Meet the Team
Melanie Romano
Co-Founder
Board President
Melanie lives her life for Jesus, and everything she does flows from that foundation. Her mornings begin with quiet time and breath & movement practices that center her heart. Time on the ocean, horseback riding, wandering nature trails, and hiking in the mountains all refresh her soul. Daily moments with her horses and donkeys are among her greatest joys. Whether she’s watching the full moon rise over the water, soaking in a stunning sunset, or stargazing from her backyard, Melanie is always in awe of God’s creation. Her love for her family is fervent. She is wife to Jimmy, mom to Emilee and Madeline, step-mom to Landon, mom-in-law to Pitt, and “Gah” to her cherished grandson, Henry. She treasures her friendships and finds great joy in hosting loved ones at Peaceful Pastures. Melanie has always had a heart for people. Her own journey through trauma has shaped her compassion and her desire to walk alongside the hurting. Over the years, she has partnered with several local nonprofits that bring hope and healing to those in need. She didn’t know exactly what God was doing when He began bringing together the pieces that would become Peaceful Pastures, but looking back, the path is clear. Melanie became a Christ-centered yoga instructor in 2018, completed a Christian Life Coaching certification in 2020, and became certified in Biblically-based equine-assisted programming in 2023. Each step prepared her for the ministry she now leads. Melanie is humbled and grateful for the life God has entrusted to her. She sees it as a gift to spend her days doing what she loves, caring for others, partnering with her beloved herd, and helping people slow down, breathe deeply, and connect more fully with Christ.
Kendall Newton
Vice President
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.
Jimmy Romano
Co-Founder
Director of Grounds Maintenance
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 Cooper
Board Treasurer
Shannon is a financial professional at Capital Securities Management. She is a loving wife to her husband, Dwaine, a mother of four, and a proud grandmother of five. Shannon was first introduced to horses as a preteen at Miracle Mountain Ranch in Pennsylvania, where her appreciation for them began. She discovered Peaceful Pastures while searching for local exercise classes and found our Breath and Movement gatherings just around the corner. Through that connection, she experienced firsthand the care and community that Peaceful Pastures offers. With a natural heart for serving others and a deep love for people, Shannon was inspired to become part of the healing work taking place here.
Melissa Kemlage
Board Secretary
Melissa is the owner of Peaceful Balance Counseling & Wellness, where she specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety and heal from trauma with compassion, authenticity, and hope. As a mom of three boys, Melissa understands firsthand the beauty and chaos of real life and she brings that grounded, relatable perspective into her work with clients. Born and raised in southeastern Massachusetts, Melissa spent over 20 years visiting Wilmington before making it home six and a half years ago. She has a deep love for camping, traveling, and adventure, and feels most refreshed when exploring new places, whether that’s soaking in the beauty of the beach, recharging in the mountains, or discovering somewhere new with her family. She also loves spending time at the gym with her gym family, where she finds strength, accountability, and community. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her cheering on the Red Sox, rooting for the Patriots, enjoying live music, or spending time outdoors. A lifelong horse lover, Melissa integrates the powerful connection between humans and horses into her therapeutic work, incorporating equine-assisted approaches to help clients heal both heart and mind. She believes true healing happens holistically, by looking at the whole person and their environment, not just symptoms. Her mini pony, along with her dogs and cat, are joyful reminders of the comfort, grounding, and connection animals bring to the healing process. Melissa’s journey into equine work was unexpected and deeply meaningful. She was introduced to Peaceful Pastures through a mistaken email that was accidentally sent to her for an event she wholeheartedly believes was more than coincidence. Melissa sees it as a message from God and a pivotal moment that affirmed her calling to integrate faith, healing, and the equine connection in her work. Melissa’s long-term dream is to own and operate an equine therapy retreat farm, a peaceful space where individuals can step away from daily stressors, reconnect with themselves, and experience meaningful transformation in a restorative natural setting. At her core, Melissa is driven by faith, family, adventure, community, and a deep commitment to helping others find balance, strength, and restoration.
Brittney Maslach
Board Member
Brittney has been passionate about animals for as long as she can remember, with a lifelong love for horses and equine care. She has dedicated herself to learning about animal care, earning formal education in the field to better serve the creatures she holds dear. As a member of the board for Peaceful Pastures, Brittney is thrilled to combine her lifelong love of riding and her deep commitment to animal welfare by contributing to the equine program. She is excited to be part of an organization that brings healing, comfort, and joy to both animals and people alike, and looks forward to helping Peaceful Pastures continue its important mission.
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.