Riverside House Speakers Bureau

Cleveland ("Cleve") Bell III has led Riverside House since 1977, transforming the organization from a 12-bed facility with a $20,000 budget into Miami-Dade County's premier residential reentry center serving 120 individuals with an annual budget exceeding $2 million. Once incarcerated himself, Cleve's personal transformation story inspires his unwavering commitment to second chances and faith-based rehabilitation.

Nationally recognized as an expert in reentry and criminal justice reform, Cleve has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, contributed language to the Second Chance Act of 2007, and appeared on television, radio, and in print advocating for compassionate, evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation. He is a founding member of Kairos Prison Ministry International, served as Volunteer Associate Chaplain for the Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat, and was an original committee member of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust.

B.A., Florida International University
Recovery Support Counseling, Alpha Training Center
Addiction Prevention and Treatment, NEI Training Institute

Notable Speaking Engagements

U.S. House of Representatives testimony on halfway houses and reentry services
International Community Corrections Association strategic planning
National and international media appearances advocating for second chances
Prison Fellowship and Kairos Ministry conferences

Criminal justice reform and reentry policy
Faith-based rehabilitation and pastoral care
Addiction recovery and treatment approaches
Homelessness solutions and emergency services
Organizational leadership and non-profit growth
Personal transformation and second chances
Prison ministry and spiritual development
Community safety and recidivism reduction

Mr. Herbert J. Payan

Digital Business Strategy Executive, Former Sony Music Entertainment Latin-Iberia Region

Herbert J. Payan is a seasoned executive with expertise in digital business strategy, brand partnerships, and revenue innovation in the entertainment and media industries. He formerly oversaw the development of digital business and technology strategy for Sony Music Corporation's Latin-Iberia Region, covering Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the U.S.-Hispanic market.

Throughout his career, Mr. Payan has identified and developed innovative digital products and business initiatives with both existing and emerging business partners. He has spearheaded digital product positioning, pricing, promotions, and advertising strategies across diverse markets, bringing strategic vision and financial acumen to organizational growth and revenue diversification.

MBA in Finance, Florida International University
Harvard Business School Executive Programs (Negotiations/Digital Solutions)
Marketing Certificate, Cornell University
Executive Committee Member, iCoast CIO Council
Member, Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG)
Member, International Executive Resources Group (IERG)

Professional Experience

Digital Business Strategy Executive, Sony Music Corporation Latin-Iberia Region
Strategic partnerships with major entertainment and technology brands
Digital transformation and revenue optimization leadership
Cross-cultural business development (Spain, Portugal, Latin America, U.S.-Hispanic markets)

Digital business revenue growth
Strategic alliances with major brands
E-commerce and M-commerce strategies
Financial analysis and planning
Revenue mix diversification
Intellectual property monetization
Product and services innovation
Regional and global business strategies

Mrs. Yradia Guanipa

President, YG Institute

Riverside House Graduate & Advocate

Advisory Council Member, Riverside House

Yradia Guanipa is a powerful testament to transformation and the impact of comprehensive reentry support. Convicted on drug conspiracy charges in 1997, she served nearly 13 years in federal prison before entering Riverside House in December 2006. Separated from her two sons for 10.5 years, her journey of family reunification, educational attainment, and professional achievement demonstrates what's possible when individuals receive the right support at the right time.

Since her release, Yradia has earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees and has pursued further education in law. She works as a paralegal specialist for a Miami law firm, helping other mothers who have been incarcerated navigate legal systems and family law. As President of YG Institute, she advocates passionately for formerly incarcerated individuals and was actively involved in the successful campaign to restore voting rights to former felons in Florida.

Yradia's story has been featured on Univision and throughout South Florida media as an example of resilience, family restoration, and civic engagement after incarceration.

Master's Degree (earned post-release)
Bachelor's Degree in Arts (earned post-release)
Associate's Degree in Arts (earned post-release)
Law student candidate
Paralegal specialist certification

Advocacy & Leadership

President, YG Institute
Advisory Council Member, Riverside House
Voting rights restoration advocate
Legal assistance for formerly incarcerated mothers
Featured speaker on family reunification and women's reentry
Paralegal specialist supporting non-profit organizations

Personal transformation and redemption
Family reunification after incarceration
Parenting after separation and incarceration
Women's reentry and gender-responsive programming
Educational attainment and perseverance
Voting rights restoration and civic engagement
Legal advocacy for incarcerated mothers
Second chances and community reintegration
Family contributions and healing

Dr. Nora Hernandez Hendrix

Professor of Psychology, Miami Dade College

Dr. Nora Hernandez Hendrix brings more than 40 years of expertise in psychology, education, and workforce development to her role as Chair of Riverside House's Advisory Council. As a Professor of Psychology at Miami Dade College since 1980, she has held leadership positions including Campus President, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Dean of Workforce Education and Development.

