NMCTR Board
Our Board is made up of community members who donate their time on a volunteer basis. They provide oversight and governance and recognize their responsibility with donations of both time and money. We are proud to enjoy 100% participation from the Board for financial contributions on an annual basis.
Shelley Phelan
President
Shelley was born and raised in New Mexico, spent 17 years in Dallas, and returned to NM in 2002. She has a degree from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and a Bachelors in Marketing from NMSU. Shelley spent many years in retail, advertising and marketing and worked for the Dallas Morning News before relocating to Santa Fe. NMCTR is one of many community organizations She has been involved with through the years including CASA, Many Mothers, Habitat for Humanity, SFIS and Boys and Girls Club. She is also NMCTR Volunteer Coordinator and assists with lessons and horse care. NMCTR gives Shelley the opportunity to combine “my love for horses with my desire to help those in need.”
Dr. Stuart Garber
Vice President
Dr. Stuart H. Garber, D.C., Ph.D., AVCA, has been practicing holistic medicine since 1981. He has lectured to the general public, medical, dental, chiropractic, acupuncture and veterinary groups in the US, Europe, Asia and Caribbean. In 1997, he became the first person in the US to receive a Ph.D. in Homeopathy. He is Past-President of the California Homeopathic Medical Society and sits on the board of several organizations. He resides in Santa Fe, with his wife, internationally renowned artist Helen K. Garber, their three horses and three dogs. He is the developer of Dr. Garber’s Natural Solutions and Maxwell Pet by Dr. Garber’s, unique lines of biotherapy formulas that address common conditions for humans and their animal companions. He is also certified in animal chiropractic by AVCA.
Robert Steven Rymer
Treasurer
Steve was born in Tampico, Mexico, and moved with his family to San Antonio, Tx. After attending UT Austin, he joined the family business, and opened Materials Marketing-Dallas. Spending his 80’s in Dallas, he then moved to NM where he became manager of Architectural Surfaces in Albuquerque. Following 10 years of living in NM, Steve returned to Austin TX. A short time after returning, he founded Architectural Tile & Stone. He enjoys his active business with over 25 employees, a 22,000 sq. ft facility, and fantastic products from beautiful marble slabs they import to the finest collection of tiles in Central TX. His daughter has taken over the business and doing a fantastic job. He is also a member of Rotary of Santa Fe, Home Builders Association of Austin, TX, and Natural Stone Institute.
Zella Kay Cox
Secretary
Zella moved to Santa Fe from Chicago in 1996. There, she was a member of the Board of Thresholds, an organization dedicated to providing services to individuals with behavior and/or mental disorders. The organization was focused on assisting individuals who were homeless and mentally ill, helping them find housing, treatment and appropriate employment. In Santa Fe, Zella has worked with organizations addressing the issues of literacy, high school drop outs, and juvenile justice. She also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for nine years and subsequently joined the Board of the Child Advocacy Network which oversees the CASA programs throughout New Mexico. Zella looks forward to assisting us with community outreach and public relations.
Nancy Desiderio
Board Member
Nancy grew up in Albuquerque. She earned a B.A. in political science from Swarthmore College. After living in AL and WA, Nancy returned home for good. She and her spouse, Mike, moved to Pecos, N.M., and she commenced law school at the University of New Mexico. After graduating, Nancy worked for the U.S. District Court in Santa Fe, and was on the Board of the Pecos Valley Medical Center. Nancy is the oldest of eight children, six adopted. Her parents became treatment foster care parents when she was in high school, giving her experience with people facing physical, mental, emotional, and financial challenges. Nancy is a rider with the NMCTR program, keeping her mobile despite having multiple sclerosis. She and her family love working at the barn and taking care of the NMCTR "herd."
Kitty Marie Hudson
Board Member
Kitty has spent over 28 years practicing conscious interior and architectural design creating visionary environments designed to enhance and nurture the life journey of their inhabitants. Her passion for design led to an international career across the Western US and Europe. She graduated with a double major in Fine Arts & Design and Psychology from OSU. Her life’s work is inspired by her love of animals, nature, science and art. She has been riding and learning from horses most of her life. She is currently developing a line of holistic luxury equine and pet grooming products focused on the well-being of horses and pets, enhancing the deep bond between animals and humans. Kitty has found her true home in Santa Fe, with her husband Will, their beloved Golden Retrievers and Quarter Horses.
Victoria Romejko
Board Member
Victoria is a communications and marketing professional in the art gallery business in Santa Fe. She has a B.A. in International Studies from Southern Methodist University and a M.A. in Communications from the University of Denver, but her passion for volunteerism and non-profit work originated from her high school alma mater, Ursuline Academy of Dallas, whose motto is Serviam (I Will Serve). Victoria loves that NMCTR provides an opportunity to work with underserved populations and promotes the spiritual connection between horses and humans.
Nancy Novak
Board Member
Nancy is a Registered Nurse and is currently the School Nurse at the Pecos Independent School District. She has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from ASU and a Master of Nursing from the UW. She moved to Santa Fe from Seattle in 2014 to teach nursing at the local Community Colleges. After 30 years in Seattle, it was time to come back to the SW. She has always been an animal lover, has had dogs her whole life, and would have horses if she knew how to keep one in the backyard! She has volunteered and served on the Board of an animal shelter in Glorieta. In 2017, she began volunteering with NMCTR and loves working with the horses and the children in need of therapeutic riding. NMCTR’s Summer Camp is her favorite followed by networking and fundraising for NMCTR.
Advisory Board
John Berkenfeld, Ret. Executive Director, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas
Deborah Lamal, Advisor
Marilyn Miller, Advisor
Don Miller, Advisor
Mike Phelan, Deloitte Consulting, Advisor
