Board of Directors
Jeff Gelder – President / Founder
Jeff Gelder is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico where he began his on-air radio career, and has been a resident of San Diego since 1987. Jeff is an on and off camera professional and owner of GelderHead Audio Productions/Heartfelt Voice Over, where he voices both local and national commercials, documentaries, e-learning, and audio books regularly. In his spare time Jeff heads the non-profit that he founded called, Children’s Holiday Magic Project, Inc. The charity produces and delivers a new digital CD radio show each year titled Holiday Magic, A Gift for Children of All Ages, to kids who must spend their holidays in Children’s Hospitals worldwide.
Don Killen – Financial Advisor
As a senior accountant for a prominent architecture firm in the Bay Area, Don has supported the Children's Holiday Magic Project since its beginning. He has volunteered in many capacities, including visiting and singing with the kids in the hospital during our holiday visit. Since relocating from San Diego to San Francisco, we have missed his big-hearted help, and we are thrilled to have him back and congratulate him on his now five grandchildren!
Marketing and Social Media Coordinator
Audrey Steidl - Events Coordinator / Fundraising
Welcome to the new Events Coordinator for the Children’s Holiday Magic Project. After attending our annual An Evening of Holiday Magic gala, Audrey was excited to become more involved with Children's Holiday Magic Project. She brings years of volunteer and event planning experience to our Board of Directors, and we're thrilled to have her and look forward to her expert input.
Audrey is the author of “The Fallen,” a globe-trotting romantic thriller full of mystery, history, and paranormal intrigue, which won the International Impact Award for Best Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller for 2024. Her next novel, “To Die For,” is coming soon, and she is hard at work on the sequel to “The Fallen.”
When she’s not writing page-turners, Audrey is a hotel contract specialist with HelmsBriscoe, bringing serious organization and event savvy to everything she does. A Kensington neighborhood resident for 25 years, she shares her home with her husband, Jamie, and their adorable Pomeranian, Loki.
Graphics Designer
Secretary
Susanne Romo - Writer / Member at Large
A big supporter of CHMP for over a decade, Susanne is proud to join the Board of Directors. She recently retired and sold her Farmer's Insurance Business but is far from sedentary. A huge dog lover, her and her husband Ernie are putting traveling in their RV at the top of the list.
ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol Shamon-Freitas – Talent Agency Owner
Shamon Freitas Agency was established in 1987. Carol Shamon, the owner, was a model herself and wanted to protect up-and-coming talent from less than reputable agents and managers. The agency was conceived as and remains a booking agency. Shamon Freitas Agency is not a school and does not take photographs. There are no fees or dues.
Several years ago Carol’s son experienced an extended stay at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego due to a severe illness. It was a very close call but thankfully, due to the wonderful care he received, his story has a successful and healthy outcome. Since then Carol has a special place in her heart for Children’s Hospitals and has generously offered her wisdom to us as a member of the Advisory Board.
John DeUlloa – Vice President of CloudHostingSetup.com
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Rita McDonald
Rita McDonald lives in Midland, Texas, and has 30+ years of experience managing real property assets in the oil and gas industry. She has worked in various roles of increasing responsibility for both public and private corporations and as a consultant. She is a native New Mexican, and earned both an MBA and a BA from the University of New Mexico before moving to Texas. She is currently working in a consulting capacity for numerous oil and gas clients, and serves as a Chapter Director for the Women’s Energy Network. She enjoys volunteering her time and talents at the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center and at Growing with Grace, a local ministry which provides weekend meals to at-risk elementary school children. Rita and her husband, Jeff McDonald, a Website Editor, have been married for 36 years. They have two grown sons who are starting their own careers, the oldest of which is engaged to be married in 2021. Jeff and Rita enjoy spending time with family and friends and travelling both near and far. They are dedicated walkers, participating in numerous 5K fundraisers.
Janelle Hickey - Non Profit Development Professional
Janelle Hickey serves as a member of the CHMP advisory board of directors, joining the team in August 2020. A nonprofit development professional, she has spent her career partnering with community-focused organizations to help make a positive difference in the world. With an academic background in public health, she received her Master of Arts degree in nonprofit management and leadership from the University of San Diego. Her previous development experience includes working with organizations focused on mental health, LGBTQ rights, HIV/AIDS advocacy, arts & culture, education, environmental justice, international humanitarian work, and community services for senior citizens and holocaust survivors.
Raised in the Central Valley of California, Janelle has a passion for helping to expand access to resources for those who live in communities of need, especially in the arts and education. She loves San Diego and it’s delightful independent coffee scene.
Teri Wilder -
Teri Wilder is passionate about healing and wellness through vibration, sound, and energy, offering transformative sessions with her unique three-pronged approach. She is delighted to express her energy healing talents as a Certified Sound Healing Practitioner and Gong Player, Reiki Master, and Certified Medical Intuitive Practitioner, that interface for a comprehensive session for her clients. Teri is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, which is how she began her relationship with Children’s Holiday Magic Project, donating original songs and a character voice (she is the voice of Trixie, the Jersey Reindeer) for the annual recordings. Now an advisory board member, she’s proud to continue this important and inspiring collaboration with “smiles for the children” as her driving force.
Steve Chertoff -
Steve has been a big supporter of CHMP for over 5 years. He currently owns and operates The Chertoff Insurance Agency, a local San Diego Farmer’s Agency since 2010. Prior to that he worked for Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, and was involved in numerous non-profit ventures and activities, such as Habitat For Humanity, and developing Partner Shops that help teach work and life skills to at risk young people.
