THE SHIELD OF GOD FOUNDATION
THE SHIELD OF GOD FOUNDATION
Meet Our Board of Directors
Meet Our Board of Directors
April Poyorena
Founder & President
April lives in Thousand Oaks, CA where she works as a Legal Assistant for a Family Law & Real Estate attorney. She has 3 daughters, 1 son, and 1 grand-daughter. She currently works full time while serving as President on the board of directors for The Shield of God Foundation. She attended and graduated from School of Ministry at Water of Life Church in 2018 with her mom, Sheryl Costa. She attends Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA where she serves with the Care Ministry praying with others. You can also occasionally catch her singing back-up vocals for the Worship Team. She also completed a Discipleship program at her church to further her ministry education. As a survivor of long-term sexual abuse and domestic violence she developed a passion for helping and caring for people in similar circumstances. She aspires to dedicate her life, career, and ministry to operating The Shield of God Foundation full-time. In her free time she enjoys spending quality time with her kids, reading, writing, singing worship music, and long days at the beach.
Jeff Brasfield
Treasurer
Jeff Brasfield spent the first 15 years of his career specializing in tax, audit and general accounting. In 2012, Jeff started his own bookkeeping and CFO services company, focusing on “back office” accounting services for small businesses. He has spent recent years transforming and growing his business into a virtual setting, allowing his company to take on clients around the U.S. As an extension of his belief in “giving back”, Jeff has served as Treasurer of Cancer Can Rock (https://cancercanrock.org) since 2017, a small nonprofit based in Northern Virginia, and Treasurer for Shield of God (https://shieldofgod.org ), based in Southern California since Fall 2021. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and dog, going to the beach as often as possible and playing guitar.
Jeff Brasfield spent the first 15 years of his career specializing in tax, audit and general accounting. In 2012, Jeff started his own bookkeeping and CFO services company, focusing on “back office” accounting services for small businesses. He has spent recent years transforming and growing his business into a virtual setting, allowing his company to take on clients around the U.S. As an extension of his belief in “giving back”, Jeff has served as Treasurer of Cancer Can Rock (https://cancercanrock.org) since 2017, a small nonprofit based in Northern Virginia, and Treasurer for Shield of God (https://shieldofgod.org ), based in Southern California since Fall 2021. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and dog, going to the beach as often as possible and playing guitar.
Michelle Bartley
Secretary
Sheryl Costa
Senior Advisor
Sheryl lives in Wrightwood, CA with her husband Jim Costa. She has two grown children, seven grandchildren and one great-grand-daughter. Sheryl currently works as a Substance Abuse Counselor for San Bernardino County Probation Department. She has two degrees; Substance Abuse Counseling and Photography. Sheryl has served as the Secretary on the Board of Directors for Mid Valley Recovery Service for five years. She also served as President for The Brian Michael Foundation for eleven years. Sheryl has been involved with 12-step programs for over 36 years and has held various service positions. She is currently attending Water of Life Community Church in Fontana, California where she serves with the security team and as a facilitator for School of Ministry. Sheryl graduated from the School of Ministry with her daughter April Poyorena in 2018.
Novel Carter J.D.
Legal Advisor
Kelly Barreca
Program & Services
Committee Chair
Kelly lives in Westlake Village CA with her daughter and has another daughter that lives in Austin, Texas. She has spent the past 16 years working in Special Education and is a fierce advocate for the neurodiversity population.
She has a bachelor's degree in Child & Adolescent Psychology and is currently completing her Master's at Pepperdine University in clinical counseling.
She is a member of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA where she serves as a visiting Chaplain through Calvary’s Care Ministries.
Her goal is to always be of service to those in need and to share the word of God.
Kelly lives in Westlake Village CA with her daughter and has another daughter that lives in Austin, Texas. She has spent the past 16 years working in Special Education and is a fierce advocate for the neurodiversity population.
She has a bachelor's degree in Child & Adolescent Psychology and is currently completing her Master's at Pepperdine University in clinical counseling.
She is a member of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA where she serves as a visiting Chaplain through Calvary’s Care Ministries.
Her goal is to always be of service to those in need and to share the word of God.