Why Empowered Mosaic
Everything changed in 2016 when Jeff’s military career ended unexpectedly.
What followed were surgeries, rehabilitation, and the quiet realization that transition is harder than anyone prepares you for. During his recovery at the Intrepid Center in San Antonio, nonprofit organizations stepped in — not just with medical care, but with emotional and relational support that stabilized our family in a season of uncertainty.
That experience revealed something powerful: healing does not happen in isolation. It happens in community. It happens when veterans sit beside other veterans and do not have to explain themselves.
After Jeff’s retirement, we chose Colorado to begin our next chapter. But service did not end. It simply changed form. With our son and daughter-in-law currently serving overseas, the realities of military life remain deeply personal.
Empowered Mosaic Veterans Program was created to return what was once given to us — structured, peer-led spaces where veterans and their families can rebuild resilience, restore connection, and move forward together.
Our Founders
Jeff Deickman
Founder
Jeff Deickman’s life has been defined by service, discipline, and leadership. Over more than 20 years in the United States Army, he served in demanding roles across the globe — from assignments in Korea to special duties in Washington, D.C. He contributed to critical national security missions with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and represented the United States on the world stage as a World Class Athlete, competing in Judo at the World Games. His career reflects a commitment to excellence at every level.
When a career-ending injury brought his military service to an abrupt close, Jeff faced a new mission: transition. During his recovery at the Center for the Intrepid, he became deeply involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, participating in Soldier Ride and weekly rehabilitation events. These programs did more than support physical healing — they restored connection, confidence, and purpose.
Following retirement, Jeff continued serving the military community in higher education as Assistant Director of Veteran and Military Affairs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. There, he removed barriers for military-affiliated students and built partnerships that created clear pathways for success, earning recognition as a Veterans Champion in Higher Education by GI Jobs.
Today, Jeff channels his experience into building structured, peer-led spaces where veterans reconnect with strength, community, and purpose.
Retired U.S. Army, 20+ Years of Service
Dr. Haana Deickman
Dr. Haana Deickman’s path into education began because of the military community.
While stationed in Korea, a fellow military spouse she met through Jeff’s Judo training encouraged her to apply for a position as a paraprofessional on base. What started as a simple recommendation became a calling. Working alongside military-connected students and families, Haana saw firsthand how service life shapes identity, resilience, and transition — especially for spouses and children.
That early experience led her to pursue a career in education, where she would spend more than 20 years serving students and families across diverse communities. She later earned her Doctorate in Education with a focus on culturally responsive leadership, centering her work on belonging, support, and systems that strengthen people during times of change.
When Jeff’s career-ending injury reshaped their family’s future, Haana navigated the uncertainty not just as an educator, but as a military spouse who understood how deeply transition affects the entire household. The nonprofit support their family received during that season reinforced what she had seen years earlier — community changes outcomes.
Empowered Mosaic Veterans Program was built from that lived understanding: veterans do not transition alone, and neither do their families. Haana’s mission is to create structured, intentional spaces where both feel supported, seen, and strengthened.
Founder/ Executive Director
Doctor of Education | Veteran & Family Advocate
Together, Jeff and Haana lead Empowered Mosaic Veterans Program with one shared belief: transition should not be navigated alone.
Their work blends lived military experience, educational leadership, and community-centered care to create structured spaces where veterans and their families rebuild strength, connection, and purpose.