Meet the people who make Wonder Wood Ranch a place of hope and healing!
Our Board and our Staff!
The Wonder Wood Ranch Board of Directors is an amazing group of dedicated, kind, inventive, fun, loving, visionaries who love serving others with horses, farm animals, and all the other activities here at the Ranch. Our board members are not just figureheads, but people who give their time, energy, and passion to bring Hope on Hooves to the kids in our community who need it most.
And our staff are just as wonder-full! Come meet our animal care specialist, our professional horse trainer, our program instructor, and more!
Our Board and our Staff!
The Wonder Wood Ranch Board of Directors is an amazing group of dedicated, kind, inventive, fun, loving, visionaries who love serving others with horses, farm animals, and all the other activities here at the Ranch. Our board members are not just figureheads, but people who give their time, energy, and passion to bring Hope on Hooves to the kids in our community who need it most.
And our staff are just as wonder-full! Come meet our animal care specialist, our professional horse trainer, our program instructor, and more!
MEET OUR DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE STAFF
MARLO SCHALESKY
Executive Director
Marlo comes to us with over 30 years of equine experience. As a former
teacher, children’s minister, and mother of six, she has over 35 years’ experience
working extensively with children and youth. Besides her bachelor's degree (in
chemistry of all things!) from Stanford University, she has a master’s degree in
theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, which includes education in family
therapy. She has also taken additional professional courses in various types of
therapy applicable to children and youth and is certified in youth mental health
first aid. She's the author of numerous award-winning books and over 1,000
articles and has started a number of successful businesses, including Wonder
Wood Ranch. She is also a former board member of CASP (Community Alliance
of Safety and Peace) run by the City of Salinas and Harmony at Home. Marlo
was recently awarded the 2026 Safety & Peace Award from CASP (the
Community Alliance for Safety & Peace, a county-wide group made up of
elected officials, law enforcement, county and city agencies and other
nonprofits). She is also the pastor to the incarcerated from Salinas Valley
Community Church. Here Wonder Wood Ranch, Marlo focuses on running our
equine therapy programs for trauma-impacted youth, developing our outreach to youth in need, and networking with our local government agencies and nonprofits. Marlo’s passion is to see and facilitate the transformational work of animals and other ranch activities in the healing of those affected by trauma.
Executive Director
Marlo comes to us with over 30 years of equine experience. As a former
teacher, children’s minister, and mother of six, she has over 35 years’ experience
working extensively with children and youth. Besides her bachelor's degree (in
chemistry of all things!) from Stanford University, she has a master’s degree in
theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, which includes education in family
therapy. She has also taken additional professional courses in various types of
therapy applicable to children and youth and is certified in youth mental health
first aid. She's the author of numerous award-winning books and over 1,000
articles and has started a number of successful businesses, including Wonder
Wood Ranch. She is also a former board member of CASP (Community Alliance
of Safety and Peace) run by the City of Salinas and Harmony at Home. Marlo
was recently awarded the 2026 Safety & Peace Award from CASP (the
Community Alliance for Safety & Peace, a county-wide group made up of
elected officials, law enforcement, county and city agencies and other
nonprofits). She is also the pastor to the incarcerated from Salinas Valley
Community Church. Here Wonder Wood Ranch, Marlo focuses on running our
equine therapy programs for trauma-impacted youth, developing our outreach to youth in need, and networking with our local government agencies and nonprofits. Marlo’s passion is to see and facilitate the transformational work of animals and other ranch activities in the healing of those affected by trauma.
JENNIFER KEYES
Barn Manager/Program Coordinator
Jennifer has over 20 years of equine experience as a horse owner, rider, and horse care specialist at Palomar Christian Camps. You can see Jennifer around the Ranch most days helping youth to for the various animals and thinking of more effective ways to bring the hope and healing of horses to everyone at Wonder Wood Ranch. Her passion is to see Wonder Wood Ranch become all it can be in serving kids and families in our community with the wonder of horses.
