Brazos Extendidos Board of directors

---

Rooted in nonprofit administration and organizational health, Jason DeaBueno joined the

Brazos Extendidos Board of Directors as President, bringing more than 30 years of leadership

experience to the organization. Jason approaches his volunteer Board work from a place of

heart and genuine curiosity. A Colorado Springs native, he serves as President and CEO of Silver

Key, leading efforts to strengthen community impact and enhance the lives of older adults.

Jason has guided strategic planning and organizational development for some of the most

community-focused nonprofits across Colorado and California—spanning many worthwhile

missions and domains of social impact. He is a licensed clinical social worker with Master’s

degrees in business and social administration. Jason’s work bridges people, purpose, and

performance—proving that meaningful, preventive impact is possible even in complex systems.

“My vision for Brazos Extendidos is simple but bold: to walk alongside families with compassion,

cultural humility, and the resources they need to build stronger, healthier futures.” -Jason

DeaBueno

Carlos Jimenez is a dedicated educator, nonprofit leader, and advocate  for educational opportunity who has spent more than 20 years helping  students and families pursue pathways to college, career success, and  economic mobility. He currently serves as Assistant  Vice Chancellor of Admission and Precollege Outreach at the University  of Colorado Boulder and previously served as CEO of Peak Education, a  Colorado Springs-based nonprofit focused on college access and student  success.

A committed community leader, Carlos serves as Chair of the Atlas  Schools Board and Chair of the Teach For America Colorado Regional  Board. He is also a member of the El Pomar Foundation Hispanic Advisory  Council and serves on the boards of several community  organizations throughout the Pikes Peak region and Colorado.

Carlos is passionate about expanding opportunities for students and  families and strengthening communities through education, mentorship,  and service. He holds degrees from Colorado College and the University  of Colorado Colorado Springs and is currently pursuing  a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Change at the University  of Southern California.

Maria specializes in issues affecting the Latino community and she offers services in English and Spanish. In addition, she provides evidenced based practices to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, substance abuse, family conflict, anger management and PTSD.  Maria is acutely aware of the unique needs of the Hispanic population, which has driven her to found Brazos Extendidos, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Hispanics in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. Through Brazos Extendidos, Maria works to address the specific challenges faced by the Latino community, providing resources, support, and culturally sensitive services to help them thrive. Her commitment to meeting the needs of this population is a testament to her dedication to her community and her mission to make a positive impact on the lives of those she serves.

Maria started her professional career in San Antonio Texas providing services to individuals across the lifespan. Professionally, Maria has served individuals and families in Texas, Florida and Colorado. Maria holds a Master’s in Counseling and a Master’s in Business Administration. https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/514e7fa2-634f-4ca8-b97e-c816cef1b505/IMG_6718.jpeg/:/cr=t:1.3%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:75%25/rs=w:730,h:730,cg:true Maria has been Licensed Professional Counselor since 2001 and is a Licensed Addiction Counselor which allows her to provide services to individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Maura is a dedicated advocate and community leader with  deep roots in the Latino community. She holds a Master’s degree in  Project Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, bringing  a strong blend of strategic, organizational, and  justice focused experience to her work. With a background as a Family Advocate, Maura has worked closely with  individuals and families to navigate complex systems, access critical  resources, and amplify their voices. Her professional and lived  experience informs a strong commitment to equity,  community empowerment, and culturally responsive services.
 

As a board member, Maura is passionate about advancing the  organization’s mission, strengthening community partnerships, and  supporting programs that create meaningful, lasting impact for  underserved populations.

Mr. Berger joined the board of directors for Brazos Extendidos in 2024.  Since 2007, he has worked for the Department of the Air Force at Schriever SFB and Peterson SFB in Colorado.  Currently, he is serving as the technical director for one of the U.S. Space Force’s test and evaluation squadrons.  In that role, he is responsible for ensuring new space systems meet the U.S.’s national defense needs.  Jeff enlisted in the USAF in 1984, commissioned in 1985 and retired after a distinguished 22 years of service. In the late 1980s, Jeff was the vice president of the locally operated, Terros Hotline, a round-the-clock, all-volunteer, suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline, serving the Colorado Springs community. 

Jeff has a ME in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University, a MS in Space Operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Jeff’s professional interests include applications for artificial intelligence, multicriteria decision making, and process optimization. He spends his free time with family, traveling, and doing both if possible.

Shkak  is an IT professional with over 15 years of hands-on experience  delivering reliable, scalable technology solutions for growing  businesses. Shkak is the owner of SFY Technology and focuses on helping  organizations simplify IT, strengthen security, and stay ahead in an  ever-changing tech landscape.

Serving  as a board member, Shkak is passionate about moving the organization’s  mission forward,  and supporting  programs that bring meaningful, lasting change to underserved  populations.