Meet the Team
Melanie Romano
Co-Founder
Board President
Melanie loves living her life for Jesus and worshiping Him on her yoga mat. Spending time with her dog, horses, and donkeys is a highlight every day. She loves a full moon rising over the ocean almost as much as the sky when the sun is setting. Boating and the ocean, as well as horseback riding, nature trails, and mountain hikes, refresh her soul. Her love for her family is fervent. She is wife to Jimmy, Mom to Emilee & Madeline, Step-mom to Landon, Mom-in-law to Pitt, and most recently, Gram to her first Grandbaby, Henry. She holds her friendships very close to her heart. Hosting family and friends at Peaceful Pastures brings her much joy! Melanie loves people and has always been passionate about caring for others. She has been through many different forms of trauma during her lifetime. This has drawn her to support and be involved with several local nonprofits that provide hope for the hurting. She had no idea what God was up to when He began weaving together all the pieces for Peaceful Pastures. Melanie became a Christ-centered Yoga Instructor in 2018, completed a Christian Life Coaching course in 2020, and became certified in Biblically-based Equine Assisted Programming in 2023. She is humbled and so very thankful that God has chosen to give her this incredible life. She does not take for granted that she gets to do all the things she loves while caring for others and helping them connect more deeply with Christ.
Michael Constantino
Board VP
Michael has a career in healthcare that spans over 50 years. Areas of Expertise: Project Management, Strategic Cost Management, Pharmacy Procurement, Group Purchasing Operations & Contracting, Long-Term Care Operations. He is the Principal and founder of Synergy Consulting Associates, formerly a Team Leader for Strategic Cost Management with BD Healthcare Consulting Services, the President and CEO of the consulting firm Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a Senior Manager with Ryerson Management Associates and Vice President of Sales and Services at United Shared Services. He has managed projects ranging from small community-based healthcare facilities to large academic medical centers. When he isn’t managing healthcare you can find him playing golf, propagating hydrangeas, crepe myrtles & lemon trees, as well as working on outdoor projects at Peaceful Pastures. He loves Jesus and is very active with his church, he leads a small group bible study and he volunteers regularly with local charities. He has been married for 55 years, together with his wife Judy, they have five daughters, 15 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Jimmy Romano
Co-Founder
Board Member
Jimmy spends his days as the Service Manager at Jeff Gordon Chevrolet. He has worked in the service industry for 27 years. Helping people is something he really enjoys doing although it can be somewhat stressful. This is why he loves a good stress outlet, whether it be working out at the gym, fixing anything mechanical, building something with his own hands, or just working outdoors at Peaceful Pastures. Jimmy has a hard time being still. If he isn't doing some kind of physical labor, you will find him boating or watching anything that has to do with Alabama football. Jimmy does love a vacation, especially if it includes hiking. A dream of his is to one day hike the entire Appalachian Trail. He is in awe of how God brought Peaceful Pastures into being and is grateful that He has chosen him to be a part of it. Jimmy very much enjoys caring for the animals and the property of Peaceful Pastures.
Shannon Whitaker
Board Treasurer
Shannon was born in Michigan but has called Wilmington NC home for the last 30 years. She and her husband Josh have 2 amazing children, Gracelynn currently studying at Chapel Hill, and Geoffrey who attends Hoggard High School. Although they are dreading becoming empty nesters soon, they look forward to the next phase of life, especially if it involves travel! Shannon is on staff at Saltbox Church and leads their outreach initiative the Yellow Truck Coffee Company. She has always had a heart for ministries, has been involved in the start-up of several 501-C's, and is honored to be a member of the Peaceful Pastures board. By being a part of some of the first Christ-centered yoga classes Melanie led she has had a first-row seat watching her and Jimmy grow closer to God and His desires for them over the past 7 years. The way God has orchestrated every detail of this journey, and their obedience to His calling is truly remarkable and inspiring.
