Senior Leadership Team
Chanel Boutakidis, MA, MFT
Chief Executive Officer
Jennifer Berger, MPA
Chief Advancement Officer
Chinling Chen, LCSW
Chief Program Officer, Prevention
David L. Graft
Chief Financial Officer
Elizabeth Gonzalez, MA, LMFT
Chief Program Officer, CCR
Rachel McClements, Psy.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Executive Board
Chris Selak
Board Chair
Bisi Ezeolu
Secretary
Susan McGuirl
Former Board Chair and Vice Chair, Nominating
Shoshana Puccia
Vice Chair, Advancement
Andrew Crowell
Vice Chair, Finance/Investment
Dennis Duran
Vice Chair, Audit
Kirsten Hansen
Vice Chair, Administration
Carol Alexis Chen
At Large Member
Board of Directors
Bios
Chanel Boutakidis, MA, MFT | Chief Executive Officer
Chanel Boutakidis, MA, LMFT, assumed her role as Chief Executive Officer of Five Acres in 2011. Prior to being appointed CEO, Ms. Boutakidis was the Executive Director of Pasadena Mental Health Center. Ms. Boutakidis has over 30 years of experience in behavioral health, child welfare, advocacy, and policy-making. She is a dynamic leader with verifiable year-after-year success in achieving innovative programming, measurable client impact, revenue growth, and strategic planning objectives within a turnaround and rapid-change environments. Highly successful in assessing and managing enterprise risk, seizing control of critical problem areas, and delivering on strategic mission/value-driven commitments. She serves on the Executive Board of the Association of Community Human Service Association and several State and County planning committees to help advance the impact of safety, well-being, and permanency for children and promote healthy communities. She also serves as a Board of Trustee for Flintridge Preparatory School and serves on the Advisory Council for the Women in Leadership Executive Program at UC Riverside.
She earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from California State University, Northridge, and is a licensed therapist with the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Her notable recognitions include the 2023 Angeleno Magazine, Dynamic Woman; 2020 Pasadena Magazine, Women of Distinction; 2018 Community Service Award presented by LA County Board of Supervisor Kathryn Barger; 2017 Humanitarian Award by Jack and Jill of America; 2016 Los Angeles magazine, Woman of the Year; 2014 Congressional Recognition by Michael Antonovich; and 2014 Congressional Recognition by Judy Chu.
Jennifer Berger, MPA | Chief Advancement Officer
Jennifer Berger is the Chief Advancement Officer at Five Acres and oversees all fundraising, marketing/communications, volunteer efforts, and the Facilities Department. Five Acres promotes safety, well-being, and permanency for thousands of children and family members annually by building on their strengths and empowering them within communities.
Passion for the non-profit sector and serving the community has led Jennifer to her over 20 years of professional experience with fundraising, events, program management, board development, and organizational leadership. Previously, Jennifer was Director of Development and Outreach & Education at The Pasadena Playhouse, charged with overseeing, strategizing, and implementing all Playhouse fundraising activities during which time fundraising goals were exceeded. Her professional background also includes Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation where she was responsible for overseeing all operational fundraising activities, as well as the University of Southern California as a director of development of the Marshall School of Business and with University Advancement’s Central Office of Annual Giving. Jennifer also worked with Morris & Berger as a non-profit executive search consultant.
She spent her formative years in Pasadena, California, graduating from Duke University with a BA in English, followed by a Master’s degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in non-profit management, at the University of Southern California. Jennifer has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 2007 and is past President of the AFP Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Board. Other affiliations include the San Gabriel Valley Estate Planning Council, Pasadena Rotary Club, Chandler School, Pasadena Humane Society, Polytechnic School, the Pasadena chapter of National Charity League, Junior League of Pasadena’s Community Advisory Council, and the Duke Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee. Jennifer and her husband, John, President and Founding Principal of Lee & Associates, live in Altadena with their daughters Madeleine, who attends UCLA School of Law, and Grace, who attends University of Oregon.
