ABOUT SPECIAL SPIRIT
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EVA LUND
Founder​
In 2005, Eva opened Moonshadow Ranch, a small ranch in the heart of Shadow Hills. Moonshadow Ranch is committed to enriching the lives of both horses and people. Eva developed a passion for helping children at an early age. Growing up in her native Sweden, she lead special needs children around the arena at her riding school, as a way to earn lessons for herself. In Sweden, almost every riding school has a special needs riding program and Eva discovered that the effect riding had on these kids was tremendous. In 2007, Eva volunteered at the "Special Olympics" at Hansen Dam, and was reminded of her childhood encounter with special kids .Eva holds a Certificate for Therapeutic Riding from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, (EAGALA). Autism awareness is a subject close to her heart, as Eva is the godmother of Jake, who is autistic. Jake is a tremendously brave person, with a heart of gold and a pure soul.
MOLLY JAMISON
Vice President
Molly is currently a stay at home mom of 5 children, with four still living at home. Previous to having children, her professional career was in education, where she primarily taught elementary and junior high students for many years. She also spent many years teaching Human development courses at the highschool level and participated in several courses for child development and parent education. In addition to a career in education, she has served on several church and PTA boards as a volunteer. Molly reflects fondly on her childhood growing up in Idaho working and playing with horses, and was led back to them when she began observing how equine therapy impacted family members in such a positive way. She has a passion for the animals and the special work they do and looks forward to serving Special Spirit and seeing it flourish to help others in need.
YANGZOM BRAUEN
Fundraising
Yangzom Brauen is an award-winning film and television director with an impressive career spanning multiple hit shows. Her short film Born in Battle, about child soldiers, earned the prestigious CICT-UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Award and the UNESCO Gandhi Medal. The film was screened at a UN committee meeting in Geneva and won the audience award at the Max Ophüls Preis festival. Following a 2018 screening in Los Angeles, she was immediately offered her first TV directing job for NCIS: LA, leading to work on Hawaii Five-0, Station 19, Magnum P.I., MacGyver, and many more. She has directed over 30 hours of television, including Sweet Magnolias (Netflix), American Horror Stories (FX), FBI, and Law & Order (CBS/NBC).
Beyond filmmaking, Yangzom is a passionate advocate for Tibetan freedom. Her bestselling memoir, Across Many Mountains, tells the story of three generations of Tibetan women: her grandmother, a Buddhist nun, her mother, and herself. It has been translated into 12 languages and is now being adapted into a film. Born and raised in Bern, Switzerland, to a Tibetan artist mother and a Swiss anthropologist father, she studied at the prestigious University of Theater and Music in Bern before building a successful acting career in Europe and Hollywood. Yangzom is fluent in five languages and is a member of both the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). She currently lives in Los Angeles.
CHARLENE MASON GALLEGO
Outreach
Charlene Mason Gallego is an artist and dedicated volunteer who discovered Special Spirit through her daughter, Olivia, a teen volunteer with a passion for horses and animal care. Charlene incorporates volunteer service as part of her homeschool curriculum, recognizing Special Spirit as a remarkable resource for hands-on learning and social enrichment.
She earned her BFA from California College of the Arts in San Francisco and was building her art career when she moved to Southern California with her husband, who works in the film industry. Charlene quickly fell in love with the region’s natural beauty and developed a deep knowledge of its native flora and fauna. In her own yard, she gardens with native plants, creating a habitat for birds, bunnies, bees, and butterflies. Her wild garden, a sanctuary for local wildlife, is a source of inspiration for her artwork, which has been exhibited in group shows and is part of private collections. She has also volunteered with the California Wildlife Center, The Marine Mammal Center, and the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers & Native Plants, reflecting her lifelong commitment to conservation and education.
ELIZABETH MARX
Marketing
​​Elizabeth Marx brings a wealth of experience in marketing and nonprofit advocacy to Special Spirit. With a strong background in brand development, web design, and strategic communications, she successfully led marketing initiatives across industries, from technology to consumer brands. In addition to her professional work, Elizabeth dedicated years to nonprofit advocacy, serving on community boards, leading outreach efforts, and working with organizations focused on community engagement, cultural enrichment, and public safety. While volunteering at Special Spirit, Elizabeth rediscovered her passion for horses and the special horse-human healing connection. She is committed to sharing Special Spirit’s mission through outreach, engagement, and strategic communication.