Theresa Kramer
Board Member
God has blessed me in many aspects of my life. Every day I get out of bed I get to help people. I own PT by the Sea, which has allowed me to do just that. The most exciting parts of my day are witnessing His miracle of healing our clients and sharing it with a staff of over 10 individuals. Through our wellness services I can share my love for the Lord while providing care to the clients. I am excited to bring my wellness knowledge to Peaceful Pastures and assist however I can. He has also blessed me in my family life. My sweet husband Peter, a family practice osteopathic physician, and 3 amazing young adult children who all love the Lord as well. We live on beautiful Wrightsville Beach where we enjoy surfing, all things in nature, swimming, boating, and long beach walks. Education: BS in Physical Therapy from St Louis University, certified Pilates Instructor, 200-hour Integrative Yoga Therapy Training (Santa Barbara CA), and 100-hour Holy Yoga certification training. Work: practice 38 years in Physical Therapy Born: St Louis Missouri Live: Carolinas since 1989 (minus 3 years in Maine) Passion: family travel, Italy, BVI, Sailboat chartering, Skiing in Big Sky Montana, Surf trips to Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Cali, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. Volunteer: WB Baptist Church, Missions Team, Water Ministry, A Safe Place, and Peaceful Pastures. Goals: Serve the Lord and give God the glory in all things good!
Michelle MacKay
Equine OT
In 2018, Michelle asked the Lord for direction and what He wanted her to do as a career. She learned about Occupational Therapy and began the process to receive her master’s degree. Michelle met Melanie and Jimmy through church community groups in May 2023. After spending time at Peaceful Pastures and hearing their vision, Michelle began to pray about possibilities of using her skills to provide services at Peaceful Pastures. Michelle has enjoyed spending time and getting to know Sammy, Piper, Pedro, Mary Jane, and Florence. She loves serving people and working with children. Michelle is a proud aunt to two little girls, whom she spends all her free time with. In addition to being with family, Michelle loves being around animals and spending time at the beach. She has an Australian Shepherd, Saylor.
Kendall Newton
board member
Kendall has called Wilmington home since moving here to attend UNCW in 1996. After completing a BA in Education and a M.Ed in Curriculum Instruction she jumped into teaching until she and her husband began a family in 2007. Being a stay at home mother to two active boys is a blessing beyond comparison. She and her husband own Cape Fear Games board game store and Kendall is active in church as a Bible study leader and her sons school as leader of the Parents in Prayer weekly group. In 2019-2021 she helped in development and planning of the Timothy Program, implemented in Myrtle Grove Christian School, to serve children with learning difficulties as well as exceptional learning. Experiencing the joy and peace of the outdoors is a daily priority for her so being a part of the Peaceful Pastures community has been a beautiful fit. It’s inspiring to see firsthand how the Lord uses His creation to express his love and care for us.
Anka Roberto, DNP, MPH, PMHNP-BC, APRN
Board Secretary
Anka Roberto is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), EMDR-certified clinician, and Associate Professor at UNC Wilmington, where she leads the PMHNP DNP program and founded the Well-being and Resilience Collaborative. A devoted wife, mother to Maya and Serena, and faithful Christian, she has witnessed God’s miracles in her family’s life, especially in their recovery from the Sandy Hook tragedy. With over 20 years in nursing and a decade as a PMHNP, she specializes in trauma and resilience-focused care at her private practice, Holistic Healing, PLLC. Passionate about faith-based healing and community resilience, she actively collaborates on initiatives supporting trauma recovery, including integrating music and equine therapy, which played a vital role in her families healing journey. Grounded in faith, she is committed to helping others find strength and restoration through life’s challenges. She has witnessed the benefits of the work of Peaceful Pastures through her daughter's sessions. She is looking forward to bringing the knowledge that God has given her and her education to the Peaceful Pastures team.
Matt Roberto
Board Member
Matt Roberto is a proud Marine Corps veteran with over 25 years of experience in heavy equipment operations, hauling, and trucking. Committed to service with integrity and faith, he continued his calling as a volunteer firefighter before joining the North Carolina Forestry Service as a heavy equipment operator and firefighter. Whether battling wildfires or maintaining forests, he sees his work as a mission to be a good steward of God’s creation. A devoted husband and father to Maya and Serena, Matt’s faith in Christ guides his work, family, and daily walk. He cherishes time spent with his family and their loyal Golden Retriever, Sammie, often exploring the country on camping trips. Through every challenge—military, firefighting, or fatherhood—Matt leans on his faith, trusting God’s plan and serving with humility and courage. Matt has some experience with being around horses and a lot of experience with physical labor that can be useful at Peaceful Pastures.