Meet The Board
Together with Jessica Patay, the members of our Board of Directors bring an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience that is shared through their commitment and dedication to all that is We Are Brave Together.
Brian Altounian's background includes business development, finance, operations and administration, and he has applied his skills to a variety of start-ups, Fortune 100 companies, and public and private organizations. He currently provides financial advice to individuals, families and companies, working in the areas of investments and insurance products and services through his Atlas Voyager Wealth Maximization Strategies and is the co-founder/co-host of a weekly podcast supporting the Special Needs community called Just Two Dads.
Altounian holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from UCLA. He recently served as Chairman of the Board of Managers of the Hollywood YMCA. He sits on the Board of YIC Unity, an educational program preparing young adults with disabilities for positions in music and entertainment.
Brian Altounian
Stephanie Fleck, originally from southern California, though with a short stint in New York, currently lives in Rancho Palos Verdes with her husband, Richard and her two teenage children, one of whom was diagnosed with an intellectual disability at age six. She’s worked in the refurbished environmental equipment industry for the past 30+ years and, yet, still found time to volunteer for several organizations including five years on Miraleste Intermediate School’s Booster Club Board, one year on their PTSA Board, seven years with Girl Scouts of America, five years as Committee Chair for her local Cub Scouts, two years as secretary of their HOA, and nine years on the Mira Catalina Elementary School PTA Board. Stephanie’s dedication to her community and the education of her children earned her the rare Golden Oak Service Award from the PVPUSD Parent Teacher Association. When she can, she enjoys cooking, music, dancing and reading. Stephanie is honored and touched to be a part of this wonderful and helpful WABT organization.
Stephanie Fleck
Anthony Rivello brings We Are Brave Together a combination of Madison Avenue marketing experience with an interpersonal approach that shapes his current career as a Personal Mentor supporting children on the spectrum for autism.
As an advertising executive at New York's leading agencies for over a quarter century, Anthony's career has focused on a range of clients, from not-for-profit and grass roots services to health care and government. His experience in strategic planning, program development, implementation and metrics tracking of direct marketing communications has been the driver for national and local campaigns ranging from patient education and engagement to loyalty and sales performance. For the past five years, Anthony has taken his unique personal experiences and re-established himself as a provider of personalized mentoring to young people on the spectrum for autism. Through an approach of individualized attention, he channels his direct communications background to provide social and academic support that is designed to empower self-esteem and social competency in a supportive relationship that is non-clinical or pathologized. Anthony lives in New York City with his teenage son and their 20-something year old tortoise, Bob.
Anthony Rivello
Natalie Handy
Natalie Elliott Handy, MSW, is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience in the health and human services sector. She is the CEO of CareForward, an innovative platform launched in 2023 that connects individuals in need with community volunteers and partner organizations, significantly enhancing the quality of life for both caregivers and care recipients.
Natalie is also the Co-Owner of Sisterhood of Care, which produces the global podcast Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver. Inspired by her own caregiving experiences, she co-hosts the podcast alongside her sister JJ Elliott-Hill. When her husband Jason was diagnosed with HPV-related head and neck cancer in 2022, Natalie self-identified as a caregiver for the first time. Together, she and her sisters also provide daily support for their mother, who has lived with Parkinson’s disease for over 22 years. Since 2019, they have been her full-time caregivers, a journey that led to the creation of CareForward in 2023.
In addition, Natalie is the Founder of Handy Innovative Solutions, where she partners with child welfare and behavioral health systems to help build strong, resilient families. Her work centers on supporting at-risk children and families connected to the foster care system, with a specialty in placement navigation for hard-to-place foster youth.
Natalie is a sought-after speaker and trainer on caregiving and mental health. With more than 300K monthly downloads across 54 countries, her podcast shares unfiltered caregiver stories, provides emotional support, and offers educational training for caregivers and professionals at no cost. A strong advocate, she is committed to bridging service gaps and driving systemic change.
Natalie holds a BA in Psychology from Hollins College and an MSW from West Virginia University. Based in Virginia, she lives with her husband, Jason, and their two dogs, Ace and Daisy.
Lora DeMello (fka Ackermann) hails from the whole west coast having lived in Oregon, Washington, and now California. She has extensive experience participating on non-profit boards and with a multitude of organizations throughout the whole west coast, including the local PTA Board, 1st VP and President of Cornerstone Elementary School Board in Rancho Palos Verdes, and as Treasurer/Member at Large of Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates, a division of an international organization that supports children in need around the world and locally. Lora is a master educator who writes and implements specialized curricula as well as grants for education and engagement experiences. In addition, Lora brings over 25 years of leadership development training, a background in art, business, communication, team-dynamics, innovation, stress-management and empowerment to our organization.
Lora is mom and stepmom to her blended family of four children, ranging in age from 13-21. Combined, her children navigate many ‘hidden’ unique needs including: OCD, ADHD, Autism, PDA, a rare blood disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder and Cyclothymia (Bi-Polar 3 Disorder).
Lora has a passion for empowering people through connection, art, the written word, and interactive experiences and she is truly honored to be a part of this WABT community.
Lora DeMello
OTHER TEAM MEMBERS:
Podcast Editor/Producer: Hannah K. Parsons
Webmasters: Mollie Wilkinson, Andrew Wilkinson, Jason Cremeen
Administrative Assistant: Noel Heaney
Program Assistant: Alicia Gates
Social Media Management: Wholesome Media
Connection Circle Leader Mentor: Jessica Patay
Bookkeeper: Erin VanDerVeen
Accountant: Rick Lavezzari, CPA
Attorney: Christopher Patay, Esq.
Blog Director: Karen Brothers