Barn Manager/Program Coordinator
Jennifer has over 20 years of equine experience as a horse owner, rider, and horse care specialist at Palomar Christian Camps. You can see Jennifer around the Ranch most days helping youth to for the various animals and thinking of more effective ways to bring the hope and healing of horses to everyone at Wonder Wood Ranch. Her passion is to see Wonder Wood Ranch become all it can be in serving kids and families in our community with the wonder of horses.
BRIA SCHALESKY
Professional Horse Trainer
Bria comes to us with over 14 years of equine experience. She is an
animal science major at UC Davis, a Clinton Anderson No Worries
Club Premium Member, and a professional horse trainer with her
own company, Comet Training Co. Her horse-training story
was also featured in the No Worries Journal, an internationally
acclaimed horse training magazine. Bria brings her horse and
people training skills to Wonder Wood Ranch with training clinics
and consulting for our TAILS Training program. Specializing in
rescue and problem horses, Bria’s passion is to
bring out the best in both horses and people!
Professional Horse Trainer
Bria comes to us with over 14 years of equine experience. She is an
animal science major at UC Davis, a Clinton Anderson No Worries
Club Premium Member, and a professional horse trainer with her
own company, Comet Training Co. Her horse-training story
was also featured in the No Worries Journal, an internationally
acclaimed horse training magazine. Bria brings her horse and
people training skills to Wonder Wood Ranch with training clinics
and consulting for our TAILS Training program. Specializing in
rescue and problem horses, Bria’s passion is to
bring out the best in both horses and people!
JOHN CARLOS PEGUERO
TAILS Program Leader
John is a graduate of our TAILS Training & Aftercare Program and is now a leader in the program, teaching younger youth the basics of horse training and horsemanship. Formerly incarcerated as a juvenile, John joined our program immediately upon his release from the Youth Center. Since then, as one of our TAILS youth, John has successfully completed and been released from probation and also has established himself as a positive contributor to his community. His contributions not only include here at the ranch, but he has also become a trusted help to families through paid positions of providing respite care for children and young adults with special needs.
What started as a chance to find peace with horses after incarceration has turned into a journey of growth, purpose, and healing for John. TAILS has given him a safe place to learn, to lead, and to believe in a brighter future.
MEET OUR ENGAGED and SUPPORTIVE BOARD
Michele M. O'Brien, LCSW, Board Chair/President
Family Services/Child Protective Services Social Worker,
Michele is a retired social worker who has resided in the Monterey County community for over thirty-five years. Her professional work has encompassed work with children, adults and families, both as a Family Services/Child Protective Services social worker and as a licensed mental health professional. Throughout her professional career, the majority of her work was with at risk children and families. She is very familiar with the impact of trauma on youth and families, and worked directly with impacted families to provide intervention, support, education and community-based treatment resources as needed.
Her love of working with children and young people has also led her to participate in several non-profit organizations, including Salinas PAL, Mujeres Adelante Inc and Habitat for Humanity, and to serve on their boards. She clearly recognizes and supports the healing role of human/animal bonds, and is excited to be a part of the board for Wonder Wood Ranch and supporting the therapeutic work being done between horses and the at-risk youth in our community. At home, she is the human guardian of a silly three-legged dog and a sweet, goofy cat, who keep her balanced and provide her with love and joy on a daily basis.
Family Services/Child Protective Services Social Worker,
Michele is a retired social worker who has resided in the Monterey County community for over thirty-five years. Her professional work has encompassed work with children, adults and families, both as a Family Services/Child Protective Services social worker and as a licensed mental health professional. Throughout her professional career, the majority of her work was with at risk children and families. She is very familiar with the impact of trauma on youth and families, and worked directly with impacted families to provide intervention, support, education and community-based treatment resources as needed.
