The Team
Guvnor and Lad
Rescue Horses who have been with us since August 2021.
Guvnor and Lad are best buddies. They love mints and Cheerios!
For those who come to train on our farm you can choose to provide the treats!
Winston, Skeddadle, and Resi
Our Nigerian Dwarf Goats with us since April 2022.
They love the sun, to climb and play with people!
Buddy
A beloved, retired former barrel racer donated by the Cornell University Equestrian Team. He needed a home and a new job, and he's found that at Stablework. Buddy is so gentle, he's everyone's buddy. His racing name was "Cold Frosty One."
BOARD of DIRECTORS
An all volunteer Board:
Ruth Starer, Susan Schwartz, Lisa Krizman, Michelle Decker
Lisa Krizman, President, Director, and Founder
Lisa is a former Special Education attorney, regionally recognized for excellence and a former Assistant General Counsel for a major international corporation. She is now a Court Appointed Volunteer Special Advocate for Foster Children (CASA). She also holds an MSW from Columbia University and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University. Lisa was also a former volunteer with the NYC chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness and the ASPCA, is a member of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, and has significant experience with individuals with disabilities. Lisa now lives in Newfield, NY.
Susan Miron Schwartz, Chair of the Board of Directors, Vice-President and
Director of Development
Susan has a private practice in occupational therapy evaluations. Susan holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy, from The University of Pennsylvania, an MS in Educational Psychology in Measurement and Evaluation, from NYU, and a Teacher Supervision and Administration certificate, Hunter College. Susan's work has been in both non profit and home/community settings including Rusk Institute, NYU Medical Center, working with adults with disabilities. She is currently a Board Member with the Alcott Montessori School. She has extensive experience in program development and staff trainings. Susan lives in Westchester, NY.
Michelle Decker, Secretary, Director
Michelle is currently involved in her Special Education Consulting practice; Member of New York State Committee on Disabilities; Certified Special Education Advocate by the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys; Facilitator of Mental Health Support Group. Michelle holds a B.S. in Finance/Marketing from Binghamton University. Michelle lives in Westchester, NY.
Ruth Starer, Director
Ruth is currently the CEO/Co-Founder of Copycats Second Avenue Corporation, a printing, signage and graphics corporation. As part of her work there, she has worked with various NYC agencies to provide employment and training to individuals with disabilities. Ruth holds a B.A. in Anthropology from SUNY at Buffalo and an MSW from Adelphi University. She is an active volunteer with conservation and community groups. Ruth lives in NYC.
STAFF
Lisa, Site Supervisor
Lisa, founder and a director of the Stablework program, directly supervises every session, collaborating with different agencies to tailor the program to the participants. This assures the quality and consistency of the programs delivered, and that they are responsive to the changing needs of the individuals.
Pi, Assistant Trainer
We are so excited to welcome Pi as assistant job trainer. Pi is skilled at providing necessary care for the horses and barn. In addition he is patient and organized, a perfect match for training. He is guiding one of our new trainees to learn how to sprinkle pine wood bedding chips in the horse stalls.
Susan, Occupational Therapist
In addition to being Chair of the Stablework Board of Directors, Susan is a highly experienced occupational therapist. She brings her expertise to the curriculum of the Stablework programs and monitors our participants' progress.
Bob, Director of Projects
We are lucky to have Bob do our "Building with Bob" Stablework sessions in the workshop. Bob was the Senior Vice President for Jones Lang LaSalle and Executive Project manager for the renovation of the Empire State Building Observatory in New York City. At Stablework, he volunteers his time to teach to Stablework participants basic woodworking, repair, painting, and carpentry skills.
Pi, former Stable Hand
Pi, in addition to his job as assistant job trainer, he filled a role of our much-needed Stable Hand taking care of our horses and goats. Pi grew up in Ithaca and in his spare time enjoys a broad variety of interests. He went through our Community Classes and we saw how good he was and is with our horses. You can see how he and Buddy have a special thing going. We hope to hire him back.
Ariana, Communications Design Intern
We are excited that Ariana has joined STABLEWORK in January 2023 for her Spring Semester Internship through New York City College of Technology.
Ariana is a senior studying Communication Design. Over the course of 7 years, she’s been studying this field and has designed and problem-solved for several clients.
“Designing and problem-solving brings me joy and I aspire to be a creative director one day.”
We are so happy to have Ariana be part of the STABLEWORK team
Engels Certified Public Accounting
Welcome Engels Certified Public Accounting of Lansing, New York, to assist with our financial management as we grow.
