Board of Directors
Our board members bring valuable leadership, insight, and commitment to NCEFT, playing a key role in shaping and supporting our work. We are grateful for their dedication and the countless ways they contribute to our mission.
Board Chair
On the NCEFT board for 25 years, Casey is a retired Chiropractor and avid horseman who holds the distinction of not only being an NCEFT Board member but also a patient as well.
Board Co-Vice Chair
Andrea was a co-founder and Board member of Riley’s Place and became a member of the NCEFT Board in 2015. In that time she has volunteered in several capacities, including walking horses, supporting summer camps, along with board and community engagement. Andrea is committed to promoting childhood cancer awareness in memory of her daughter, Riley.
Board Co-Vice Chair
Andrea Dehner has been associated with NCEFT since 2007 when her daughter became a client. Over the years her other children have been involved with NCEFT as well through Happy Trails Camp and volunteering. Andrea joined the board in August of 2019.
Board Secretary
After a career in HR at Stanford, Anne became an NCEFT volunteer in 2013 and joined the Board in 2017. Anne also serves on the Woodside Trails Committee, the Equestrian Heritage and Livestock Committee and the Woodside-area Horse Owners Association.
Board Treasurer
Bruce, a former Silicon Valley finance executive, has served as Treasurer on the NCEFT Board of Directors since 2014. Bruce has been active on a number of local non-profit agency boards and as a community volunteer.
Sherri is an animal lover and health care advocate. She has a strong background in leadership, fundraising with local non-profits, sales management, and currently works at Lumen Technologies. Sherri lives in Los Altos with her husband, and joined NCEFT’s board in 2025.
Donna is a retired RN who passionately served San Mateo County for over 25 years at County General Hospital. She also served on the Caminar board for over 6 years. She joined NCEFT’s Board of Directors in 2021.
Katie has been active in the real estate/escrow & title industry since 1986. She is currently a Senior Escrow Officer/Branch Manager with extensive knowledge specializing in residential and commercial properties with unwavering commitment to her clients. She is a San Mateo County native with deep roots to her community. Katie has been a longtime supporter of NCEFT with personal knowledge of the benefits equine-assisted programs.
Nancy joined NCEFT as Executive Director in January 2019 and holds BS degrees in Psychology and Criminology from UC Berkeley and a MS in Social Work from the University of Washington. Before joining NCEFT, Nancy spent 30 years at Stanford Children’s Hospital where she developed key programs such as Clinical Social Work, Interpreting, Housing, Chaplaincy, and the Family Guidance and Bereavement Program. For most of her tenure, she held leadership roles while also maintaining direct clinical work.
Retired VP, Chief Compliance Officer, Adobe. Cheryl joined NCEFT’s Board of Directors in June, 2021. She joined Adobe in 1998 as their first Corporate Securities Counsel, and since joining, at various times she has led Adobe’s Legal support for HR, Privacy, Anti-Piracy, Procurement, IT, Real Estate, Facilities, Corporate Subsidiaries, and Compliance. Since 2013, she has served as Adobe’s Chief Compliance Officer.
Nicola, an attorney practicing at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, was introduced to NCEFT when her husband became a patient in 2008. She joined the Board in 2015 and is particularly interested in supporting veterans’ issues.
Susan has been the CFO of Harvard Investment since 2004. Her previous passion was in the cruise industry as well as starting her own airline, Pacific Express. Susan has served on the NCEFT Board twice before and was on the Advisory Council for many years.
Gari, a former retail and manufacturing executive with operations and logistics experience, joined NCEFT in 2007, serving as a Horse Handler, Barn Manager, and Director of Operations. He was named NCEFT Executive Director in 2008, serving tirelessly for over 10 years. He retired in January 2019, but remains on the Board.
Scott is a Sr. Director of Contracts & Compliance in the Silicon Valley and has been a volunteer at NCEFT since 2014. As an active equestrian, he represented Team USA as a Vaulting Groom at two different World Equestrian Games.
Jenny, a Stanford graduate with a B.A. in Journalism and an avid equestrian, has been active in Silicon Valley business consulting and entrepreneurship since 1980. Jenny served on the Board from 2004 to 2013 and re-joined in 2017.
Oona leads global growth and partnerships at Cprime, an IT consulting firm, where she works with leading technology organizations to advance strategic initiatives. She first joined NCEFT in 2013 as the therapeutic riding instructor and horse handler and joined our Board of Directors in 2025. Oona brings over a decade of experience in equine-assisted therapy, business development, and nonprofit leadership. She also serves on the board of the Aphasia Center of California and holds a B.A. in Disability Studies from Middlebury College.
Board Members, in Memoriam
