Neda DeMayo, president and founder of Return to Freedom, has worked for over twenty years on wild horse and burro issues with a focus on solutions, and is a recognized authority on wild horse behavior. Neda works nationally to elevate the status of America’s wild horse and burros through advocacy, education, media, programs, and events.

With a vision to create a sanctuary model to explore minimally invasive wild horse management that could be viable on the range, she founded Return to Freedom in 1997. She speaks at national press conferences, educational venues, rotary clubs, public and private venues, and she has held government contracts to remove horses on horseback to sanctuary so they would not be dispersed or slaughtered.

Neda has also been a hired consultant for a feasibility study for a large preserve in the state of New Mexico. In 2004, after a trek into some of Nevada’s public land Herd Management Areas (HMAs), Neda founded the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) to protect the free-ranging lifestyle of America’s wild horses on the range for generations to come as part of our national heritage.

She recruited attorney Virginie Parant to help her create a coalition of a diverse range of public interest groups, animal welfare and environmental organizations, to share a unified voice and coalition to support America’s wild horses and burros on federal and state lands. The AWHPC was conceived, not as a new group nor a fundraising entity, but as a united platform to engage a firm grassroots base.

Prior to devoting her life to wild horse and burro preservation, Neda was successful both in the Holistic Healing arts and later in fashion and costume for theatre, film, and print. Her clients included A-list actors and working with publicity teams developing actors from unknown or character actor to lead.

In 1998, Neda began developing Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary on a 300-acre ranch located in the rolling, coastal hills of Lompoc, California. With the help of family, friends, and volunteers, she was able to launch a model for minimally intrusive wild horse management and ecotourism to build a small support base. After a few years, Return to Freedom was able to hire staff and, with limited funding, maintain a high standard of equine care and ranch management. The facility, once run down and used for chicken breeding and cattle, has been transformed into a humble but enchanting sanctuary and educational center hosting over 1,000 guests annually and reaching tens of thousands of people every year through advocacy, programs, and events.

Today, Return to Freedom (RTF) provides care and refuge in three locations for over 400 wild horses and 29 burros who have been captured and removed from state or federal lands. RTF has pioneered minimally-intrusive, natural management of wild horses utilizing Native PZP fertility control, a method that has allowed the sanctuary to maintain horses in their natural social bands.

Neda is currently focused on strengthening Return to Freedom’s educational programs on and off the range, and establishing a self-sustaining Wild Horse and Burro Conservancy and Wilderness Preserve with the support of the RTF Board of Directors and friend and actor Robert Redford.

Susan comes to Return to Freedom with over 12 years of non-profit operational management experience as the Finance Manager for one of the largest volunteer-based United Nations-affiliated NGOs in the US. She supported the outreach activities of thousands of volunteers in overseeing 2,700+ annual courses and events. Prior to her non-profit work Susan spent time in the medical device manufacturing industry in clinical research.

Susan earned a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies, with an emphasis in Resource Management, from UC Santa Barbara. While studying under Roderick Nash she was inspired by his work in environmental ethics, preservation of wilderness, the rights of nature, and shaping environmental law. Susan interned with the National Park Service in residence on a remote BLM Herd Management Area in southeastern Utah supporting Canyonlands National Park’s conservation activities. While there she witnessed firsthand the complex range management issues related to livestock and wild horses and burros.

Susan is a Connecticut native and 30-year resident of Santa Barbara County. She is a life-long lover of horses and all things equine. In her free time Susan enjoys hiking trips in our national parks and exploring the canyon country of the southwest. She’s extremely excited to have the opportunity to share her non-profit and environmental experience in support of Return to Freedom’s important mission.

Karen worked on horse ranches and farms in her younger years. As an adult she enjoyed a long career in banking. A few years ago, Karen began her relationship with Return to Freedom as an office volunteer.

She joined the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary staff as Office Manager in 2011. Karen has a profound love for all animals and enjoys working with them. She is particularly devoted to the ranch cats and at any given time you will see a few of them lounging on various perches around her office!