Chinling Chen, LCSW | Chief Program Officer, Prevention
Chinling Chen, LCSW, has over 17 years of professional experience in the child welfare and substance abuse treatment industry. Ms. Chen has served in various positions, with an increasing scope of responsibility, ranging from a therapist offering direct services, Program Supervisor, Director, and as a Regional Vice President overseeing residential and outpatient programs in CA and Texas regions. She is skilled in leading and directing the overall management, strategy, advocacy, and operations of multi-million dollar programs. Ms. Chen holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. Back to top.
David L. Graft | Chief Financial Officer
David has 30 years of professional experience, primarily as a C-level executive, including responsibilities as Board Chair, CEO, COO, and CFO. Prior to joining Five Acres, David was the CFO of the nation’s largest human organ, eye, and tissue recovery agency and foundation. David’s experience includes challenging C-level executive and board positions with for-profit and non-profit operating companies in healthcare (including hospitals), financial services, and technology. As chairman & CEO of a financial services and technology company, David’s firm earned ranking in Inc. 500’s list of fastest-growing privately held companies in its first year of eligibility, achieving this distinction for three consecutive years. David was selected as a financial service sector finalist for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Greater Los Angeles in 2002. He was also selected as a Summerall Success Story and recognized in Forbes Magazine and featured in a national telecast on Fox News Network. David has also successfully founded and sold an institutional pharmacy management company.
David’s competencies include operations, strategic planning, budgeting, forecasts and financial modeling; financial, operational, GAAP, regulatory and statutory accounting and reporting; audit and regulatory compliance; internal control systems; metrics, measurements and KPIs; analytics and predictive modeling; decision support; cash management and credit risk concentration; business services including revenue cycle and claims management; complex reimbursement systems and cost accounting; treasury function including financings (debt and equity) and investments; risk and litigation management and insurance programs; administrative, human resources and financial policies; legal matters including employment practices; contract management and compliance; intellectual property and software licenses; information technology and systems; payroll; human resources including recruiting, employee relations, compensation, and benefit programs.
Prior to starting his career with operating companies, David worked as a manager in public accounting with two of the Big 4 public accounting firms, with industry experience concentrated in healthcare and financial services. He is a certified public accountant and holds a BS degree in business administration, accounting from Indiana University. Back to top.
Elizabeth Gonzalez, MA, LMFT | Chief Program Officer, Residential
Elizabeth Gonzalez, LMFT, has worked at Five Acres since 2001 and has more than 19 years of professional experience in the child welfare field. Throughout the course of her work at Five Acres, she has had various positions from Residential Treatment Program Case Manager, Community Based Clinician, Intensive Treatment Foster Care Program Supervisor, Evidence-Based Practice Clinical Coordinator, Division Director of Residential Services to her present position as Chief Program Officer.
While at Five Acres, Ms. Gonzalez has overseen all essential division functions to include Client Care and Services, Financial Performance, and Program Development for multiple programs to include Intensive Treatment Foster Care, Residentially Based Services, Transitional Shelter Care, and Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs. As Chief Program Officer at Five Acres, Ms. Gonzalez provides leadership to the Residential and Permanency Divisions. Back to top.
Rachel McClements, Psy.D. | Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Rachel McClements serves as Chief Operating Officer at Five Acres and is responsible and accountable for the administration, coordination, development, and implementation of all agency operational activities. As a result-oriented executive, she provides the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure each department is working towards achieving the agency’s strategic targets and objectives. Her constructive and energetic style provides effective, inspiring leadership that promotes a culture of high-performing teams who value learning and a commitment to quality. Rachel also serves as the Chief Clinical Officer and is responsible for the direction and management of the agency’s overall clinical and mental health service delivery, steering the organization in the development and maintenance of effective therapeutic practices. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she is an invited speaker to conferences and workshops throughout the United States. Dr. McClements received her B.Sc. in England and her M.A. and doctorate from Alliant University (formerly California School of Professional Psychology). Back to top.