MARK LECHLER
Treasurer​​
Mark is a registered investment advisor in Pasadena who is the founder and managing director of Pacific Trust Wealth Management. Mark found his way to Special Spirit via his interest in the outdoors and livestock, specifically dairy and pack goats. He was touched by the great programs Special Spirit offers and the impact they have on the participants’ wellbeing. He views the opportunity to volunteer for Special Spirit a privilege.
ADVISORS
Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson
Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson is an Emmy-winning television producer turned author and activist, dedicated to autism awareness and fearless aging. Growing up with a brother with Down Syndrome gave her early insight into the challenges faced by families raising children with special needs. After a successful career producing shows like PM Magazine and NBC’s LEEZA, she shifted her focus to advocacy when her adopted son Wyatt was diagnosed with autism. She founded the Denim and Diamonds for Autism fundraiser and became the executive director of ACT Today!, helping distribute $2.8 million to families nationwide and launching initiatives for military and Latino families. A passionate advocate, she also serves as a Lay Minister and Director of The Exceptional Families Ministry at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Woodland Hills, CA .
B Brian Martin
B Brian Martin, Founder and Council Chair of AnalysisLAB, is a proven finance executive with a prodigious business background in retail, hospitality, entertainment, and real estate development. B Brian’s expertise in key facets of capital structuring, private placements, contract and lease negotiations, project developments, and corporate finance underscores his analytical and strategic acumen for expanding proof of concepts and accelerating brand expansions. His professional background includes large scale entertainment developments and accelerated-growth strategies of notable national restaurant and nightlife brands.
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From entrepreneurial startups and proof-of-concepts through brand expansions and exit strategies, B Brian's successful undertakings include significant industry innovators and leaders like Universal Studios CityWalk & Theme Parks, Innovative Dining Group, sbe Restaurant & Nightlife Group, and House of Blues Entertainment, Kingsmen Creative, SusieCakes Bakeries and Bungalow Hospitality Group.
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Current projects include a $2.1B strategic acquisition and repositioning of Ciudad de la Luz Studios in Alicante, Spain. A $20MM structured equity raise for development and expansion of Nerf Action Xperience Centers and $25MM development and equity raise for Los Angeles based hospitality group.
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B Brian is graduate of University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Management with a dual concentration, Accounting and Finance, and Minor in Economics, Master of Science in Business Analytics candidate at Texas A&M and Congressional Nomination recipient, United States Military Academy, West Point.
KATHY ALONZO
In the late 1970, as Kathy was attending college, she volunteered as a coach for the Special Olympics. Thirty years later, after changing her major from nursing to education, she finds herself again working with special needs children. Currently, Kathy works at a LAUSD elementary school and is a special needs advocate. In the past, Kathy managed group homes in San Diego and assisted the agency in public relations and fundraising. For five years, Kathy has been the completion coordinator for the Kiwanis Club of Warner Center Therapeutic Horse Show. Kathy’s son Paul, who is autistic, has been riding since he was 10 years old and is considered an “A” rider. Kathy’s passion for horses, children and education is a great blend for Special Spirit.
PAUL REYNOLDS
Through Special Spirit Inc., Paul's legacy will live on, enriching the lives of countless individuals with special needs. His memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him, reminding us all that we have the power to make positive change.
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Paul was the owner of CSB Contractors, a leading design/building company specializing in recording studio construction. Initially trained as a recording engineer, Paul worked with such industry giants as Jimmy Lovine and Don Smith on projects by U2, Tom Petty, and Stevie Nicks, among others. Paul, the father of Jake, his autistic son, who inspires all who come to know him. Jake splits his time between California and Maryland and is active with the Special Olympics in both states. Paul's inspiration for Special Spirit Inc. came when he did a "Polar Bear Plunge" in Maryland, to raise funds for the Special Olympics. The formation of Special Spirit Inc. is the culmination of years of brainstorming with Eva as to how they could become active in the special needs community. Paul and Eva have been business partners on joint ventures in many varied successful projects and apply the same principles to Special Spirit Inc. Jake's sisters, Shawn and Emily, who are both college students, are also deeply involved.