Celeste is a biologist who started her career studying marine ecology at University of California, Santa Cruz (BA Biology, 1994). She spent years working with marine mammals and invertebrates along the California and Oregon Coasts. Environmental outreach and science education were a large part of her focus while working for South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and then Oregon State Parks. Her passion for horses eventually outweighed her love of marine mammals and she returned to Oregon State University to acquire a post-baccalaureate degree in Animal Science with an equine emphasis. Celeste first joined the RTF staff as an equine manager in 2005. She received training in wildlife fertility control from the Science and Conservation Center and has managed RTF’s fertility control program since 2010. She continues to be a presenter at various conservation conferences in the U.S. She quite enjoys the combination of education, horses, and meaningful scientific work towards the best in-the-wild management we have available today.  One foot is squarely planted in the world of science and the other in the world of horse conservation.

Ryan is an avid outdoorsman and ardent conservationist, passionate about all things related to public lands and natural resource management. Ryan comes to RTF with a diverse background and career in the conservation and natural resource management field.
While studying at Cabrillo College, he began his career working in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay Area on a Natural Resource and Fire Management Crew for the California State Parks on projects to control invasive species and to protect sensitive and endangered species of flora and fauna using prescribed fire to reestablish the natural fire regime and restore the ecosystem. While continuing to pursue his education, Ryan worked for CAL FIRE in various positions in the Northern California Region, including Firefighter and Communications Operator, serving on a command team for large incidents.
In 2017, Ryan left state service and returned to school full-time to finish a bachelor’s Degree. During his undergraduate years, Ryan won many awards, including the Student Symposium, Up-and-Coming Scholar, Lin M. Nelson Award for Leadership and Civic Engagement, and was a Valedictorian Nominee. In 2020 Ryan graduated from Sierra Nevada University in Incline Village, Nevada, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies with disciplines of Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Art. Ryan also holds Associate Degrees in Art of Art Photography and Liberal Arts and Sciences, an Associate Degree in Science of Fire Technology, and a Certificate in Historic and Alternative Photographic Process from Cabrillo College.
Immediately after graduating in 2020, Ryan began working for a government contractor, leading crews conducting mine reclamation and wildlife habitat protection projects in the Western US for state and federal partners. Here, he honed his skills working remotely, managing complex projects with multiple cooperators and stakeholders in extreme terrain and weather conditions. In this position, he spent an average of 200 nights a year camping in the field, leading survey work and field projects such as inventories, bat gate construction, backfilling and plugging mine shafts and adits, and fencing physical hazards.
When not busy working, Ryan enjoys the public lands of Northern California and Nevada by hiking, cycling, fishing, four-wheeling, and camping in all forms. If he’s not outside or with his family and dogs, he’s probably in his shop or art studio, making something with his hands or working on equipment.

Annalee Knutson grew up in Southern Oregon where her great-grandfather trained Clydesdale horses and her grandfather oversaw the Jackson County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse. She attended and graduated Portland State University with two bachelor of science degrees on a dance scholarship. She moved to Los Angeles and went to work in the fitness industry. After earning a BFA from Otis Parsons Annalee worked as a freelance illustrator and fine artist. Since 2002, she has lived and worked on ranches throughout the Santa Ynez Valley and Hawaii including Rancho San Julian, The Alisal, Princeville Ranch on Kawaii and Lahaina Animal Farms on Maui. Her life has come full circle back to Return to Freedom having worked on and off for over 22 years. Favorite pastimes include country music venues and wine tasting with her husband. She also enjoys riding, paddling and art.

Satya Keyes is an integral part of RTF’s team, providing program and equine care support. A lifelong musician and meditator, Satya brings levity and positivity to all situations. Satya came to Return to Freedom 7 years ago after discovering a deep connection with horses only six months before while volunteering at HEARTS Therapeutic Riding Center in Santa Barbara.

“I felt at home the first day I set foot on RTF’s sanctuary in Lompoc, California. I volunteered in the early years and was fortunate to learn about America’s wild horses from my first holistic liberty trainer, RTF’s founder Neda DeMayo”, Satya said.