Chris Selak | Board Chair
In 2018 Chris Selak joined Courtney A. Kemp’s production company, End of Episode, as President and Executive Producer. Kemp is the Emmy-nominated creator, showrunner and producer of the Starz hit series, Power. Currently, Selak is Executive Producing through Kemp’s End of Episode banner, multiple series inspired by the world of Power (Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Force). In 2021, Kemp signed an exclusive multi-year deal with global content leader, Netflix, where Selak is President, All Media and Chief Content Officer, developing and producing a variety of new content across the world’s leading streaming entertainment service.
Before joining End of Episode, Ms. Selak was Executive Vice President and Head of Worldwide Scripted Television for Lionsgate, where she oversaw creative development and programming for all Lionsgate scripted television projects. In her tenure, she built on Lionsgate’s legacy series like Mad Men (AMC), Nurse Jackie (Showtime), and Weeds (Showtime) with ground-breaking shows like Orange is the New Black (Netflix), Nashville (ABC/CMT/Hulu), Dear White People (Netflix), and Greenleaf (OWN). Ms. Selak also spearheaded the Lionsgate Television Group’s collaboration with the Lionsgate UK television business, led by UK CEO Zygi Kamasa and UK Television Creative Director Steve November.
Before joining Lionsgate in 2011, Ms. Selak served as SVP at John Wells Productions, where she worked on shows including ER, The West Wing, Shameless, and Southland. Back to top.
Bisi Ezeolu | Secretary
Bisi Ezeolu is a partner in the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP. His legal practice focuses on representing and advising companies and their executives on a broad range of employment law issues involving alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-and-hour violations, and protection of trade secrets. He is also experienced in complex commercial litigation and regulatory matters.
Bisi earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. He devotes a significant amount of time to serving the community. He has provided pro bono services for the California Association of Food Banks, homeowners in financial trouble, and formerly served on the board of directors for Kids Included Together, a non-profit organization committed to including children with disabilities into recreational, child development, and youth development programs. He is a board member of Pasadena Fire Foundation, and, most recently, joined Five Acres board of directors after having served on its Human Resources Committee.
Bisi and his wife, Marisa, live in Altadena with their three children. Back to top.
Susan McGuirl | Former Board Chair and Vice Chair, Nominating
Sue was the former Board Chair for Five Acres from 2020 through 2024. She began volunteering at various Five Acres charity events over a decade ago and became a member of the Program Committee. Sue joined the Board in 2014 and has served as Sponsorship Chair for the 2014 and 2015 Five Acres Annual Galas. Most recently, Sue serves on the Nominating Committee. She is very passionate about Five Acres and the services they provide to promote permanency, safety, and wellbeing for children and families.
Sue is the Chief Marketing Officer for Hub International, California. She joined HUB in September of 2019, having spent over 30 years working for insurance carriers, including Travelers and Allianz serving in various claims and underwriting leadership roles.
She is recognized as an expert in the entertainment and specialty insurance industry with a track record of growing the business and solving complex business problems. She has the skills and ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external business partners. She is passionate about recruiting, training, and developing high-performing employees and teams.
She is also an accomplished figure skating coach, leading championship synchronized teams at national and international levels.
Sue serves on the board of the Event Safety Alliance, a non-profit, membership-driven organization dedicated to promoting “life safety first” throughout all phases of event production and execution.
Sue is also a member of Pasadena Angel, a non-profit committed to helping forward-thinking innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs with the mentorship and funding to foster success.
Sue lives in Altadena, California with her husband Bob Musselman. Back to top.
