Our board of directors & valued advisors

Danielle Todd

Founder

 Danielle Todd is the founder of Todd Acres and The Unicorn Initiative, where she combines her lifelong connection with animals, passion for working with children, and belief in the healing and transformative power of meaningful human-animal relationships to create experiences centered around compassion, confidence, education, and joy.

With more than 20 years of experience working with children and a lifelong dedication to animal welfare and rescue, Danielle has developed a gentle, relationship-based approach rooted in empathy, emotional awareness, and trust. From a young age, she felt a natural ability to connect deeply with animals and understand their emotions, personalities, and needs — something that continues to shape her philosophy of horsemanship, animal care, and education today.

Her work is influenced by trauma-informed care principles, nervous system awareness, humane education, and relationship-centered horsemanship. Danielle incorporates elements of natural and holistic horsemanship with a strong emphasis on emotional regulation, communication, consent, partnership, and the overall wellbeing of both horse and human.

Danielle maintains a professional membership with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Her work is informed by ongoing professional development and study in the areas of equine behavior, animal-assisted education, child development, humane leadership, nervous system awareness, and wellness-centered programming. She is known for creating thoughtful, relationship-centered experiences that prioritize emotional safety, compassion, and ethical animal stewardship.

What began during the pandemic with a miniature “unicorn” named Dewdrop quickly evolved into a beloved community destination offering horsemanship programs, animal-assisted education, outreach visits, rescue advocacy, family experiences, and opportunities for people of all ages to reconnect with nature, imagination, and compassion.

Danielle’s work has helped cultivate a growing community built around kindness, inclusion, ethical animal stewardship, and the belief that positive experiences with animals can leave a lifelong impact on both children and adults alike. Alongside her husband Larry — her biggest supporter and partner in the dream — Danielle feels incredibly grateful to raise their daughters surrounded by animals, nature, and a compassionate community while continuing to build a place where both people and animals can flourish together.

Catie Munds

Board Chair

Catie is a compassionate leader, animal lover, and dedicated supporter of The Unicorn Initiative whose warmth and positivity make people feel instantly welcome. With a professional background in office administration and team management, she brings strong organizational skills, leadership, and a heart for service to the organization.

A proud dog mom and passionate advocate for animal welfare, Catie cares deeply about creating meaningful connections between people and animals while helping foster compassionate, welcoming experiences for families and children in the community.

As Board Chair, she helps support the vision and growth of The Unicorn Initiative while continuing to serve the community through volunteer leadership, special events, and outreach efforts.

Jamis Spalding

Treasurer

As Treasurer for The Unicorn Initiative, Jamis brings a wealth of financial expertise and strategic leadership to the board. A Certified Public Accountant, he spent seven years in public accounting on the audit side before transitioning to his current role as Controller for a high-growth commercial real estate technology and services business. Since 2020, Jamis has also served as Treasurer for another non-profit, The Giving Exchange. He looks forward to translating that valuable experience to The Unicorn Initiative, ensuring the organization operates with the utmost financial integrity and transparency as it scales.

Beyond the spreadsheets, Jamis is a devoted husband to his wife, Maddie, a proud parent to two amazing boys, Brayden and Carter, and a loving dog dad to Klay. Weekend downtime is usually spent enjoying the outdoors as a family, tackling house projects, exploring new local eateries, or playing a round of golf. Deeply inspired by the incredible work Danielle and Larry have already poured into the organization, Jamis is honored to support the mission and cannot wait to see what the team will accomplish together.

Kaylee Sirr

Secretary

Kaylee serves as the Board Secretary for The Unicorn Initiative, contributing more than a decade of administrative and accounting experience to support the organization’s operations, communication, and governance. Since the age of eighteen, Kaylee has worked in a variety of office-based roles, building strong skills in organization, process management, and financial coordination — all of which she brings to the board with clarity, reliability, and care.

In 2023, Kaylee expanded her lifelong love of animals by starting her own small farm in Oregon with no prior farm experience. Learning through hands-on work, she developed a deep appreciation for animal wellbeing, sustainable practices, and the powerful connection that emerges when people engage meaningfully with animals and the land.

Kaylee is passionate about advancing The Unicorn Initiative’s mission to provide therapeutic farm experiences, promote compassionate animal rescue, and support community engagement in a magical, unicorn-inspired environment. Her blend of professional expertise and personal commitment to sustainability and animal care helps strengthen the organization’s impact and vision.

AJ Ericson

Director of Animal Wellness

National Board-Certified Animal Bodyworker & Energy Healer, Owner of New Future Healing Arts

As the Director of Animal Wellness, AJ holds the Unicorn Initiative’s animals’ well-being to the highest standards. They focus on proactive management and care policies that seek to not only keep the animals healthy, but happy and thriving, too. AJ is honored to be tasked with keeping the life energy of the Unicorn Initiative flowing freely!

Professionally, AJ works at the intersection of physical and emotional health. Their healing sessions have been influenced by the Balance Through Movement Method, fascial line release, quantum reiki, acupressure, and chakra healing. AJ enjoys bringing horses back to their whole health through targeted hands-on modalities while holding space for emotional release. 

AJ holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and is certified in large and small animal acupressure, light therapy, and Quantum Reiki. With over 3 decades of hands-on experience with horses, they've explored various disciplines, including eventing, driving, polo and Western riding. 

Keni Todd

Director of Volunteer Engagement

Keni Todd serves as the Director of Volunteer Engagement for The Unicorn Initiative, where she helps foster a welcoming, encouraging, and community-centered environment for volunteers and guests alike.