Satya then pursued extended learning about and from horses with Carolyn Resnick (Carolyn Resnick Method) through an intensive internship with her in Escondido, CA.

In 2021 he had the opportunity at RTF to shadow and work with international trainer Callie King of Horseclass.com. for two years. Callie takes a science based, holistic approach, considering the health and soundness of the horse, the suitability of saddle and tack, and the individuality of each horse and rider with positive reinforcement, incorporating the newest information and research on psychology, behavior, and learning.

“I’ve been so lucky to learn from the very best. These women have shown me the finer ways with horses”, said Satya.

A Reiki Master , Satya loves to serve the wild mustangs and burros in every way he can through advocacy, care and feeding, Reiki, massage, music and gratitude.

The physical and mental well-being of animals and the protection of the environment have always been the subjects of Sarah Romberger’s passion and focus. While studying ecological, organismal, and evolutionary biology at California State University, Fresno, she began her professional experience in animal care as a zookeeper, caring for over 100 different species which included tigers, orangutans, sea lions, and a multitude of others. Over the course of her decade-long zookeeping career she became Lead Zookeeper and Scuba Diving Safety Officer, advocating for the protection of natural habitats, educating the public, and focusing her efforts on the health and welfare of the animals in her care and their counterparts in the wild. Upon returning home to Lompoc, she volunteered to help at Return to Freedom and never left! She could not be more thrilled to now be caring for the amazing, inspirational animals at RTF and advocating for the protection and preservation of wild horses and burros and their habitats. Sarah’s upbeat personality and enthusiasm is refreshing and we are all so happy to welcome her to the team!

Jimmy Guerrero joined Return to Freedom’s ranch team in 2023. Jimmy came to RTF after spending many years as a devoted and loyal ranch hand for a private ranch. When that ranch was sold, we were lucky enough to cross paths! A team player who can do just about everything AND the horses like him!

Marina is a Santa Barbara native, born and raised. Horses have been a passion of hers since she was a toddler. She grew up active in a few different sports, but knew working with horses was her calling. Marina graduated from Averett University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Equestrian Studies and a concentration in Business Management. She joins our equine care team after many years as a working professional in the equestrian community at hunter/jumper barns in Germany, Los Angeles, Goleta, and New Mexico. In her free time, she goes to the gym, hike, and enjoys the beach!

Marina with Fig!

Paulin joined the team with his brother Merced over 15 years ago and have made it look easy to maintain the daily operations of the sanctuary. They know the horses and pace themselves with confidence and good humor.

Caitlinn was born in Washington and moved around a lot, but she always found her way back to San Luis Obispo, California. Her lifelong passion and love for animals has grown into a desire to learn about regenerative practices and holistic ways to improve and restore our environment. Although she didn’t grow up with horses, she has carried a love for them her entire life. Caitlinn is pursuing a Bachelors in Environmental Management and Protection at Cal Poly to further develop her skills in conservation and environmental protection and restoration.

Her dream is to one day own her own ranch where she can implement the knowledge and practices she acquires from her experience at Return to Freedom and her studies. Outside of work she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, cats, and creating art.

Technical Project Manager | Regenerative Grazing Manager

Aaron Thayne is a seasoned Technical Project Manager with a unique blend of skills in product development, operations management, and regenerative grazing.

With over 16 years of experience at Return to Freedom, he has held a variety of management positions at RTF and has excelled in managing the health, natural hoof care and well-being of over 300 wild horses and 50 burros while overseeing ranch operations and staff training. Most recently, Aaron is integrating regenerative holistic grazing management to his skillset!

Aaron’s technical acumen is complemented by his certifications as a private pilot with instrument and complex endorsements, a multi-engine rating, and a Six Sigma Green Belt in Lean manufacturing. Additionally, he further showcases his multimedia experience through editing videos and audio for The Biota Institute and Return to Freedom. His diverse background includes significant roles in inventory management, R&D, and production engineering across various industries.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management and additional qualifications in Aerospace Technology and Aviation Science. His academic achievements include being recognized on the Dean’s List three times. Recognized for his contributions to sustainable practices and innovative solutions, he is dedicated to driving progress in technical and environmental domains.