Shoshana Puccia | Vice Chair, Advancement
Shoshana Puccia is a seasoned executive with over two decades of marketing and tourism experience. Her extensive background includes marketing positions at the renowned Santa Monica Place, Glendale Galleria, Beverly Center, Universal Studios Hollywood and the J. Paul Getty Museum. Puccia’s diverse background also includes overseeing the marketing for Child S.H.A.R.E., a non-profit agency that finds homes for abused and at-risk children. She was recognized for her tourism expertise and initiatives by the California Travel Association who selected Santa Monica Place as the winner of the 2016 Retailer of the Year award. Puccia has won numerous marketing awards including the MAXI – the International Council of Shopping Center’s top marketing award as well as nine Macerich WOW awards. Los Angeles Magazine appointed Puccia to sit on the 2016 L.A. Woman Selection Committee.
Puccia is involved in the Pasadena community and has served on the executive Santa Monica Travel and Tourism planning committee for the international One Travel Conference and on the Corporate Partnership Committee for the Santa Monica, Malibu Education Foundation. Puccia’s past community memberships include a Board of Directors position for Los Angeles’ Latino Heritage Month, chairperson of the City of Covina Arts Commission and a Board of Director role for BookEnds, a non-profit literacy program. Back to top.
Andrew Crowell| Vice Chair, Finance/Investment
Andrew Crowell serves as Vice Chairman of Wealth Management, D.A. Davidson & Co. He has been a director of D.A. Davidson Companies since the 2013 merger of D.A. Davidson and Crowell Weedon. Prior to his financial services career, which began in 1995 with Crowell Weedon, Mr. Crowell was associated with Russ Reid Company, an advertising agency serving nonprofit organizations. He serves on the North American Advisory Board of the London School of Economics and Political Science and the board of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. He is also a board member of Five Acres Children’s Aid Society in Altadena, California. In addition, he is a member of the Sunset Club, California Club, Valley Hunt Club, California Vintage Wine Society, San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Y.P.O., and serves on several investment committees in his community. A native Californian, Mr. Crowell graduated from Stanford University and earned a postgraduate degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has a son, Thomas, and daughter, Christine, and resides in Arcadia, California. Back to top.
Dennis Duran | Vice Chair, Audit
Dennis Duran is the Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Information Security for SCAN Health Plan. He has worked in the Information Technology field for over 25 years throughout the U.S. and internationally across varying industries and sectors. Along with multiple technical certifications, he earned his MBA from Pennsylvania State University and BS in Management from Pepperdine University.
He is a member of the CSULB Computer Engineering and Science Advisory Board; Committee Member of RAMPS Cybersecurity Grant Proposal Team assembled by the Long Beach Mayor’s Office; Contributor to developing cybersecurity educational programs; and Volunteer spending time educating Senior Citizens on technology, cybersecurity, and how to avoid identity theft.
In 2018, Dennis and his wife Lori became foster parents through Five Acres to their two children whose adoption is in the process of being finalized. They live in Pasadena with their Siberian Husky, Drago. Back to top.
Kirsten Hansen | Vice Chair, Administration
Kirsten Hansen received her undergraduate degree in English at Loma Linda University and received her J.D. from Glendale University College of Law. She was the Director of Legal Affairs at EarthLink Network, Inc. and was Practice Development Manager at O’Melveny & Myers LLP where her focus was on labor & employment and healthcare in the Los Angeles office. Kirsten is a co-founder of Dot Luxury (.Luxury), an Internet generic top-level domain which was launched in 2014. She is actively involved with the Angeleno Gold Chapter of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and serves on the Huntington Library Overseers Marketing and Education Committees and the Geffen Theatre Advisory Board. She is a lifetime member of the Guild Board of the larger Foundation Board of Glendale Adventist Medical Center. Committee. Back to top.
