Meet the Founders

Empowered Mosaic was built from lived experience, shared service, and a deep commitment to giving back.

Dr. Haana and Jeff Deickman met in San Antonio while Jeff was serving as an instructor at Fort Sam Houston. Like many military families, their life together was shaped by service and constant movement, with stations in South Korea, Washington D.C., and Georgia, while building careers, raising a family, and navigating the realities of military life.

In 2016, everything changed when Jeff experienced a career ending injury. His recovery required treatment at the Intrepid Center in San Antonio, marking a challenging transition for their family. During that time, several nonprofits stepped in to provide care, support, and stability. That support extended beyond medical treatment and addressed the emotional and relational toll of service and injury.

When Jeff retired from the Army, they chose Colorado as the place to begin their next chapter. The legacy of service for the Deickman family continues as Jeff’s son, Jordan, and daughter in law, Juana, who are currently serving overseas, their connection to military life remains deeply personal.

Empowered Mosaic was created as a way to give back what was once given to them. Their shared mission is simple. To create spaces focused on wellness, restoration, and connection for veterans and their families.


  • Founder

    Jeff Deickman – A Life of Service and Advocacy

    Jeff Deickman’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to those who serve. With over 20 years of military service and multiple combat tours, Jeff knows firsthand the sacrifices made by service members and their families. His career came to an abrupt end after sustaining a career-ending injury, a turning point that introduced him to the power of community and holistic healing—experiences that would shape his life’s mission.

    Throughout his military career, Jeff served in diverse and demanding roles, from assignments in Korea to special duties in Washington, D.C.. He contributed to critical missions with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and represented the U.S. military on the world stage as a World Class Athlete, competing in Judo at the World Games. These experiences reflect not only his operational expertise but also his dedication to excellence and service at every level.

    During his recovery, Jeff became deeply involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, participating in programs like Soldier Ride and weekly rehabilitation events at the Center for the Intrepid. These programs didn’t just help him heal physically—they restored his sense of purpose and connection. Jeff credits these experiences as instrumental in his transition and now works to ensure other veterans have access to similar opportunities for growth and wellness.

    After retiring from the military, Jeff dedicated nearly a decade to higher education, serving as Assistant Director of Veteran and Military Affairs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). In this role, he championed initiatives that removed barriers for military-affiliated students, earning recognition as a Veterans Champion in Higher Education by GI Jobs. His leadership extended beyond campus, collaborating with military installations and community partners to create pathways for success.

    Jeff’s commitment to service also led him to public leadership, where he was featured by New Politics for his efforts to bring integrity and mission-driven values to civic engagement. Whether in uniform, on campus, or in the community, Jeff has consistently worked to empower others and build programs that make a lasting impact.

    Today, Jeff channels his experience into nonprofit work focused on wellness through outdoor engagement. He believes the outdoors offers more than recreation—it provides a sanctuary for healing, a space for camaraderie, and a foundation for rediscovering purpose. His vision is simple yet powerful: to create opportunities where veterans, service members, and their families can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally in the beauty of nature.

  • Dr. Haana Deickman is the founder of Empowered Mosaic, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and their families restore, reconnect, and rebuild their well-being through nature-based and trauma-informed experiences. She is a former Army wife and longtime educator with over 20 years of service to students, families, and communities. Haana has led schools across multiple settings, and her work in culturally responsive leadership has influenced practices in every sector she’s touched.

    Her experience navigating her husband Jeff’s military service—and the career-ending injury that reshaped their family’s life—connected her to a nonprofit that stepped in during a critical moment. That support became the spark for Empowered Mosaic and her commitment to creating meaningful, healing spaces for the veteran community.

    Her mission is simple:
    create spaces where veterans and their families feel supported, seen, and strengthened.