Micaela Brancato

Micaela Brancato is the founding inspiration behind Holbrook Farms Retreat. She is currently serving as a Group Commander in the Michigan Air National Guard.

Micaela grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, and attended the United States Air Force Academy, where she studied Human Sciences and Engineering. After graduating in 2000, she served in various roles on active duty while stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico; Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina; and the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

From 2008 to 2014, Micaela served in the North Dakota Air National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. During that time, she and her husband, Matt, purchased the Holbrook Farms property and made Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, their home. The vision for hosting retreats for military survivors was born in 2011, following the loss of two friends in military-related fatalities.

In 2014, Micaela had the honor of serving at the Pentagon as a Strategic Communications and Executive Officer for the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force. In 2016, she assumed an Air National Guard command position in California, followed by attendance at the National Defense University from 2019 to 2020. After graduation, she served as Deputy Group Commander in Tennessee, and later returned to the Pentagon to work in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force from 2021 to 2023.

Micaela is also a certified yoga instructor, business owner, and wellness advocate who is deeply committed to serving the families of our fallen heroes.