Carol Alexis Chen | At Large Member
Carol Alexis Chen, an award-winning former career federal prosecutor in the United States Department of Justice, is a partner and trial lawyer in Winston & Strawn LLP’s Los Angeles office. She represents public and private companies, corporate officers, entrepreneurs, and other individuals in high-stakes white collar criminal and complex civil litigation. In addition, Carol responds to government inquiries and conducts internal investigations for her clients and counsels them on the development, implementation, and enhancement of compliance and remediation programs. She has particular expertise with respect to anti-money laundering, trade and export control, and health care laws and regulations, the False Claims Act and related qui tam provisions, and matters involving business torts, fraud, and RICO as well as Fintech, blockchain technology, and cryptocurrency.
Prior to joining Winston & Strawn in 2021, Carol served as an Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles for over 15 years in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions and in various supervisory roles, most recently as the first female Chief in office history of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Section. She also created and chaired various high-profile initiatives, task forces, and working groups, led community and law enforcement outreach efforts, and trained law enforcement and prosecutors including on building complex investigations and courtroom and trial advocacy.
Carol is heavily involved in community, pro bono, and non-profit board service and various professional associations, and serves as a mentor for Yale Law Women, Asian Pacific Asian Women Lawyers Alliance, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, and The Mentorship Boardroom, the latter for which she mentors young lawyers in South Africa through virtual meetings. Carol previously served as a mentor to underrepresented young adults through Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization and also taught fifth-graders about the criminal justice system and conflict resolution for several years as an instructor for Project Lead. She currently teaches Pretrial Advocacy at USC Gould Law School.
Carol earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School. Upon graduation, she clerked for the (Late) Honorable Pamela Ann Rymer on the Ninth Circuit in Pasadena, California, and for the (Retired) Honorable Lourdes G. Baird, then a District Judge for the Central District of California. Back to top.
Erica Adler
Erica Adler is a veteran entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience in content distribution, operations, acquisitions, and business development. She has held leadership roles across multiple facets of the industry, including board positions on international joint channel ventures with other major studios. As the Executive Vice President of Business Strategy and Operations at Paramount Global, Erica has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives, optimizing operations, and fostering key partnerships within the media landscape.
Beyond her corporate success, Erica is deeply committed to philanthropy and community service, recently joining the Board of Directors at Five Acres, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and families. Believing that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, she is honored to support Five Acres in making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in need.
Chantal Bennett
Chantal Bennett was born and raised in Pasadena. She attended UC Berkeley and obtained a bachelors degree in Economics with a minor in Education. After college Chantal worked as a project manager for a large commercial sub contractor, Berger Bros. Inc. Chantal’s husband Stephen was transferred to England in 1998 where they started their family. Chantal spend about four years in England before they moved back to Pasadena and continued to grow their family. She has five children, Charlie, Gabriela, Lauren, Katie, and John. Chantal is very active in a number of local philanthropies, including but not limited to Five Acres, Children’s hospital, and Art Center. She is also very involved in her children’s school, serving on the board at Mayfield Jr School, room parent, running benefit for Flintridge Prep, and other odd volunteer positions. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, most sports, and taking care of the chickens, dogs, and garden. Back to top.
Leonardo Bolanos
Leonardo (Leo) has over 17 years of experience in wealth management, having worked as a private banker, fiduciary advisor, licensed investment advisor, and relationship manager at various global Private Banks. Prior to joining Northern Trust, he was a Wealth Advisor with Wells Fargo Private Bank, where he provided wealth management solutions that address the unique needs of high net worth families, private foundations, and multi-generational trust.
He enjoys spending time with family and friends at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in Downtown and participating, whenever possible, in his young son’s baseball and diving activities. Back to top.
Mimi Carter
Mimi Carter is an entrepreneur and investor in early-stage companies. She is a partner at Carterus Strategies and director of the Pasadena Angels, named one of the top 10 angel investing groups in the US by Forbes Magazine. Mimi serves on the advisory board for Mayor Eric Garcetti’s WiSTEM program, an initiative to lead the nation in developing and sustaining a robust pipeline of women in STEM. She is a strategic advisor for Women Founder’s Foundation, an organization providing access to capital, visibility, and mentorship for female founders. Mimi is also a board member of Innovate Pasadena, a collaborative partnership between Caltech, business and community leaders to advance greater Pasadena as a center for technology and design innovation.
