for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy from 1999 to 2006. She was responsible for the development and management of that department, as well as working with individuals and groups of children and adolescents. Mickey took the position of Program Director for EAGALA in 2006. Mickey is an international trainer for EALGLA, develops their programs, and is in charge of their mentoring program. Mickey is the EAGALA mentor to Sharon North-Pohl. Mickey had a career as a professional jockey prior to her clinical work, and was one of the first women Jockeys to have success at the major race tracks in the U.S.

 

Rob Fish

Rob Fish, Ph.D. is an experienced consultant to organizations in the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. He co-founded one of the world’s most successful career and organizational consulting firms, Right Management Consultants, Inc. Previously; he founded a firm that provided airlines with software for schedule optimization and other management functions. He co-founded the well-regarded Aptos Academy, where he is Chairman of the Board. Rob offers clients high quality interaction and sound, practical recommendations. Rob has special interests in situations involving organizational and marketing strategy, facilitation, team-building, conflict resolution, and individual coaching.

 

Marcia Hayes

Marcia Hayes’ career focus has been the financial services industry. For over 30 years, she worked for major US and global organizations: Wells Fargo, Salomon Brothers (now Citibank) and Barclays Global Investors (the institutional investment management arm of Barclays PLC). At Wells Fargo Bank, Marcia managed fixed income portfolios and oversaw the creation of their first money market fund in 1979. As a Managing Director for WFNIA and Barclays Global Investors (known as BGI via the 1996 sale of WFNIA to Barclays PLC) Marcia played a senior role in the management of their client service and business development activities in the US. Between 2001 and 2006, Marcia was responsible for the development and management of an entirely new business relationship enterprise at BGI which was focused on the global strategic relationship management of the firm’s key investment business relationships. Marcia is an avid horse woman, is now retired and sits on the board for Willow Pond Farm.

 

Dr. Beverley Kane

Dr Kane Received her degree from University of California San Francisco worked in private practice of Sports Medicine in San Francisco, where she was the Medical Director of the San Francisco Marathon; in multiple risk factor intervention research at the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention; as the physician at Apple Computer for nearly 10 years; and as a medical informaticist specializing in electronic medical records and doctor-patient communication, for which she wrote the guidelines now used by the American Medical Association and numerous medical specialty societies. Dr. Kane has conducted workshops in human potentials, stress management, dream work, and equine experiential learning at Esalen, Apple, Lockheed, the San Damiano Franciscan retreat, EquuSatori Center, Costanoa, and other venues. DR. Kane is EAGALA Certified. Beverley and Sharon North–Pohl have facilitated groups of Stanford Medical students in Medicine and Horses program, and work with corporate clients in Equine Assisted Team Building trainings. Beverley loves her horse, and rides endurance (competitive trail riding) every chance she gets.

 

Noel Murphy

Noel Murphy Seminars was founded in 1993 and has been facilitating inspiring trainings ranging from conservative, all the way to very creative, ever since. Offerings include seminars, consulting, executive performance coaching, custom training, and media and P.R. development. Noel has worked to bring excellence to 100’s of companies, among them are: Santa Cruz SPCA, Monterey Department of Social Services, Health and Human Services Academy, Alisal High School, Salinas Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Association, Santa Cruz Police Department, Hewlett Packard, Foster & Kinship Program, College of the Sequoias, Janus Recovery of Santa Cruz, The Camp Recovery Center, Exchange Society, St. Francis Recovery Center. Noel is an advisor to the National Exchange Club, a service organization whose mission is to help end child abuse

 

Jenny Silber-Butah

Jenny Silber Butah, Licensed Marriage Family and Child Therapist. EAGALA level II certified Therapist and Equine Specialist. BA, Social Science, San Francisco State University

MA, Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco, 1987

Certified Family Wellness Instructor, Certified Acupressure/Massage Practitioner, Standard Elementary Teaching Credential (Life), 1969

Private Therapy Practice: Family/ couple/individual therapy including: mood disorders; substance abuse/recovery; childhood abuse; grief/loss; issues of divorce; couple communication; parent-child relationships (including parenting the disabled child);  play therapy; step-family issues;  living w/ chronic illness. Since January, 2002, has also utilized Equine Assisted Psychotherapy as an adjunct to traditional psychotherapy (with individuals, couples, families, groups).

 

Mika Younce

Mika Younce has 25 years experience in owning, operating and producing Film, Video and Special events for fortune 500 companies, such as ATT, CBS, Merck Pharmaceuticals. Mika is also a professional photographer. Mika has managed special events and fundraising for Hospice of Santa Clara, and Peninsula Stroke Association in Santa Clara County.

 Alla Zeller-Fitch

Alla Zeltser-Fitch received her BS in Human Resource Management and her MBA from San Jose State University (SJSU). She has over eight years experience in non-profit fundraising and special event coordination. Alla specializes in all aspects of non-profit fundraising including community campaigns, special events, Board development and strategic planning. Alla has raised $2.46 million in special event fundraisers and has managed over $3.5 million in fundraising campaigns. She loves her work and finds great satisfaction in bringing people together for a common cause. Some of the local organizations that have appreciated her talents include: The Red Cross, Santa Cruz County, The Parkinson’s Institute,

March of Dimes - Santa Clara, Big Brothers - Big Sisters, The Role Model Program, TransAccess

Doran Center for the Blind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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