The People Behind the Purpose
At KERRI, every horse’s journey is supported by a team united by compassion, experience, and a deep respect for the Thoroughbred. From rehabilitation and retraining to governance and long-term aftercare, our team brings together equestrians, financial professionals, veterinarians, and advocates who share one common belief: every horse deserves the opportunity for a safe, purposeful, and dignified future beyond the track.
Together, we work to create thoughtful second careers, lifelong sanctuary when needed, and a community built around integrity, transparency, and the well-being of the horses we serve.
Katie Fisher
Co-Founder, Board Director, and Executive Director
Kingfisher Farms founder Katie Fisher is a self-professed “farm kid” who grew up around animals from an early age. She worked for the renowned Arroyo Arabians in Santa Ynez before moving to Thoroughbreds at Magali Farms. Her favorite aspect of the horse industry is layups, which led to that focus when debuting Kingfisher Farms. “I live for misfit toys,” Fisher joked.
In all seriousness, Fisher has truly become a standout in a niche industry. “Layups are my passion,” she said. “I like getting a horse and making it better before sending it on. I like seeing horses flourish, and even better, having the client also see it.”
The farm has housed top stakes winners like Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero Storm the Court, Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Going Global and California-bred standouts Brickyard Ride and Take the One O One. Two-time California Broodmare of the Year Ashley’s Folly is pensioned at Kingfisher Farms as well.
What does she think of her farm? “I pinch myself every day,” Fisher said.
Ingrid McConnell
President
Ingrid grew up with horses and was an avid Pony Clubber in Vermont and Maryland, attaining the “B” level before a 25-year riding hiatus for education, career and family.
Before an early retirement to raise her four children, Ingrid enjoyed a career in finance as an analyst for Credit Suisse First Boston and Director of Corporate Finance for the Walt Disney Company. She also served a variety of nonprofits as a volunteer, including Opportunity International Board of Governors, Treasurer and Auditor for various parent organizations, numerous room parent roles for her children’s classes, President of the Global Initiatives Alliance at Polytechnic School, and Grounds, Membership and Finance Committee roles at the Flintridge Riding Club. Ingrid also served on the board of Rose Bowl Riders, a community riding facility and club in Pasadena California for six years including four years as President. During her tenure she led the Strategic Plan, Finance and Bylaws Committees and participated in the Annenberg Alchemy nonprofit board training program.
Ingrid splits her time between Fort Collins, Colorado and Hermosa Beach, California, and has also lived with her family in the Netherlands and Australia. She holds a bachelor’s degree (Economics/Applied Math) from Smith College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Ingrid is married to Mike McConnell and enjoys advising her young adult children and taking care of her two aging labrador retrievers, an opinionated chestnut mare and a young home-bred gelding that she is certain is heading to the Olympics.
Shannon McAnally Griffin
Secretary
Shannon has a professional background in risk management and sustainability, beginning her career at AIG as an underwriter and later at Willis as a property specialist broker.
She has served on numerous nonprofit boards (501c3 and 501c7), with a focus on governance, board fundamentals, and strategic planning. To deepen her expertise, she completed a two-year board training program through the Annenberg Foundation’s Alchemy Program and earned a Certificate of Board Consulting through BoardSource.
In addition to her role as Secretary of the KERRI Board, Shannon serves as a director on the Thoroughbred Charities of America Board and on the Advisory Committee for the Retired Racehorse Project.
Shannon grew up in the Southern California horse racing industry on the racetrack side. She is the niece of Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally and the daughter of California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation founder Joseph McAnally, a Thoroughbred Charities of America grant recipient.
She has ridden her entire life, primarily in the hunter discipline, and has owned many horses, including several off-track Thoroughbreds.
Natascha Ruiz
Treasurer
Natascha brings over 20 years of international experience in finance, accounting, and business operations across corporate, startup, and nonprofit environments. She has held Financial Controller roles for global organizations across multiple regions.
Ruiz began her career with KPMG in auditing and assurance, building a strong foundation in financial controls and governance.
Throughout her career, she has worked across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, managing complex financial structures, supporting strategic growth, and implementing systems that ensure transparency and accountability.
As founder of Flame Kissed LLC, she also brings an entrepreneurial perspective, combining creative direction with disciplined financial management.
Alongside her financial expertise, Ruiz has a lifelong passion for horses. She is a reining, working ranch, and trail rider who has retrained off-track Thoroughbreds and worked with Arabian rescues, later teaching riding in Germany with a focus on building confidence in children and novice riders.
Ruiz’s combined experience in finance and horsemanship supports KERRI’s mission with both strategic oversight and a understanding of the horses it serves
Todd Gregory
Co-Founder, Board Director, Equine Chiropractor
Having worked on Breeders’ Cup winners and a Kentucky Derby winner, Todd Gregory is certainly no stranger to greatness. The equine chiropractor traveled with the United States Olympic Eventing Team twice and has worked on horses that succeeded at the highest levels in both dressage and barrel racing.
Gregory was originally a human chiropractor before going back to veterinary chiropractic college. He has since worked on some very significant horses.
But it’s more than just chiropractic work for Gregory. “I just facilitate everyone so that their jobs are a little easier,” he said. “I’ll work on two to ten horses per day, and then whatever else needs doing.”
Over the years, Gregory has found that he can find patterns in horses based on their discipline. “Anything can happen (in the body) to any horse in any discipline, but you do start seeing patterns based on what they do for work,” he said. “It makes it a lot easier to figure out what needs to be worked on in general.”
He loves Kingfisher Farms, stating, “It’s happy people working on happy horses. Can’t ask for more.”