In the last 10 years, Mimi has been an active community volunteer and leader, a committee member for LA County Science Fair, a former Science Olympiad coach, and a supporter and funder of STEM education for kids in underserved communities. Mimi has also volunteered extensively with local families and children’s services organizations, finding a perfect home with Five Acres, where she is co-president of Five Acres Children’s Guild as well as a member of the Nash Scholarship Committee and the 2020 Gala Co-Chair. She lives in Altadena with her physicist husband and two daughters. Back to top.
Kelley Bannon Lashley
Kelley Bannon Lashley is the founder of Deka Law Group. She is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Her practice areas include estate and business succession planning, trust administration, probate, conservatorship and guardianship law, as well as nonprofit advising and mediation. Kelley worked alongside her grandfather, Robert D. Bannon, and eventually took over his successful estate planning practice that served Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area for more than 50 years. Over the past 10 years, Kelley has expanded the firm’s practice into Ventura County where Deka now serves clients in its Westlake Village office. Having started her career in San Luis Obispo County, Kelley serves clients all over California. In 2019, she received the Five Acres Person of the Year Award. Back to top.
Celeste Liversidge
Attorney Celeste Liversidge has been practicing exclusively in the field of adoption law since 2001. She is a fellow of both the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers and a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children, Christian Adoption Legal Services, National Council For Adoption and the North American Council on Adoptable Children. Celeste earned her law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Westmont College. She has served on numerous boards and as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine School of Law. Celeste is a frequent guest lecturer and speaker on a variety of adoption-related issues. Back to top.
Jason Melillo
Jason Melillo, CPA is a Principal of KROST. Jason is involved in all aspects of the firm’s Assurance & Advisory practice, as well as accounting and tax. His areas of expertise range from the grocery and foodservice industries to technology and business consulting. Jason is a frequent lecturer to large organizations such as the California Society of CPAs, American Institute of CPAs, and the California Restaurant Association. He has given many seminars on cost segregation and restaurant matters to CPAs, attorneys, and industry professionals.
Prior to joining KROST, Jason served the grocery industry in various capacities for over 10 years. As both an advisor and a member of the industry, Jason provided valuable expertise in accounting matters specific to the grocery industry as well as general accounting concerns. In addition to his professional dedication, Jason is also passionate about serving his community. As an active member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association for over 25 years and through his commitment to promoting the success of local businesses, Jason is constantly working to better serve the greater Pasadena area. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with an Emphasis in Finance from the University of Southern California. Back to top.
Kirk Moon, III
Kirk Moon, III advises individuals and entities of all types in all aspects of business, residential and commercial real estate and transactional matters, with a focus on succession planning and mergers and acquisitions. Clients appreciate Kirk’s thoughtful planning and meticulous execution in his approach to each unique matter. Kirk’s background representing individual physicians, medical groups and health plans in both transactional and regulatory matters provides additional insight into the administrative functions of the healthcare industry. Back to top.
Lance Polverini, CFA®
Lance Polverini, a chartered financial analyst, is a senior vice president, private wealth relationship manager with Merrill Private Wealth Management with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in equity and fixed income research, portfolio management, hedge funds, private equity, and asset allocation, Lance brings a wealth of knowledge to his position and clients. He is currently a partner on the Gray Team at Merrill Private Wealth Management/Bank of America, formerly the Private Banking and Investment Group.
Having known Five Acres for much of his life, Lance has always considered the agency to be one of the most important features of the city. Lance brings empathy, an understanding of well-being, and a strengths-based approach to his volunteerism. He serves on the finance committee at Mayfield Senior School and on the finance council at St. Andrews Catholic Church. Lance is a board advisor of the Pasadena Police Activities League and, most recently, joined the Five Acres board of directors.
