EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Shannon was born and raised in Birmingham, although she and her family lived in Gulfport, MS for seven years (hey, Coasties!!). She joined The Red Barn staff in July of 2012 as the Volunteer Manager and accepted the Executive Director position in the summer of 2024. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from UAB in Criminal Justice and has spent the last 23 years in nonprofit administration, earning her CVA from the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and becoming certified in Employment Law and Compliance by Human Capital Institute. She is also certified in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR and attended Glenwood’s Managing Crisis Safely training. Her life verse is Romans 8:28: “We know that God makes all things work together for good for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose.” Shannon’s life has been full of challenges, but God has woven them all together into a beautiful masterpiece of purpose and calling. She loves The Red Barn.

EQUINE DIRECTOR

Alexis has been at The Red Barn since the very beginning...since before The Red Barn was The Red Barn. She grew up in Birmingham and attended Birmingham-Southern College where she majored in Religion and minored in Psychology. Alexis has ridden and shown American Saddlebreds for almost 30 years. She has won numerous state, regional, and national titles. She currently competes with her horse Finn on the Kentucky Circuit. Alexis is certified in Movement Method, Horse Boy, PVEI, Natural Lifemanship, Man O'War, Special Olympics, CPR, and first aid, and completed Glenwood's Managing Crisis Safely training. Alexis loves sharing her lifelong love of horses with others and promoting the versatility of the American Saddlebred. She especially loves seeing the connection between students and their favorite horses. When she's not at work, Alexis is most likely at a horse show, spending time with her dog Loofah, or playing with her nieces and nephews.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Grace Butler has been a dedicated member of The Red Barn team since 2013. With a degree in Communications and a certification in Hospitality, she has also spent the past eight years training with The Better Fundraising Company. Grace began her journey as a Program Coordinator, taking on various administrative roles before discovering her passion for welcoming visitors, giving tours, planning events, and sharing the barn’s mission. In 2018, she became the Public Relations Manager, where she continues to connect with the community. She is now the Philanthropy and Communications Director, so whether you’re looking to schedule a tour or invite a speaker for your group, Grace is the person to call!

DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS OPERATIONS & CHAPLAIN

Jason started at The Red Barn as a part-time handyman and came on full-time in 2018 as the Property Manager. He graduated from Samford University, became a teacher/coach, became a Children’s Pastor, and finally landed at The Red Barn. Jason is OSHA Ladder Safety Certified, adult and pediatric first aid and CPR certified, is trained in Glenwood’s Managing Crisis Safely, and is a certified chaplain. Even though he doesn’t ride horses, he loves driving the tractors/mowers, mending and building fences, managing grass in all weather conditions, and seeing the great families at the barn. It is a pleasure to work with the best staff, best horses, best families, and on the most beautiful property around. Go Dawgs!!

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Born and raised in the Birmingham area, Connor has worked at The Red Barn since 2014. Originally an intern, he has held various roles on the property, operations, and administrative teams and is currently the Program Director. Connor has a Bachelor's degree in History (with a minor in film studies) from Furman University and a Master's of Public Administration degree from UAB. He is also certified in the Movement Method through New Trails Learning System. Outside of work, Connor enjoys educating others about the importance of opossums and befriending every cat he meets.

VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR

Millie was born in Andalusia, Alabama, but grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and she’s been riding horses since she was three years old! Millie has worked at The Red Barn since April of 2021.  Millie is currently an Administrative Assistant, but she also loves helping in the barn and assisting in lessons daily. She is certified in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR, Movement Method through New Trails Learning System, Polyvagal Equine Institute, Stable Moments, Advanced Equine First Aid, and Glenwood’s Managing Crisis Safely. After work you can find Millie riding her horse Rio.

RIDING INSTRUCTOR

As long as Sylvie can remember, she has loved horses and wanted to spend as much time learning and teaching others the love of horses. Growing up, Sylvie explored many different disciplines of riding. Sylvie started as a volunteer in 2014 and joined our full-time staff after graduating high school in 2017, where she began her journey as a therapeutic riding instructor. She is certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Man O’ War, New Trails programs The Long Ride Home and Movement Method, Special Olympics, Glenwood's Managing Crisis Safely, and the Polyvagal Equine Institute; she is certified in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR; she is also currently completing an equine osteopathy certification through London College of Animal Osteopathy. Sylvie enjoys spending time at work teaching a wide variety of students all about horses and in her free time spends time with her horses and eating cheese.