Born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, Dr. Hendrix earned her Bachelor's, Master's, and Specialist's degrees in Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Florida, her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Miami, and completed post-graduate work at Harvard University. She has served on the boards of the Children's Trust, South Florida Workforce, Inc., and the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and contributed nationally to the Higher Education Council of the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality and the Commission on Effective Leadership of the American Council on Education.

Dr. Hendrix is recognized at local, state, and national levels for her expertise in education, workforce development, mental health, and family systems.

Ph.D., Higher Education Leadership, University of Miami
Master's and Specialist's, Psychology and Counselor Education, University of Florida
B.A., Psychology and Counselor Education, University of Florida
Post-graduate work, Harvard University

Notable Board Service

Chair, Riverside House Advisory Council
Board Member, Children's Trust
Former Chair, City of Miami Affirmative Action Advisory Board
Former Board Member, South Florida Workforce, Inc.
Former Board Member, Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe

Higher education access and equity
Cognitive development and learning theory
Workforce development and career pathways
Mental health and family systems
Parenting skills and life management
Educational policy and community partnerships
Leadership development in education
Social services integration

Dr. Julian Torres

Owner, Physician & President, Healing at Doral Medical Centers

Dr. Julian Torres brings over 35 years of excellence in the practice of medicine and surgery, combining clinical expertise with leadership in healthcare delivery and patient care. As Owner, Physician, and President of Healing at Doral Medical Centers, Dr. Torres leads a medical practice dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the South Florida community.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Torres has extensive professional experience spanning pediatric hospitalist services, associate pediatrician roles, pediatric residency training, and cardiovascular first assistant responsibilities. His commitment to healthcare excellence and community service aligns with Riverside House's mission to support holistic wellness and comprehensive care for individuals rebuilding their lives.

Doctor of Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Arts, University of Miami
Physician and Surgeon Assistant Certification, FIMA/University of Miami
Pediatric Residency, Miami Children's Hospital
Clinical Pediatrics Level I-II-III, Miami Children's Hospital
Fluent in English and Spanish

Professional Experience

Owner, Physician & President, Healing at Doral Medical Centers
Pediatrics Hospitalist, Palmetto Hospital
Associate Pediatrician, Palm Springs Pediatrics
Pediatric Residency, Miami Children's Hospital
Chief House Officer & Cardiovascular First Assistant, Cedars Medical Center

Healthcare delivery and patient care
Pediatric medicine and family health
Healthcare access for underserved populations
Medical services in reentry and transitional settings
Community health and wellness
Bilingual healthcare services
Healthcare leadership and practice management

Rev. Roberto Sanchez

Founder, ADONAI International Ministries

Advisory Council Member, Riverside House

Rev. Roberto Sanchez founded ADONAI International Ministries in 2000 to provide outreach and counseling services throughout South Florida. For more than 20 years, he has worked directly with troubled individuals including drug addicts, gang members, ex-convicts, and people experiencing homelessness — offering assistance and guidance toward productive lifestyles grounded in high moral standards.

Having personally experienced legal troubles, Rev. Sanchez shares his redemption story to motivate others positively. He is well recognized in the community for his crisis intervention work and has built strong rapport with community leaders, often responding to emergency situations requiring immediate support. His focus on the Hispanic community has made him a vital bridge between faith-based services and culturally responsive care.

A Certified Member of the American Association of Christian Counselors since 2000, Rev. Sanchez has served as a motivational speaker at rehabilitation programs, hospitals, churches, prisons, and transitional centers for ex-offenders throughout South Florida.

Certified Member, American Association of Christian Counselors (since 2000)
Educational workshop developer on community wellness topics
Crisis intervention specialist

Community Leadership

Founder, ADONAI International Ministries (2000–Present)
Advisory Council Member, Riverside House
Crisis response contact for community leaders
Educational workshop facilitator
Motivational speaker at rehabilitation programs, hospitals, churches, prisons, and transitional centers