Board Members
Blake Powell
Blake Powell, Board Chair at Hope and Help, is a Certified Public Accountant and committed community leader. He brings extensive expertise in financial stewardship, organizational leadership, and strategic planning, which he leverages to advance the nonprofit’s mission and long-term sustainability. Passionate about equity, health, and well-being, Blake works to ensure resources and support reach those who need them most. His dedication to building inclusive communities and fostering collaboration reflects his belief in creating lasting, positive change through service.
James Palmisano
James “JP” Palmisano is Chief Operating Officer of 382 Communications, a telecommunications and AI development company. JP himself is a human-in-the-loop AI developer with three decades in technology leadership. He speaks on technology adoption for nonprofits and NGOs and collaborates with organizations in consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at UN events in New York to advance their missions. A director since 2021, he chairs the Fundraising, Development & Public Relations Committee, serves on the Governance Committee, and helps guide the Center’s governance modernization and new medical facility. Committed to board service, he is also Vice Chair of The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command Advisory Board, serves on the board of The Lifeboat Project, and is a member of the Tiger Bay Club and Italian American Club of Central Florida. He believes no one should face barriers to compassionate, stigma-free care.
Rakeem Marcelle
Dr. Michael Muszynski
Dr. Robert Adams
Dr. Robert Adams brings extensive experience and insight to Hope and Help as a devoted long-term board member and former board chair. With his background as an industrial-organizational psychologist and non-profit leadership researcher, he plays a crucial role in guiding the agency. His focus on strategic talent acquisition and leadership development enhances the organization’s effectiveness and empowers the team to achieve new heights to fight the stigma of HIV/AIDS. Having witnessed the epidemic’s early days firsthand, Dr. Adams’s passion and commitment to creating a supportive community environment make a difference at Hope & Help.
Debi Jones
Debi Jones is a dedicated community leader with a strong background in events, entertainment, and nonprofit service. She currently serves as Director of Special Events and Promotions for The Salvation Army of Orange & Osceola Counties. Debi retired from SeaWorld Orlando after a 33-year career, most recently as an Entertainment Senior Production Manager. A longtime Salvation Army volunteer, she served on its Advisory Board and as Board Chair for four years. Passionate about service and community impact, Debi brings creativity, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to supporting families and strengthening communities.
Sue Idtensohn
Sue brings extensive leadership experience across the private sector, government, and nonprofit organizations. She spent ten years with Johnson & Johnson, building deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, followed by six years in Asia as an educational consultant in Japan and Executive Director of the Management Development Institute of Singapore. After returning to Florida, she served as Director of International Trade for the Florida Department of Commerce. Sue later led Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando as CEO for 14 years. Now retired, she continues to contribute her expertise in governance, strategic leadership, and public service.
Tracy Richardson's
Tracy was born in Rochester, New York but moved to Florida in first grade so he considers himself a Floridian. He spent his early adult years doing theater and traveling. In his late twenties he went back to school and got a degree in video and film which led him to WCPX (later known as WKMG) in Orlando, Florida. He spent 25 years there with most of his time as the programming manager and a producer. He has two Emmy Awards and one Telly Award under his belt. He also took care of Community Affairs for the station which led him to Hope and Help. He joined the board in 2000 and remained there since. In 2008 he was asked to join the advisory board of the Salvation Army Orange / Osceola Counties. He was forced into early retirement due to a battle with Cancer, which he won. He was going to stay retired, but he jokingly tells of his friends telling him to find something else to do or they would kill him so at the age of 61 he got his insurance license and began working for Globe Life, Liberty National Division. He does plan on trying to fully retire again this summer with a move to the mountains of North Carolina. He plans on remaining on the Hope and Help board via Zoom.
Steven Ritz
Steven Ritz is a native of Winter Park, FL. He has spent his entire life learning and celebrating this Central Florida community, a gift he shares with the hundreds of families he has helped with their real estate needs across Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Windermere, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, and more. He is a REALTOR®, co-founder and head of ABODE Home Team at Keller Williams Winter Park, and partial owner in Keller Williams Winter Park. Steven graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore, KY with a degree in journalism and spent the first half of his career in medical and pharmaceutical sales. His first involvement with Hope and Help was in 1996, where he served on the fundraising committee for the Hope and Health Youth Summit. Steven is dedicated to ensuring healthcare access to all people.