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.

Gina McLeod

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

Lora DeMello

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. Her WABT journey began when her daughter, now 19, was diagnosed at age seven with several ‘hidden’ unique needs, including OCD, ADD, GAD, and Cyclothymia, and her son, now 17, was diagnosed with ADHD at age six. Additionally, being recently re-married, Lora is now also stepmom to her two stepsons, ages 13 and 11 who, combined, carry a variety of diagnoses including: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PDA, depression, anxiety, and a rare blood 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.

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

Gina McLeod is a retired Deloitte Tax Principal. She has 25 years of experience in public accounting and tax law, serving a broad range of public and private clients across many industries.

Gina has served in various philanthropic roles, including founding the United Way of Greater Los Angeles Emerging Leaders Council and as a Director for the Board of the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. In 2011, Gina was recognized as a finalist by the Los Angeles Business Journal Women Making a Difference awards in the Rising Star category. She has twice been awarded the Honor Pin by Girl Scouts USA.

Gina is passionate about issues impacting caregiving parents, especially those involving mental health of teens. Gina is very excited to join the WABT Board and believes strongly in its mission.

Gina has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California San Diego, a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, and an LLM in Tax from Golden Gate University School of Law. She is a licensed attorney in the state of California. She is a single mother of two children, ages 19 and 17, and enjoys traveling and photography.

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

Angie Robinson is an advocate for the disability community, and an inspirational speaker whose goal is to empower all parents with the knowledge she’s gained over the past 20 years. She is a first time author, with her debut memoir coming soon, “Through the Eyes of Mom.” Angie is a Mexican American born and raised in San Diego, California. She is the daughter of immigrant parents from Tijuana B.C. She is the proud mother of three and is happily married to the love of her life, Daniel, who has been a light in her life. Angie hosts a weekly podcast, “The SPEDMom Podcast” in which she discusses a variety of topics related to raising a child with special needs. She shares the resources and guidance that helped her navigate the many systems that support her son. Her new life's mission is to teach other parents how to steer through the perilous waters of school boards, IEP’S and hospitals. She is the San Diego Connection Circle Leader for We Are Brave Together. Angie has a zest for life. Despite the many challenges she faces, she makes it a priority to live life to the fullest. Angie maintains a positive outlook in life and loves to help those in need.