Board of Trustees

Karen Crane is a Virginia native, lifelong equestrian, and Chairman of the Great Meadow Foundation. Raised on Ridgeview Farm in The Plains, she began riding at age three and went on to build a successful early career training and breaking horses. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a master’s degree in landscape architecture, Karen founded her own firm in 1986, leading prominent community design projects across Northern Virginia before retiring at age 50. Deeply rooted in the region’s equestrian heritage, she has been involved with Great Meadow for more than 35 years and is a Life Founding Member. Karen also serves as President of the Warrenton Horse Show Foundation and has held leadership roles within the Virginia polo community, while remaining active in hunting, racing, and polo. She and her husband, Michael, are proud to share their commitment to preserving the traditions and open spaces that define this special community.

Dulany grew up on the farm and spent summers working with horses in his family barns and maintaining the estate’s grounds. He went on to take a degree from the University of Virginia, where he met his future wife, Elle, and in 2011 they returned to the farm to begin an extensive renovation. Although his primary business today is in finance, he still enjoys assisting with the horses and working on the farm almost every day. Dulany is a member of the Orange County Hounds and Piedmont Fox Hounds.

Passionate about land preservation and supporting equestrian traditions, he is an active in several local nonprofits. He currently serves as Chair of the PFH Conservation Fund, Chair of the Riparian Buffer Program of the Goose Creek Association, Vice Chair of the Land Trust of Virginia, Vice Chair of the Piedmont Fox Hounds, Vice Chair of the Great Meadow Foundation, President of the Willisville Preservation Foundation and Chair Emeritus of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association.

Richard V. Spencer is a business leader and former U.S. Secretary of the Navy, serving from 2017 to 2019. A former U.S. Marine Corps aviator, he built a distinguished career in finance and executive leadership, including senior roles on Wall Street and in private investment firms. Throughout his career, Spencer has been recognized for his commitment to public service, national defense, and organizational leadership. His experience spans military service, corporate governance, and federal leadership at the highest levels, bringing a depth of strategic insight and dedication to mission-driven institutions.

Peter Arundel is a veteran business owner, CEO, and serial entrepreneur who has built, acquired, and sold multiple companies over a 40-plus-year career, while also founding several nonprofit organizations. With deep experience across all facets of management, he advises business owners on building strong leadership teams and scalable systems to drive long-term value. Peter grew up at Great Meadow, is a Founding Life Member, and proudly continues the legacy of his father, the Founder of Great Meadow.

Joined the Great Meadow Foundation Board of Trustees in November 2024. Loran is head of the Communications Committee.

Gregory S. Grigorian is a Partner at Sheppard Mullin, practicing in the firm’s Finance and Bankruptcy, Real Estate, and Corporate groups in Washington, D.C. and New York . His practice focuses on real estate finance, corporate finance, and large-scale data center development, representing private equity firms, banks, developers, and institutional investors in complex debt and equity transactions, including bridge and construction loans totaling more than $2 billion. He holds a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, an M.B.A. from American University, and is admitted to practice in New York, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Paula Michaels is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, and Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She joined the Great Meadow Foundation Board of Trustees in January 2026 and is also a proud member of the Piedmont Hunt.

Robert Daniel Stryk is an American businessman and public affairs professional who has founded several successful ventures and is the Proprietor of Pyrenees Vineyard and Cellars in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley AVA. Raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, he began his career in public service working for U.S. Senator John McCain and later served in congressional offices and on national political campaigns, including for President George W. Bush, the National Rifle Association, and the Republican National Committee.

Birge Watkins is a new member of the Great Meadow Board of Trustees. He has been keenly involved with land conservation efforts for twenty years and is an avid fan of horse racing and polo.

Activities include current Director and former Chairman of the Land Trust of Virginia, Chairman of the Fauquier Parks Foundation, Chairman of the Vint Hill Community Enrichment Fund, Vice Chairman of the Council for American Universities Abroad, former Chairman and Commissioner of the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority, and former At-Large Councilmember for the Town of Warrenton.

His business background includes real estate and financial investment, higher educational ventures, and he currently sits on a number of corporate boards as a director or advisor including a hedge fund of funds, an agribusiness enterprise, and a materials recycling company.

He served as Staff Assistant to the President (Ford) for Economic Affairs at The White House and staff member of the President’s Council on International Economic Policy, Assistant Director of the President’s Task Force on International Private Enterprise (Reagan), Deputy Assistant Secretary of USDA (Bush I), and senior positions with USAID and the Resolution Trust Corporation.

He holds a BA from Alma College, a MBA from London Business School and a MPA from Harvard University.