Greg Beach
President
I received a Bachelors degree in Mineral Economics from The Pennsylvania State University and was commissioned in the U.S. Army immediately upon graduation. I am a decorated combat veteran who served with distinction for 20 years in heavy and light units at every level to include Battalion Command. I am both Master Parachutist and Ranger qualified. After retirement from active duty, I spent another 20 years developing a diverse business background that includes positions in strategic planning, business development and business operations. I earned my Masters degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and am a Covey Trained Facilitator (7 Habits of Highly Successful People and Principled Centered Leadership). Just to stay busy, I serve as an independent consultant.
As the eldest son of a career soldier and veteran myself, I retain a strong desire to continue to serve in areas where contribution is impactful and fulfilling. Bridle Paths provides a safe, non-judgmental environment and a compassionate staff with unique skills and clinical expertise and a deep desire to serve suffering/disassociated people of all ages and backgrounds to including veterans and their families. Bridle Paths’ mission is a perfect fit for my passion and purpose.
Beth Ratchford
Vice-President
I’m a therapist in private practice in Leesburg and am a certified mental health professional through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). I’m also the founder of True Self Journey, a community dedicated to supporting folks on their journey of healing from childhood trauma.
I came to Bridle Paths in 2015 because I was looking for an equine-assisted psychotherapy option for my clients. I quickly figured out that there was something unique happening at Bridle Paths and knew I wanted to be a part of it. My work with clients at Bridle Paths has had a deep impact on their healing and recovery. And it has done the same for me. I’m honored to get to be a part of the unfolding story of Bridle Paths.
Outside of work I enjoy all things barn related, including scooping poop! I love going on adventures with my rescue pup, Maisie.
Kristin Hoffman
Treasurer
As a lifelong equestrian and horse owner, I understand the connections between horses and people. Horses can see into your heart.
I’ve followed Katie Fallon’s journey with Bridle Paths from its beginning, so when the opportunity to join the Board arose, I jumped on it. I’ve spent my career in program management working for technology and finance organizations. My goal as Treasurer is to leverage my professional experience to help grow and strengthen Bridle Paths’ programs.
My husband and I live in Northern Virginia where we raised our two sons. Bridle Paths’ service to veterans is close to our hearts. My husband retired from the military in 2001 and my oldest son, a graduate of West Point, is currently a helicopter pilot in the US Army. My youngest son, a student at Virginia Tech, is studying to become an equine veterinarian.
I earned my undergraduate BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania and my MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. I have worked for Common Securitization Solutions, Fannie Mae, Verizon, MCI, XO Communications, and GTE.
MaryAnne Shvodian
Secretary
I am a 30-year performance marketing executive entering a new chapter of life with a focus on missions close to my heart. I have loved and ridden horses since I was a teen. They lift my spirits and bring me joy. When Katie Fallon introduced me to her work at Bridle Paths, I saw firsthand the transformations people experienced there and knew I wanted to help. I started volunteering when my heart horse became part of Katie’s healing herd with his gentle, accepting ways. I am now excited to be a member of the Board to help support its purpose more broadly.
I spent most of my career in direct response marketing, developing and selling products through digital, television, direct mail, and print. I started in Finance and transitioned to marketing, drawn by the balance of creative with analytics. I received a BA in Finance & Economics from Mount Saint Mary’s University, where I was then awarded a graduate assistantship and completed my MBA.
I live in McLean, Virginia with my husband, two daughters, dog, cat, gecko, and many fish. I enjoy horses, hiking, fostering rescue animals, and spending time with my large, supportive family.
Abby Just
Katie and I met because we boarded our horses at the same barn for a number of years and became friends riding together. Bridle Paths drew me as an organization because they serve the entire family, not just the service member. After multiple deployments, I can attest that they affect the entire family, not just the family member deployed and many services are offered only to the veteran. I found myself asking Katie for advice for handling the difficulties of post-deployment family life and wished that more military families knew about Bridle Paths. When the opportunity to join the board arose, I jumped at it in the hopes that I could help Bridle Paths the way Katie had helped me and my family.
