Shari Bluband first became involved with horses as a young girl, when she and her father rescued a beautiful Appaloosa Mare from an abusive home. That experience led to a lifelong love of horses and other animals. In her professional life, Shari is currently the Executive Director for Oncology, Radiology, Physical Therapy & Job Care at St. Helena Hospital. Her business, management, and non-profit experience has been invaluable to Sunrise as we have continued to grow. “It is an honor to serve our herd, the horse community, and our volunteers that love and care for our horses each day.” Shari graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and received her MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She currently lives in St. Helena, California with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

Dr. Claudia Sonder is a 1995 graduate of the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, and an owner at Napa Valley Equine in Napa, California. Dr. Sonder served as the Director of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health from 2012-2016. She has specific interest in Disaster education and preparedness and has assisted large animal shelter and evacuation efforts regionally in Northern California over the past 8 years. Dr. Sonder serves as the president of the Napa Community Animal Response Team (CART) and assists the disaster coordinator of the Northern California Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. Sonder is a founding member of Cal CARTs, which was established in 2019 to unite animal response stakeholders and bolster options for mutual aid across the state.

Alex joined the Board of Sunrise Horse Rescue in January 2020. His horsemanship skills include rescuing and gentling wild horses, gymkhana, cutting, and horse camping. While student head of the horse department at The Thacher School, Alex rescued and gentled a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management. Alex is the Founder & CEO of Proper Space, a commercial real estate firm in San Francisco.

Ingrid Robinson joined the Board of Sunrise Horse Rescue in January 2020. She loves all animals, and has a particular fondness for horses, dogs, and goats. Ingrid had two horses as a young girl, and is very excited to help further the health and happiness of her equine friends. Ingrid recently adopted an off-the-track Thoroughbred named Classico. He’s a kind soul, with a great sense of humor, and is patiently teaching her how to be a better rider.

Maya DeRosa joined the Board of Sunrise Rescue in 2020. She has had a lifelong love for horses and advocacy for equine welfare which ended up connecting her with the Old Friend Thoroughbred Retirement organization in Lexington, Kentucky. She served as their Executive Director and helped raise awareness of the plight of Thoroughbreds when their racing and breeding careers come to an end. Professionally her career has been in the field of municipal land use planning for the last 25 years and she is currently the Planning and Building Director for the City of St. Helena. She has also had an independent grant writing and consulting business.

“ I’m looking forward to helping Sunrise accomplish it’s next mission and to champion for public awareness of how fragile the lives of horses are without our protection.”

Dean is a lifelong advocate for all animals both wild and domestic. She joined the board of Sunrise Horse Rescue to continue her advocacy for horses in need and to advance equine issues education. She currently enjoys the companionship of two rescued dogs, and two horses. She’s shared her life with horses since 1981 and is currently working on a project entitled, “Dog Years,” exploring the quality of life we both receive and give as we enjoy our lives with our pets, knowing we will have many opportunities to love and let go and love again. Working with Sunrise Horse Rescue is a privilege allowing her to take something deeply personal and apply it to a larger cause. Dean served on the board for Sonoma’s Pet’s Lifeline and acted as board president for two years creating and implementing strategic plans while collaborating with the shelter director. Dean is an educator having taught Kindergarten through college level classes, ultimately working as a trainer, coach, and presenter for teachers and districts across the US and Canada.

Moved by the story of Pete, a retired police horse rescued from dire circumstances by Sunrise, Mary Ann has been volunteering since 2011 and joined the board in April 2023. Born and raised in Connecticut, Mary Ann moved west after college and spent nearly 20 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco as a communications manager and corporate analyst, then turned to local non-profit development work for the Land Trust of Napa County and the Napa Valley Opera House. Her experience with horses began with Pretty Boy Floyd, a thoroughbred retired from the track who surprised everyone by becoming her trusty trail horse of many years. Now retired, Mary Ann and her husband live in the western hills near Yountville. 

Mary Ann is constantly inspired by - and learning from - the horses at Sunrise. Their ability to recover from the trauma and neglect they've experienced is extraordinary, and she is honored to join with the board and staff to advocate on their behalf. 

After a 30-year career in banking management, Pam retired in 2006 to follow her passion for dogs, horses and cats through volunteer work.  She was a founding board member and President of Calistoga’s Wine Country Animal Lovers, a dog and cat rescue.  She is a past board Vice President of Sonoma Humane Society, a past board member of Bergin University of Canine Studies, and is currently an active volunteer for Dogwood Animal Rescue Project. In 2022, she joined the board of Sunrise Horse Rescue.  She has loved horses all her life, had two horses as a teenage, and rescued two horses as an adult.  Pam lives in Calistoga with her husband, Paul, two dogs and two cats.