Our Board of Directors & Advisory Committee
Strategic oversight, governance, and community guidance
Riverside House benefits from the leadership of a dedicated Board of Directors and Advisory Committee composed of community leaders, subject-matter experts, and advocates who share responsibility for governance, strategic direction, and mission stewardship.
For more information on becoming a member of our Board of Directors or Advisory Committee, please contact us.
Leadership & Governance
Dedicated leaders guiding our mission and
powering our impact
We are committed to delivering quality, effective, and faith-based support that guides formerly incarcerated men and women to become productive citizens and rebuild their lives.
We envision a stronger and more unified Miami where formerly incarcerated individuals become productive citizens and valued members of our vibrant community.
We are grounded in community, diversity, spirituality, accountability, family, and productivity — the foundational core values that make our transformational work possible.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides strategic oversight, fiduciary accountability, and mission stewardship to ensure Riverside House operates with integrity, transparency, and long-term organizational stability. Members bring diverse expertise from public service, corporate leadership, faith communities, and non-profit management.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee includes respected community members, business leaders, faith leaders, and subject-matter experts who provide advice, insight, and support to strengthen Riverside House's programs and community impact. Members contribute professional expertise and lived experience that inform our mission.
Riverside House
Our Board of Directors
Cleveland Bell
President & CEO, Riverside House
Cleveland Bell III has led Riverside House since 1977, growing the organization from a 12-bed facility with a $20,000 budget to a comprehensive 120-bed reentry center with an annual budget exceeding $2 million. Once incarcerated himself, Bell's personal transformation story inspires the organization's unwavering commitment to second chances. He is nationally recognized as an expert on community reentry programs, a founding member of Kairos Prison Ministry International, contributed to crafting the language for the Second Chance Act of 2007, and serves as a founding and current committee member of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust.
Rick Cook
Retired Fire Chief, Coral Gables Fire Department
Rick Cook retired in 2008 after 33 years with Coral Gables Fire Rescue, serving his final 12 years as Fire Chief. Following his retirement, he spent nine years as an EMT and paramedic instructor. Cook serves on the Board of Trustees at Westminster Christian School and brings decades of public service leadership to Riverside House's governance.
Karen Brady
VP of Audit & CCO, Baptist Health South Florida
Karen Brady serves as Vice President of Audit and Chief Compliance Officer at Baptist Health South Florida, where she has worked for over 25 years. She holds multiple certifications including CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), CRMA (Certification in Risk Management Assurance), and CHIAP (Certified Healthcare Internal Audit Professional). Brady has implemented a world-class compliance and internal audit program at Baptist Health, the largest healthcare organization in South Florida, and serves on the Global Board of Directors of The Institute of Internal Auditors.
Billy Baskin
Senior Pastor, New Way Fellowship
Bishop Billy Baskin is the Founder and Senior Pastor of New Way Fellowship Praise and Worship Church in Miami Gardens, where he has served for over 50 years. A native of Florida and recognized community leader, Bishop Baskin joined Riverside House's Board of Directors in 2015, bringing decades of faith-based ministry experience and deep community connections.
Larry Silvester
COO, Riverside House
Larry Silvester has served as Chief Operating Officer of Riverside House since January 2008, overseeing day-to-day operations and program quality. He brings extensive operational leadership and non-profit management expertise to the Board's strategic oversight.
Riverside House
Our Advisory Committee
Julian Torres
Physician, Healing at Doral Medical Centers
Dr. Julian Torres brings 30 years of excellence in medicine and surgery to Riverside House's Advisory Committee. He is owner, physician, and president of Healing at Doral Medical Centers and is fluent in English and Spanish. His professional experience includes serving as Pediatrics Hospitalist at Palmetto Hospital, Associate Pediatrician at Palm Springs Pediatrics, completing Pediatric Residency at Miami Children's Hospital, and serving as Chief House Officer and Cardiovascular First Assistant at Cedars Medical Center. Dr. Torres holds his Doctor of Medicine and Surgery degree and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami.
Yradia Guanipa
President, YG Institute
Yradia Guanipa is a powerful testament to transformation and the impact of Riverside House's mission. Convicted on drug conspiracy charges in 1997, she served nearly 13 years in prison before becoming a Riverside House client in December 2006. Since her release, she has earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees and has been working on her PhD. She now works as a legal assistant helping other mothers who have been incarcerated and advocates passionately for formerly incarcerated individuals. Guanipa serves as President of YG Institute and was actively involved in advocacy for restoring voting rights to former felons in Florida.
Severin Braun
VP of Audit & CCO, Baptist Health South Florida
Severin Braun is a retired Portfolio Manager from Northern Trust with extensive experience in investment management and financial services. Based in Miami, he has been actively involved with charitable organizations throughout South Florida, bringing financial expertise and philanthropic insight to Riverside House's Advisory Committee.
Roberto Sanchez
Founder, ADONAI International Ministries
Rev. Roberto Sanchez is the founder of ADONAI International Ministries, established in 2000, providing outreach and counseling services throughout South Florida. He works directly with troubled individuals including drug addicts, gang members, ex-convicts, and the homeless. Having personally experienced legal troubles himself, he shares his experiences to motivate others positively. He has been a Certified Member of the American Association of Christian Counselors since 2000. For over 12 years, Rev. Sanchez has served as a motivational speaker at rehabilitation programs, hospitals, churches, prisons, and transitional centers for ex-offenders.
Join Our Leadership
Interested in making an impact? Connect with us.
Our Team
A dedicated staff
transforming lives daily
Behind the strategic leadership of our Board of Directors and Advisory Committee stands a passionate team of case managers, counselors, life skills coaches, and support staff who work directly with participants every day.
From intake coordinators to spiritual development leaders, our team brings decades of combined experience in corrections, social work, counseling, and faith-based ministry.
Community Voices
What people are saying
about Riverside House
Real feedback from former residents, volunteers, community partners, and supporters who've witnessed our impact firsthand.
This place is a dream come true for people coming out of prison. The staff are caring, professional, and devoted to helping the formerly incarcerated reenter society with dignity and confidence.