Lance has a master’s degree focused on Global Politics from London School of Economics and Political Science and a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of California, Berkeley. Born and raised in Pasadena, Lance is married to Amy Polverini and have two children, CJ and Matthew. They are members of the Annandale Golf Club and the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena. Back to top.
John Reitnouer
John Reitnouer is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager with D.A. Davidson & Company in Los Angeles, where he is a member of the Chairman’s Council. He has 31-years of experience in the investment industry assisting individuals, fiduciaries and families. He has been a branch manager in Los Angeles for Crowell, Weedon & Co. and D.A. Davidson, and has held product management positions in his career. John has a MBA from the University of Southern California, and a BS from the University of Colorado.
He has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations including Monte Vista Grove Homes, Scripps Home, and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association where he currently is a member of the Asset Guidance Committee. John is a past-president of the USC Commerce Associates and Business Alumni Association. John and his wife Susan live in Pasadena, and have two grown children. Back to top.
Chad Richardson, PMP
Chad Richardson is the owner of CalTex Financial Group LLC, providing Fee-Based Financial Planning, Wealth Management and Risk Mitigation Strategies to Individuals and Families while also administering Qualified Retirement Accounts and various Group Benefits to businesses nationwide through Cetera Investment Services. Prior to his career in financial services, Mr. Richardson worked in the Oil & Gas Industry as an Engineer for Halliburton, Precision Drilling, and Core Laboratories where he oversaw a number of drilling, production, and completion projects for major oil and gas companies.
He holds the PMP professional designation and maintains numerous other professional licenses within the financial services sector. Chad is a member of the Project Management Institute, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is also a founding member of the Pasadena Old Town TEAM Referral Chapter.
Mr. Richardson grew up in South Texas where he worked for his family’s business, Richardson Water Well Drilling. It was here where he first learned the value of hard work and what it takes to run a successful business. He attended Texas A&M University in College Station where he graduated with a bachelors in Engineering Technology with an emphasis in Business Management. Chad is married to wife Emily and has two children, William, and Caroline. In his spare time, Chad enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with friends & family. Back to top.
Zoe Walrond
Zoe Walrond comes to the Five Acres board with a long background in broadcast journalism. She was a television reporter and anchor for NBC affiliates in Denver and Kansas City, Missouri, and the CBS affiliate in Colorado Springs. She also served as news director of National Public Radio affiliate KCUR-FM in Kansas City, as Morning Edition anchor on NPR affiliate KPCC-FM in Pasadena, and as a contributing reporter for NPR. In addition, Zoe was a news anchor on all-news radio station KFWB in Los Angeles.
As an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Humboldt, formerly known as Humboldt State, she taught journalism and radio production and was faculty advisor to the university’s award-winning student radio station.
Zoe has two adult children, two grandchildren and lives with her husband who is also a long-time journalist, in Pasadena. She is an avid reader whose interests also include interior design and painting abstract canvases, talent be damned. Back to top.
Wendy Wu
Wendy T. Wu, a former federal prosecutor, is Managing Director and the head of Nardello & Co.’s Digital Investigations and Cyber Risk practice. She is a recognized national expert and leads engagements in cybercrime and data breach response, digital forensics, information security, and intellectual property protection. She has more than 20 years of experience in advising clients in high stakes technical and litigation matters, guiding senior executives in navigating and balancing cyber risks with business strategy and leading domestic and international teams in incident response and digital forensic investigations. Before joining the firm, she led the cyber and investigations practices for a UK investigation and due diligence consultancy and co-founded a Los Angeles cyber and investigations firm. She served as an Assistant US Attorney in the Central District of California, where she led investigations and prosecutions of computer intrusions, internet fraud, theft of trade secrets, and cyber exploitation of individuals, as well as money laundering and drug trafficking offenses. She began her career as a litigation associate at Proskauer Rose LLP. Back to top.