Prior to joining Polo for Life, Barbara had been at Lincoln Center for over 20 years creating and implementing a broad range of fundraising events generating $12 million in annual revenue. Her role included working very closely with the Chair and members of the Lincoln Center Board of Directors as well as representatives of Lincoln Center’s resident organizations.
Barbara directed and expanded events portfolio and had consistently grown net income. Her attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, and passionate commitment will serve her well partnering with local organizations to meet the needs of patients and their families.
Montana Coady
Board Member
Born and raised in Malibu, California. Been an equestrian her entire life. She has won numerous championships starting in the short stirrup at 4yrs old through her Amateur Owner Hunter years. Montana attended the University of Southern California (class of 2009). Upon graduating she attended the Gemological Institute of America and received her Graduate of Diamonds degree.
She is a private jeweler/jewelry designer and started Coady Culha with partner Bert Culha in 2011. Coady Culha specializes in bespoke high-end jewelry. She has been involved in many charities including Best Buddies, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Tennessee Riverkeeper, Waterkeeper Alliance, Co-Chair for St. Matthews's Christmas Faire 2023 & 2024, USC Associate Member. In 2009 she started the Coady Scholarship for Summer Interns which provided for 2 politically driven students to take internships all over that were focused on public policy. She also served on the board of the Washington International Horse Show.
Rob Gray
Board Member
Rob Gray is the co-founder of T&R Development. He was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. Rob grew up in a family of competitive riders and spent his entire life in the equestrian industry. Rob moved to Wellington, FL, at 18 years old and started his first company, Gray Equestrian Services LLC.
In 2015, while managing Vlock Show Stables, Rob teamed up with fellow equestrian, Teddy Vlock, and co-founded T&R Development. Their real estate firm has vastly grown with holdings of more than $50 million. The knowledge and network that Rob has developed over the past 10 years is what makes him key in analyzing opportunities within the market and developing premier equestrian property.
Benjamin Randall
Board Member
Benjamin Randall is a passionate philanthropist and experienced professional with a diverse background. He works with the Randall family office, which includes Randall Realty Group, specializing in national and international real estate investments, and Randall Capital Group, focusing on private equity, startups, and diverse investment opportunities. Benjamin’s accomplishments include holding several patents, with his first granted at the age of 17. He is also the founder of the Randall Scholars program at Pepperdine University, an initiative designed to empower students to apply their knowledge while creating meaningful change in the world. Through this program, he has provided opportunities for young scholars to make a positive impact locally and globally. As a member of the Randall Family Foundation, Benjamin is deeply committed to advancing education, cancer research, and mental health initiatives.
Benjamin grew up surrounded by horses and has been riding since the age of four. This passion led to his discovery of polo, and after his first lesson with Polo4Life founder Brandon Phillips in March 2024, he was captivated by the sport’s therapeutic and energizing qualities. Inspired by Brandon’s story and Polo4Life’s mission to support families of pediatric cancer patients, Benjamin is dedicated to helping the charity grow its impact. In addition to these efforts, Benjamin actively participates in several other organizations focused on addressing global challenges and creating a brighter future.
Rita A. Reik, MD
Board Member
Dr. Reik serves as Chief Medical Office for OneBlood, Inc., where she oversees OneBlood’s physicians, and the operational areas of Mesical Servic, Cellular Therapy, Education and Research. Her scope of practice and training includes pediatric transfusion medicine - an area involving sickle cell disease, hematology, oncology and trauma. She serves as the CLIA Laboratory Director of Nemours Childrens Hospital in Orlando. She is board-certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, as well as Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine, and Forensic Pathology. She formerly served as Chief Medical Officer for America’s Blood Centers, working with national and international blood bankers to address emerging global threats to the safety of the blood supply and maintain worldwide standards for transfusion safety.
Dr. Reik’s experience includes serving as Senior Medical Officer for the American Red Cross (ARC) Biomedical Services at its National Headquarters in Washington, DC. She was ARC’s Director of National Operations for the Center for Cell Therapy. Dr. Reik served as Vice-Chair of the Department of Pathology at Memorial Regional Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale Florida and was Director of Transfusion Medicine Services for the system’s six hospitals including their Childrens Hospital. She is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine, and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. She did her residency and specialty training at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. She is a regional Principal Investigator for the NIH/NHLBI Transfusion-Transmissible Infections Monitoring System. She has published research papers on disaster preparedness and new emerging diseases and their significance to the blood supply.
She is also co-founder of a non-profit equine rescue and sanctuary.
PJ Rizvi
Board Member
PJ Rizvi has been involved with Polo for Life since the beginning. As Event Co-chair for the past seven years, PJ has been instrumental in producing PFL’s flagship fundraising event, Polo for a Purpose.
PJ tirelessly contributes to the event resulting in exponential growth year after year. Having lost her sister, Penny, to leukemia, PJ is motivated to help find a cure for blood cancers as well as help families facing the exact same challenge her family experienced.
“All the money in the world could not save my sister, but maybe the money we raise at this event might prevent another family from the tragedy and heartache we suffered”, said Rizvi.
