Our Board of Directors

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 Betsy’s love of horses began at a young age and grew through her training with Carol Northrop and the Limestone Pony Club in Manlius. After taking time to raise a family, she returned to her passion as a Sunshine volunteer and schooler, where her experience in riding and horse care continues to shine.
With more than 30 years of experience in public relations and marketing, Betsy brings valuable expertise in media relations, crisis communication, and strategic planning. Before retiring, she served as Communications Manager for St. Joseph’s Health and previously led marketing and communications efforts for North Medical and Hezel Associates.
Betsy holds a Master Certificate in Health Care Management from SUNY Empire State College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Le Moyne College.

President
Betsy Bedigian

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Vice President
Christine Petrone

Christine grew up on Cape Cod and has been involved with horses since she was eight years old. She’s owned her 23-year-old Paint gelding, Drew, since he was three and spent her youth competing with him. After earning her Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business Management with a specialization in Equine Management from Cazenovia College, she fell in love with Central New York and made it her permanent home in 2014. In 2022, her dream came true when she brought Drew home to retire on her own small farm.
Christine now specializes in nonprofit accounting and enjoys helping organizations set up strong financial systems and policies. She lives in Cazenovia with her boyfriend, three horses, three barn cats, and one spoiled house cat. In her free time, she loves spending time on her farm, golfing, snowmobiling, and reading. She’s excited to bring her equine background and accounting expertise to Sunshine Horses, Inc.

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Treasurer
Maggie Bocsor

In April 2020, a friend announced that Sunshine Horses, Inc. was looking for a Treasurer. Maggie’s experience in Financial Administration for nonprofit agencies was a perfect fit. Her passion is serving those who are passionate about horses, live music, and land and water conservation. She is now building and strengthening nonprofit organizations that will live on in the future and continue to carry on their mission and serve their communities. She is a strong member of the Sunshine Horses team and continues to help and support them as they grow!

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Secretary
Liesl Saurer

Liesl has been a volunteer with Sunshine Horses for more than two years. She heads up several different committees and enjoys riding and working with the horses.
She brings over 25 years of experience in the medical device industry and currently works as a Compliance Officer for Stryker Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement Division. In her role, she oversees adherence to federal and state regulations governing interactions with healthcare professionals.

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Director of Operations
Mary Minkoff

Mary has always had a deep love for horses and gained her hands-on experience from the ground up after joining Sunshine Horses in 2009. She soon followed her dream by adopting her first horse, Dawn, and over the years developed a strong dedication to the organization. Recognizing the need for Sunshine Horses to grow and establish itself as a leading equine rescue, Mary introduced the idea of pursuing accreditation with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries in 2018 while serving on the board of directors. Drawing on her 37 years of experience in nurse management within a highly regulated field, she helped build the structure and standards needed to move the organization forward. Mary later stepped into the role of Director of Operations and Quality Assurance, where she continues to oversee daily operations and lead accreditation efforts with GFAS, the Standardbred Transition Alliance, and the Equus Foundation.

A woman with blonde hair wearing a red jacket stands next to a brown horse with a white star on its forehead inside a stable.

Director of Programs
Cindy Albro

Cindy has been a Sunshine Horses volunteer for six years and now serves as Secretary on the Board. She’s done it all—mucking, feeding, watering, grooming, and loving every horse she meets. She jumps in wherever needed to help the farm run smoothly. Her favorite saying sums it up: “Whoever said Disney World is the happiest place on earth has never been to Sunshine Horses!” Though her heart horse, Sisko, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, his memory—and the lifelong friendships she’s made here—will stay with her forever.

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Events and Fundraising
Dianne Sestak

Dianne has been a volunteer with Sunshine Horses for 13 years. A retired Kindergarten teacher of 37 years, she combined her love for children and animals by creating classroom fundraisers to support the horses and bringing her students to visit the farm. She now channels her creativity into organizing events — especially the annual Gala — and managing Sunshine’s website and social media. Most importantly, Dianne is passionate about engaging the community and sharing Sunshine’s mission of Helping Horses, Helping People.

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Director
Ashley Hayes

Ashely, a lifelong horse enthusiast, began riding at age 8 in Purcellville, VA, showing in hunter divisions, fox hunting, and competing in various disciplines. While attending Syracuse University, she rode for the equestrian team and later co-owned Beacon Hill Farm in Cato, NY, a successful full-care boarding facility. After taking time away to focus on family and career, Ashley happily reconnected with horses by volunteering on Mondays and now working with
the Board.
Ashley is a partner with Hancock Estabrook, LLP, in the firm’s Litigation, Labor & Employment, and Intellectual Property Departments. Previously she served as an Interlocutory Attorney with the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, addressing procedural and substantive issues in trademark disputes.

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Karen has often said, “It's amazing to have found a place like Sunshine where I can combine my two passions: animals and accounting!” Serving as a co-lead on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Karen will replace Maggie Bocsor as treasurer following a six-month transition.
Her career spans Public Accounting (7) years for-profit small business management including CPAs and Contract Accounting at Syracuse University, and 27 years as a New York State Senior Auditor. Karen also served a treasurer for a non-profit organization.

Assistant Treasurer
Karen Fenton

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Other Key Members

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Equine Care Committee
Beth Smart

Beth is the Chairperson for the Equine Care Committee (ECC) and the Adoption Representative. She has been with Sunshine for 11 years and just loves it. She and her family have adopted several of Sunshine’s horses.
Horse care is her thing!

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Facilities Manager
Mike Tebo

Mike was interested in horses at an early age. He competed in Gymkana events at small, local horse shows. While living in Ogdensburg, NY, he owned 22 acres with a house and barn that he took care of. After moving to Syracuse in 1989 for a job promotion, his priorities changed with having a family and job responsibilities. After 42 years in the grocery business, he retired in 2019.
He found out about Sunshine Horses when he attended the Uptown Hoedown in 2021. He is currently the Facilities Manager responsible for all maintenance issues on the farm, coordinating volunteer groups interested in helping out with tasks ranging from fence building, fence painting, building structures for storing sawdust, run in sheds etc.

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Volunteer Coordinator
Dianna Wellmon

Diana came to Sunshine a little over 2 years ago after seeing an advertisement on a billboard. She is a retired Medical Laboratory Technician and Co-Founder of Women Transcending Boundaries.
She oversees the Volunteer Committee which orients new volunteers and facilitates all volunteer related activities and concerns. Coordinating tours and working with the many outside organizations who are interested in doing projects at Sunshine are also part of her responsibilities.
She has had the good fortune of owning two amazing horses in the past and have witnessed first hand the healing power of connecting with horses. Helping Horses , Helping People can be seen daily at Sunshine Horses.