Known for her creativity, positive spirit, and heart for service, Keni has a natural gift for helping people feel included, appreciated, and connected. She is passionate about building community through kindness, teamwork, and meaningful shared experiences, helping create the warm and welcoming culture that makes the organization so special.

Keni is also passionate about sustainability and environmental stewardship. As a certified Master Recycler, she enjoys finding creative and resourceful ways to repurpose materials and encourage environmentally conscious practices both on and off the farm.

Her love for community, volunteerism, animals, and sustainability makes her an important part of the Unicorn Initiative team and mission.

Director of Community Care and Family Engagement

Allie is a Registered Nurse with over a decade of experience in a variety of specialties including Critical Care, Psychiatric care, Emergency Medicine, Oncology, and Post Anesthesia Care. Her professional experience gives her a unique ability to foresee the needs of sensitive communities that the Unicorn Initiative hopes to serve.

Allie was born and raised in the Portland Metro area and received her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland. She is an enrolled member of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and involved in local Native American communities.

Allie values inclusivity and kindness, and the Unicorn Initiative being a place that is welcoming to all families. She has a strong desire of building a supportive community that uplifts children and their families. Allie has two young children who are involved in programs and activities at the barn, and she has witnessed how the curriculum has instilled a sense of independence, resiliency, joy, and an empathy for animals.

She is confident that the experiences provided by the Unicorn Initiative are enriching for children, and her top priority is making it fun, inviting, and safe for the families and animals. 

Director of Events

Morgan is the Director of Events, where she channels her extensive background in professional event coordination into creating meaningful experiences for our community.

A master organizer with a deep love for hospitality, creativity, and collaborative teamwork, Morgan thrives on bringing people together for a great cause.

When she isn’t planning events, you can usually find her diving into a creative crafting project or spending time with her family. 

Clinical Wellness Advisor

Brooke is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), mother, and animal lover with a passion for supporting emotional wellness and meaningful human connection. With a professional background in psychiatric care for teens and adults, she brings compassionate insight and a thoughtful, grounded perspective to The Unicorn Initiative.

Brooke deeply values the connection between nature, emotional well-being, and positive human experiences. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and discovering new places and experiences.

Jacob Baran

School Partnerships & Outreach Advisor

Jacob is a valuable member of the team, facilitating connections between the organization, local schools, students, and the broader community.

A dedicated teacher, coach, husband, and father of two, Jacob is passionate about supporting youth development both inside and outside the classroom. He has spent years mentoring students and coaching youth sports, helping young people build confidence, teamwork, resilience, and character through positive leadership and encouragement.

Known for his willingness to step in and help wherever needed, he brings a thoughtful, dependable, and community-minded presence to the team.

Together with his wife, a local principal, Jacob strongly believes in the importance of creating supportive environments where children and families can grow, connect, and thrive through compassion, education, service, and meaningful experiences with animals and nature.

Community Engagement Advisor

Kaiti is a teacher, wife, and mother who plays an essential supportive role within The Unicorn Initiative community. She brings a thoughtful and compassionate perspective to the organization through her ongoing support with family communication, event feedback, outreach, and community engagement.

Kaiti is passionate about helping families feel welcomed, connected, and included, and often assists in documenting special moments through photography and storytelling during events and programs. Her daughter has spent much of her early childhood around the animals at Todd Acres, helping nurture a deep sense of compassion and confidence.

As Community Engagement Advisor, Kaiti helps strengthen relationships within the community while supporting the organization’s mission of cultivating compassion, joy, and connection through meaningful animal-assisted experiences.

Alex & Candace Salisbury

Veteran & First Responder Outreach Advisors

Alex and Candace Salisbury support the organization’s mission of creating meaningful, community-centered experiences for children and families.

Alex is a local law enforcement officer and military reservist who is passionate about supporting first responder and veteran families through connection, community, and positive shared experiences. His background in public service brings valuable perspective to the organization’s outreach efforts and community partnerships.

Candace brings a warm, welcoming energy and a heart for creating memorable family experiences. Together, Alex and Candace are passionate about helping foster supportive, inclusive environments where families feel connected, encouraged, and valued.

Their family’s connection to Todd Acres began through their young daughter, who has always had a natural and instinctive draw toward animals. Through weekly horsemanship sessions at the farm, she has continued developing confidence, empathy, responsibility, and a deep love for animals — experiences that further strengthened the Salisbury family’s connection to the mission and values of the Unicorn Initiative.

As parents and active community members, Alex and Candace believe deeply in the importance of compassion, service, and creating opportunities for people to slow down, reconnect, and experience joy through animals, nature, and community.

Larry Todd

Strategic Partnerships & Sponsor Liaison

Larry serves as the Strategic Partnerships & Sponsor Liaison for The Unicorn Initiative, helping build meaningful relationships with businesses, community leaders, and supporters who believe in the power of connection, compassion, and animal-assisted outreach.

With more than 15 years of experience leading growth, partnerships, and business development initiatives in the technology and media industries, Larry brings a strategic and relationship-focused approach to expanding the organization’s impact throughout the community. His passion lies in creating partnerships that not only support the mission financially, but also foster long-term community engagement and visibility for the organizations involved.

Larry plays a key role in developing sponsorship opportunities, community collaborations, fundraising initiatives, and outreach programs that help The Unicorn Initiative deliver memorable experiences to children, families, veterans, seniors, first responders, hospice patients, and others navigating difficult life circumstances.

As a local resident, husband, father, and animal lover, Larry is deeply committed to helping create moments of joy, comfort, and connection through the unique experiences The Unicorn Initiative provides.