BraveHearts Equine Center Leadership Team

List of Directors

David Waronker, Director and Owner, pictured with an adopted horse on the farm

David Waronker

Director and Owner

David is an American real estate investor and president of CBD Real Estate Investment LLC. He has a lifelong passion for sports and the outdoors. A few years ago, he and his wife Ruth began rescuing horses in need from kill pens. To realize their shared goal of helping equines, they purchased a farm in the heart of Kentucky that is now BraveHearts Equine Center (Bluegrass Drafts LLC.)

Ruth Waronker, Director and Owner, pictured with a rescued horse on the farm.

Ruth Waronker

Director and Owner

Ruth is an avid horse-lover and takes great joy in horseback riding, especially with her children. A few years ago, Ruth and her husband David began rescuing horses and decided to take helping equines to another level. Together, they are the owners and founders of BraveHearts Equine Center. Ruth believes it is a dream come true to help these gentle souls get a second chance and is often inspired by this passage from Black Beauty, “We don’t get to choose the people in our lives. For us, it’s all chance.”

Raj Balkaran

Raj Balkaran

Controller

Raj, controller of Bluegrass Drafts LLC, has been active in finance and real estate investment for most of his career. He had been working as the controller for CBD Real Estate Investment LLC for 22 years. Raj is excited to be part of the best at BraveHearts Equine Center and Raj uses his expertise to help the farm delegate resources to help equines in need.

Tatyana Matveeva

Tatyana Marveev

Tatyana is a life-long animal lover and supporter of rescue efforts for animals. She met David and Ruth in 2017 after having admired their enormous efforts to save animals over the course of 6 years. She had the privilege of witnessing the transformation dozens of horses lived through after being rescued by Dave and Ruth from difficult circumstances and being nursed back to health and happiness, and learning from Dave and Ruth about the incredible love, dedication, and generosity they devote to the horses each and every day. Tatyana’s favorite horse, George, is one of the lucky animals in Dave and Ruth’s care, just like many others who have joined the pastures of BraveHearts Rescue.

Erica Bivens

Public Relations Specialist & Philanthropy Director

Erica Bivens is the Public Relations Specialist & Philanthropy Director with BraveHearts Equine Center. Erica worked in the TV News industry for 15 years as a News Anchor and Reporter. She also served as Assistant News Director and daytime Executive Producer.

Erica believes in volunteerism and has immersed herself in the community by frequently hosting events, serving as an emcee or lending a helping hand any chance she gets. She is also a board member with Veterans Club, Inc. and helped connect the organization with BraveHearts Equine Center which now together hosts the monthly Equine Facilitated Mentoring Program. As an avid animal lover and champion for nonprofits, she hopes to marry the two passions to help as many animals as possible.

Animal Handlers and Caretakers

Arturo Munoz with Hayley

Arturo

Sergio

Jesus Herrera with Silas

Chuy

Martin

Volunteering Opportunities

If you are interested in joining our team or volunteering to assist equines at our facility, please get in touch with us for information on how to help.