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 dogs, horses, and donkeys is a highlight everyday. 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 life time. This has drawn her to support and be involved with several local nonprofits that provide hope for the hurting. She is an active participant at Saltbox Church, greeting people at the welcome table and hosting a small group.
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 Programing 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 5 daughters, 15 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.
Kathy Risley
Board Secretary
Kathy Risley has been in some kind of lay ministry for the past 20 years - teaching women’s bible studies, leading retreats, helping plant a church and preaching periodically.
Melanie and Kathy met in 2018 at a nonprofit ministry that Kathy co founded and they became fast friends.
In 2020, as a result of the pandemic, that nonprofit closed and left much grief that needed to be processed.
As a form of recovery, Kathy began weekly private sessions of Christ-centered yoga with Melanie.
Little did she know that the care Melanie was providing would become even more important in 2021 when Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. Since that time Kathy has made a full recovery and feels privileged to have been a witness to the dream of Peaceful Pastures become a reality.
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 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.
Josh Whitaker
Board Member
Originally born in Oregon, Josh grew up in Chapel Hill, NC, and has called southeastern North Carolina home for over thirty years. He and his wife Shannon have been married for over 26 of those years, and they have two children. Their daughter is a sophomore at UNC in Chapel Hill, and their son is a sophomore at Hoggard High School in Wilmington.
Josh and his family love to travel, and enjoy spending time with their two labrador retrievers. As a family, they enjoy volunteering their time and investing in the local community when opportunities arise.
Professionally, Josh is the Vice President of a local insurance agency, Coastline Insurance Associates. He, with his family, regularly attend Saltbox Church. He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Josh has spent many memorable moments in conversation and prayer with Melanie and Jimmy over the past few years about Peaceful Pastures. He feels priveleged to have witnessed the progression of a vision and a seed planted in their hearts, to the reality it is today. With their “What next God?” approach, he is excited to see what God has planned in the coming years, and he is honor to serve on the Board of Peaceful Pastures.
Maureen Arenas
Board Member
Maureen has spent most of her professional career in management through the sectors of Business, Medical and Non-Profit post attending Wingate College with emphasis in Business and Marketing and obtaining her NC Licensed Degree in Opticianry.
In addition, the hospitality industry had her encapsulated. As a previous tour director for Toney Tours in North Carolina, her love of travel broadened out with the opportunities of working with other professionals in the craft, and along the way holding positions as project manager for fund raising in various industries, corporate and nonprofit.
Maureen resides in the coastal area of North Carolina with her husband, Orlando, and loves spending her free time with her 2 grandchildren, taking walks on the beach, and participating in outdoor activities. She is thrilled to be a part of Peaceful Pastures and their 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.
Amy Check
Nonprofit Assistant
Amy has lived in Wilmington for 20 years. She has been in outside sales for 17 years, at the same time she volunteered with multiple non-profits that included animal therapy. She volunteered with service dogs, foster dogs and therapy horses.
Amy became aquinted with Melanie several years ago, they reconnected this year at the same time the equine programs began and it was the perfect fit. She has connected quickly with all the animals and is excited to see where this journey goes.
Amy has always loved being outside and spending time with animals. She recognizes that animals have a real healing affect on people. She feels that they know how to care for us in a different way then other humans. They have unexplainable unconditional love.
She feels blessed to be apart of Peaceful Pastures.
Meet the (Equine) Team
Big Man Sam (Sammy)
Male Horse
Piper
Female Horse
Bubbles
Female Pony
Mary Jane, Florence, and Pedro
Miniature Donkeys