INSTRUCTOR

Erin Gradert taught in a special education classroom for children with autism for 7 years before going back to school for Occupational Therapy. She currently works at The Red Barn teaching riding lessons and also as a pediatric occupational therapist at another organization. Erin grew up around horses, helping her dad and grandpa on their Arabian horse farm in the Midwest. She is a licensed occupational therapist with certifications in first aid and CPR as well as teaching elementary and special education. Erin was born in Minnesota, where her favorite hobby was finding and caring for injured animals; she has lived in Missouri, Germany, Iowa, and Alabama AND has visited 13 different countries!

FACILITY COORDINATOR

Growing up in the Tuscaloosa area, Brandi was a stay-at-home mom, substitute teacher, and volunteer at The Red Barn.  She joined The Red Barn team in 2016.  She's been a part of several teams here, notably operations and property.  Working with job skills and other unmounted classes and horse handling in riding lessons are her favorite parts of the job.  Brandi is certified in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR, but she can handle anything that happens on the property! Brandi is, as her father has called her, a "Jill of all trades."

RIDING INSTRUCTOR

Ivey grew up in the Columbus, Georgia area where she fell in love with horses at a young age, riding in both English and Western disciplines through college and volunteering at similar adaptive riding agencies. Ivey attended Auburn University, majoring in Animal Sciences, before moving to the Birmingham area. She began as a volunteer and intern with the barn, but has been on staff full time since March 2020, where she has held various roles in the administration, program, operations, and barn teams. Ivey is certified through the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, Council of Education and Certification in Therapeutic Horsemanship, Polyvagal Equine Institute, Stable Moments, New Trails Learning Movement Method, Glenwood’s Managing Crisis Safely, and adult and pediatric first aid and CPR. Ivey enjoys working with both students and horses as a part of her everyday work and spending time with her two horses and dogs in her free time.

RIDING INSTRUCTOR

Madie was born in Tuscaloosa, AL, and has spent her life surrounded by horses from the age of ten. She began her journey in therapeutic horseback riding eight years ago by volunteering at a similar agency in New York City. In 2020, she became a certified PATH International Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor and has continued to further her education on disabilities to help build confidence, skill, and strength in her students. Madie moved back to Birmingham, AL, and began working as an Instructor at The Red Barn in 2024. Madie’s commitment to the field continues to grow as she combines her love for horses with her dedication to making a positive impact in her students' lives.

EQUINE CARETAKER APPRENTICE & PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Noah has lived in 5 different states but lived in Minnesota most of his life. Noah came aboard The Red Barn Team at the end of 2024 as a Barn Assistant. Noah has always loved and felt at peace whenever he’s been around horses. He is grateful that he gets to be a part of a team that gives people the opportunity to have that same feeling. Noah volunteered at a similar agency called center called Pony Power Therapies in New Jersey and at a summer camp called Camp Shamineau as an Assistant Wrangler. Noah’s love of Jesus, children, and horses is contagious and inspiring.

INSTRUCTOR

Lizz, a Birmingham native, found her passion for helping others in high school while volunteering with a similar agency. She earned her Bachelor's in Human Development/Child Life from the University of Alabama. She worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Children’s of Alabama before pursuing her Master’s in Occupational Therapy, which she completed in 2022. She’s a licensed OTR/L, CPR certified, and trained in Glenwood’s Managing Crisis Safely course.

Lizz has been involved with The Red Barn since 2019—as an intern, part of the operations team, and later completing an OT clinical rotation. She’s passionate about inclusion, helping kids reach their potential, and is always eager to learn. In her free time, she loves playing ultimate frisbee.

BARN ASSISTANT

A proud graduate of The Altamont School, Jamison went on to study Fashion Design at both the University of Alabama and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She has over a decade of experience in sales and marketing, building a career around connecting with people, crafting compelling stories, and driving results.

Outside of work, she is a lifelong book lover—Stephen King is her all-time favorite author—and a bit of a thrill-seeker (ask her about bungee jumping off Victoria Falls in Africa!). She is also a puzzle enthusiast and a dedicated member of a weekly puzzle club, which keeps her problem-solving skills sharp and her social calendar full of fun.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Isabella began her journey at The Red Barn as an intern while completing her master’s degree. She now serves as the Public Relations Coordinator, overseeing social media, communications, and community outreach, while also assisting with administrative and financial operations. Her graduate studies focused on military family dynamics, trauma-informed care, and alternative therapies, with an emphasis on program design, development, and evaluation. Before joining The Red Barn, Isabella volunteered at a similar adaptive riding organization during her undergraduate years, where she discovered her passion for the healing power of human-animal connection. Aside from her administrative and communications roles, Isabella enjoys helping in the barn and being part of lessons whenever she can. In her free time, she loves practicing yoga, learning new languages, spending time with her dog, Briar, and reading.