Meet Our Board

Meet the Board of Directors at Heaven’s Gait Ranch

Margaret Mary McClaren        Founder, President

IMG_0915 (2)From a young age, Margaret Mary learned the value of giving. Raised by a U.S. army veteran and a special education aide, she saw her parents devote their lives to causes much greater than themselves. As a result, Margaret Mary pursued a career in education after earning a BS & BA from Marquette University as an Evans Scholar. Over the years, she worked for both private & public schools, teaching students in rural areas while also tutoring young women from inner cities.

As a licensed, professional educator, Margaret Mary was introduced to individuals and families who benefited from equine-assisted activities and therapeutic riding, and because of their positive testimonials, she began volunteering at a nearby PATH Member Center. Margaret Mary immediately fell in love with the program, its horses, and their efforts—so much so that she decided to make a life change and professionally commit to the nonprofit sector.

She says, “It’s amazing how one experience can change the trajectory of your life. Volunteering at a therapeutic riding facility absolutely changed mine.” As an active, professional member of PATH International, she received her Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Fund Development from the University of Notre Dame, while earning her MBA through Aurora University. In 2016 she co-founded the nonprofit organization Heaven’s Gait Ranch, Inc. and then had it registered as a PATH Intl. Member Center. As the Executive Director of Heaven’s Gait Ranch, she is also a Certified PATH Intl. Riding Instructor. Needless to say, the therapeutic riding center has undoubtedly become her home away from home.

 

Brian McClaren        Founder, Treasurer, Director of Finance & Operations   

BKM photoBrian McClaren is the Director of Finance and Operations for Heaven’s Gait Ranch. He is also a founding partner of The H. Knox Development Company and the owner of Ronin Property Management, where he oversees the management of various commercial real estate projects in Wisconsin and Florida. Prior to starting The H. Knox Development Company, Brian worked with Partnership Concepts Realty Management as an Asset Manager and at Colliers International as a commercial real estate broker. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brian pursued various commercial ventures, overseeing their financing, construction, and development as a shareholder. While earning his MBA from Marquette University, he founded Heaven’s Gait Ranch, Inc. and has served as their Director of Finance & Operations since 2016.

 

Heaven’s Gait Ranch has been more than a life-changing pursuit for Brian. “It has been eye opening and incredibly rewarding,” he says. As a former member of PATH International, Brian worked diligently with other therapeutic riding facilities to get Heaven’s Gait Ranch off the ground, and today he plays an integral role in its stewardship and strategic planning. Through his experience, he has gained invaluable exposure to the industry, and he states, “I’m so excited to share what we have learned and what we have been able to build.” He is very proud to bring this long-held family aspiration to fruition.

 

 

Mark Zirngibl        Founder, Secretary, Veterans Liaison

IMG_0744After serving 20 years in the military, Mark is excited to give back to those who have already given so much. As a two-tour, combat infantryman in The Republic of South Vietnam, Mark most notably enjoyed serving as a Scout Dog Platoon Commander because of the special bond that evolved between his men and their animals. Years later, Mark still recalls how this bond enabled people to develop empathy.

He says, “You start to pick up on nonverbal cues that are often overlooked because we’re always in such a hurry. And these cues help us build meaningful relationships.” He argues, like dogs, horses are extremely intelligent and sensitive animals. “If you learn to respect each other, you can have a friend for life.”

Aside from commanding his dog unit, Mark also served as a Ranger Advisor to the South Vietnamese Rangers, Special Forces “A” Team Commander to the Royal Thai Airborne, and Battalion Intelligence Officer in Berlin during the Cold War. However, after four tours overseas, Mark entered the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a Command Administrative Assistant and later as an Army Reserve Operations Officer. Despite his desire to remain in the military, service-connected wounds and injuries prompted separation from the Reserve, and Mark entered the civilian world for the first time at age 43, 60% disabled.

With the support of his family and neighbors, Mark worked diligently to acclimate into mainstream society. He went back to school to earn a M.S. degree in Health Services Administration and worked at the Walworth County Counseling Center, as well as the State of Wisconsin’s Job Service. Later, he finished his teaching certificate in broadfield social studies to teach at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. Now, as a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Mark is also a proud member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Americal Division Veterans Association, PATH International, and Heaven’s Gait Ranch.

Elizabeth Munao        Social Chair

Lisa on Cherry pic for BOD website pgBringing with her a long history of equestrian experience, Elizabeth Munao joined the Board of Directors at HGR in Spring 2017. She has shown American Saddlebreds competitively for over 20 years, with successes that include one World Grand Championship title, two World Championship titles, and multiple National and Regional Championship titles. Elizabeth was also a two-time member of the United States Equestrian Team and won gold and silver medals at international competitions in South Africa. Elizabeth continues to show horses competitively on a regional circuit.

She says, “Horses have been an integral part of my life for decades. Being with horses is so much more than a hobby and riding horses is not just about competing. Horses have such kind and gentle spirits, such grace, that their presence has the ability to evoke joy in others. They have strengthened me, both body and soul.”

After graduating from Beloit College with bachelor of arts degrees in Secondary Education and English, she taught multiple content areas, including special education, for four years before God called her into academic ministry. Elizabeth earned her Master’s of Theological Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is now a Bible study teacher through her church.

As Brian’s sister, she knows intimately of their mother’s wish for her beloved farm to serve others, and she is grateful to be a part of such a magnificent program. Elizabeth is eager to bring her equestrian experience and passion for Christian service to Heaven’s Gait Ranch.

“I have seen timid people become confident. I have seen sadness replaced with joy. I have seen physical strength transformed, and I have witnessed the deepest connections between animal and human, all through the beauty of horses.”

Devlin Gray        Development Chair

Devlin1Before his first birthday, Devlin Gray began a journey that not only changed his life but also the lives of those around him.

Devlin was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive cancer in his blood cells that left his immune system particularly susceptible to infection. The first few years of his life were spent in and out of the hospital as he underwent two bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and radiation.

In remission since, Devlin has never let his rough start slow him down, going on to earn the Evans Scholarship to Marquette University. With an unwavering spirit and positive attitude, he’s also become an ambassador in the fight against childhood cancer. Devlin spear-headed the first “St. Baldrick’s Day” ever at Marquette, which has since raised over $150,000 for childhood cancer research.

He says, “I really believe in giving back to those that have helped you become the person you are today. I believe in paying it forward.”

We are blessed to have Devlin on board, as he enjoys creative fundraising campaigns, and spreading the word about the mission of Heaven’s Gait Ranch.