Her love of working with children and young people has also led her to participate in several non-profit organizations, including Salinas PAL, Mujeres Adelante Inc and Habitat for Humanity, and to serve on their boards. She clearly recognizes and supports the healing role of human/animal bonds, and is excited to be a part of the board for Wonder Wood Ranch and supporting the therapeutic work being done between horses and the at-risk youth in our community. At home, she is the human guardian of a silly three-legged dog and a sweet, goofy cat, who keep her balanced and provide her with love and joy on a daily basis.
Rick Pate, Secretary
Retired from PG&E, Retired Pastor, Spiritual Director, Prison/Jail Ministry
After his military service and long-time work at PG&E, Rick volunteered as the care pastor at Salinas Valley Community Church where, among other duties, he visited and wrote to men in jail. Rick also brings to the board his passion for helping youth and those affected by trauma. He is also a leader and spiritual director through Monterey County and the Bay Area.
Retired from PG&E, Retired Pastor, Spiritual Director, Prison/Jail Ministry
After his military service and long-time work at PG&E, Rick volunteered as the care pastor at Salinas Valley Community Church where, among other duties, he visited and wrote to men in jail. Rick also brings to the board his passion for helping youth and those affected by trauma. He is also a leader and spiritual director through Monterey County and the Bay Area.
Rigoberto Hernandez
Interpreter (tri-lingual) and indigenous peoples advocate (South County)
Rigoberto Hernandez is a dedicated advocate for indigenous communities, particularly in South Monterey County. His trilingual abilities (English, Spanish, and Triqui) allows him to connect with youth with indigenous and non indigenous backgrounds . His experience in the justice system and focus on youth highlights his commitment to providing essential support to indigenous populations, especially in areas where language barriers and cultural understanding are crucial.
Interpreter (tri-lingual) and indigenous peoples advocate (South County)
Rigoberto Hernandez is a dedicated advocate for indigenous communities, particularly in South Monterey County. His trilingual abilities (English, Spanish, and Triqui) allows him to connect with youth with indigenous and non indigenous backgrounds . His experience in the justice system and focus on youth highlights his commitment to providing essential support to indigenous populations, especially in areas where language barriers and cultural understanding are crucial.
Anthony Santacruz
Youth Representative
Anthony has been around horses all his life. He started volunteering at Wonder Wood Ranch from its opening in 2016 and remains an enthusiastic and consistent believer in the Ranch’s work with kids in our community. Anthony is a student at El Puente High School, on the tech team for Salinas Valley Community Church’s youth group, and an integral part of helping kids with trauma feel welcome and supported at Wonder Wood Ranch. Anthony’s passion is to extend the healing power of the Ranch to other kids, like him, who need it.
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Barbara DeGroot
Local Businesswoman and Animal Expert Barbara has lived on the peninsula from age 3 1/2. She began working with animals at about 7 years old and has never stopped. From dogs and wolves, horses and alpacas, to a grizzly bear! Life has never been dull for Barbara She was awarded trainer of the year at Westminster Dog Show and was inducted to the International Hall of Fame (IACP) Her work training animal trainers and expanding her knowledge of animal behavior has taken her around the world: Thailand, India, New Zealand, Australia, Venezuela, Germany, Mallorca and many others. |
Daisy Hernandez, Treasurer
Non-Profit and Justice Involved Youth Expert (South County)
With extensive experience with nonprofits throughout Monterey County, Daisy brings to the board not only a passion for trauma-impacted youth but also expertise with justice-involved youth and the impact of the system on children. As a south county resident, she also brings her knowledge of the needs of those residing in the cities south of Salinas.
Members of the Wonder Wood Ranch Advisory Board also include the following community leaders and supporters who lend their expertise to our work with trauma-impacted youth: Carol Cervantes (Nonprofit, Gang-Impacted, Community Outreach Expert), Stacey Wilson (Attorney, Former Bob Hoover Academy instructor), Jean Waddy (Business Professor, Central Coast College), Yolanda Cervantes (Community Leader), Chase Salsedo (CPA), Laura Overett (Medical Specialist and Horse Lover), Lesa Rubaclava (Nonprofit leader, Friday Night Live/Epicenter).