Board of Directors

Cloud and Fire Ministries is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of professionals from diverse backgrounds. The Board Members serve as Champions in the community for CFM, and help to develop and leverage the organization’s resources. The Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Executive Director have participated in the Annenberg Alchemy Leadership Training Seminar, and utilize the methods taught there to ensure that CFM’s Board functions at optimum efficiency.

Board Members

Advisory Board

Saul Espinoza
Rev. Domingo Mota
Catherine Powell

Biographical Information

Board Chair: Gayle Rietmulder, C.P.A,
Currently the Controller of the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission, Gayle has also served as the COO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. She has 25 years of experience in financial leadership and seven in non-profit management. She is a member of the AICPA, California Societies of CPAs and the Junior League of Greater Los Angeles, and was a founding member and Treasurer of Imagine L.A., A City Where No Child Sleeps on the Streets. She has also served as Treasurer with the Junior League of Harrisburg, PA; Perry County Council of the Arts, and Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland County.

Vice Chair: Randy Powell, M.S., M.F.T.
Randy is the Clinical Director at Journeys Counseling and Former Director of the Counseling Center at Vanguard University. In addition to his private practice, he also trains and supervises M.F.T. interns.

Treasurer: Gloria Nelund
Gloria Nelund has extensive experience in the Asset Management and Wealth Management industry, including service as the Head of Deutshce Bank’s U.S. Private Wealth Management Group and as a Member of Deutsche Bank’s Global Executive Committee for Private Wealth Management and a Senior Partner of DB Group. She has also held executive positions at Scudder Private Investment Counsel and Bank of America/Security Pacific. She currently serves as an Independent Trustee for RS Investments’ $20 billion mutual fund complex and serves as a Board Member for several nonprofit organizations.

Secretary: Carole Walker
Retired Special Education Para-Educator for the Los Angeles Unified School District. She has worked with special needs, at-risk, high-risk, and incarcerated youth for more than 20 years. Carole is a Certified Anger Management Instructor and co-developer of the True Freedom Anger Management curriculum.

Rene Barajas
Computer Technician and College Student. Rene is a lifelong resident of North Hills, a Los Angeles Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) Zone. As a youth, he participated in CFM programs for over seven years, and is now a CFM spokesperson and advocate.

Elisabet Hernandez Lopez
Los Angeles City College Counselor/Care Coordinator. Liz has served as counselor at numerous educational institutions in Los Angeles, and has been project director of multiple community improvement organizations, including the Latino Coalition for Faith and Community Initiatives. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Chicano Studies, and a Master of Science in Student Development in Higher Education.

Pride Metcalf
Project Manager for Southern California Gas Company, specializing in energy reduction projects. Pride is an ordained minister in Trans World Missions, a group that helps indigenous people groups start churches throughout North and Central America. He has worked for the past 10 years as a volunteer with at-risk and high-risk youth in one of the Los Angeles GRYD Zones.

Teddi Penewell
President of M.R.S. OSHA Safety, a consulting firm that specializes in safety training and compliance. She has also been an advocate for abused youth and incarcerated youth.

Melody Rossi
Founder and Executive Director of Cloud and Fire Ministries. Melody is ordained through Trans World Missions, and is a member of their Board of Directors. She is a former Special Education teacher for in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she taught in inner-city schools. She has been an Adjunct Faculty member at Vanguard University, and has more than 15 years experience with at-risk and high-risk youth. Melody is a Certified Anger Management Instructor, and along with Carole Walker, is co-developer of the CFM True Freedom Anger Management curriculum. She also serves on the Board of the Cantinas Ranch Foundation.

Robert Walker
Retired Getty Research Institute Photography Department Supervisor, photography instructor, and founding board member of Cloud and Fire Ministries.

Saul Espinoza
Mr. Espinoza is currently a college student. He is a past participant of CFM youth programs and resides in a City of Los Angeles Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) Zone.

Rev. Domingo Mota
Pastor of Winds of Hope Church in Shadow Hills, California, and faculty member of Community Christian College in Sun Valley, California.

Catherine Powell
Ms. Powell is an award-winning elementary school teacher who teaches sixth grade in the Newport-Mesa School District.