I have worked in the private wealth management industry since 2003, and for the past six years have been a portfolio manager with West Financial Services. I have an MBA from Virginia Tech and a BA in Economics from William & Mary. I live in Great Falls with my husband, Mitch, who is a consultant and retired Army Major, two children, Finn the dog, and two cats. I have been an avid equestrian my entire life and own a Hanoverian mare named Waitara, who I am training for a career in dressage. I also enjoy gardening, Pilates, and barre.
Ruth Boyer O’Dea
I have known Katie since our undergraduate years at Georgetown University. It was Katie who invited me to volunteer with a therapeutic riding program in Great Falls many years ago. I remember my time with the clients and horses as highlights of my time volunteering with the program. Now with Bridle Paths, I am proud to serve as a member of the board of the program Katie has founded. I feel strongly about the program’s mission and the population it serves.
In my professional life, I am a Senior Vice President and Director of Professional Development and Operations with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. I lead my own highly successful real estate team and am an integral member of the TTR Sotheby’s leadership team. I am passionate about nurturing others, using my energies to share real estate knowledge and strategies. I am also an executive leadership coach, seeking to help others unlock their possibilities. It is here that I see the alignment with Bridle Paths – as it does the same for the population it serves.
Dan Carusi
I am a Leadership Development, Business & Sales transformation professional, and an Experiential Performance Learning Consultant, who helps people, leaders, and teams improve performance both in and out of the workplace. Currently, I am the CEO & Co-Founder of Red Paint Consulting and I have a Level One certification in Equine Facilitated Learning from the HERD Institute and partner with horses to develop stronger leaders and teams.
I have been fortunate to experience first-hand the positive impact horses have with helping and growing people from teaching corporate executives to be better leaders, to assisting those living with mental health challenges, and by supporting our Veterans and Wounded Warriors. I am proud to be a Board member of Bridle Paths and to be able to support the wonderful mission and the people it serves.
I graduated from Moravian College with a BA and recently served as the President of the Moravian University Business Advisory Council. My home is in Round Hill, Virginia on our horse farm with my wife, two children, two dogs, five horses, and one cat, along with numerous critters and wildlife. When I have downtime, you can find me mountaineering, climbing a rock face, or trail riding with my Quarter horse Jake.
Julie Griffith
I came to Bridle Paths as an adaptive riding client fighting the effects of arthritis and a sedentary job. Katie Fallon did a superb job of restoring my balance, muscle tone and optimistic world view. I was very impressed by the work that Katie does with her clients, forging connections with the horses, fostering growth and change, and helping people to heal from injury, trauma and other challenges.
I’m very excited about Bridle Paths’ potential to continue this work and build for the future. My contribution to the board is thirty years of experience as a corporate lawyer, including over twenty-five years as a Staff Attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission, several years as an associate with Cravath, Swaine and Moore, and several years as an Adjunct Professor of Law with Georgetown University Law Center. I have been a member of several non-profit boards, and I was an active Girl Scout Leader for more than twenty years. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge (Newnham), and a J.D. from NYU.
Brian Horan
I learned about Bridle Paths years after moving to the DC area and am inspired by the mission and the help it provides. Having helped individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and associations by providing investment management, consulting, and financial planning services for the last 30 years, I am honored to be able to now also help Bridle Paths grow so that we can improve the lives of more people through Equine Assisted Services.
I earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from Providence College. I later received my Masters from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in addition to completing the Wealth Management Theory and Practice program at the Yale School of Management. I hold a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional designation and have been recognized by Five Star Professional as a Five Star Wealth Manager.
My wife, three children, two dogs and I live in Washington, DC and I enjoy following my favorite New England sports teams from afar, playing golf, and watching the kids play on various CYO and WCAC teams when not working or volunteering.
