Meet the Team:
The Down Syndrome Association of Brevard (DSAB) is a 501 (c)(3) Florida non-profit organization, founded in 2006, dedicated to support, early intervention, education, awareness, and advocacy for persons with Down syndrome and their families.
DSAB is governed by a Board of Directors made up of Officers and an Executive Director. Officers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary) are elected by the Board each year at the January meeting. Our board meets monthly to ensure successful execution of our mission.
Staff
In 2013 Victoria and her husband James welcomed their first child, Kristalyn, born with Down syndrome and a multitude of surprise health complications. Though Kristalyn is still fed through a g-tube she is healthy and very proud to be the big sister to Hailey (2015), Brooklyn (2018) and James IV (2023). Through Kristalyn, Victoria has found a mission supporting and advocating for persons with Down syndrome.
Victoria is a former Rollins College softball player/graduate and business executive. She and her husband own and operate East Coast Metalworks LLC. After serving on the board of directors for 8 years, Victoria is thrilled to be the DSAB Executive Director, and is excited to bring on new ideas, partners and ways to support those with Down syndrome in Brevard County.
Contact: director@dsabrevard.org
Board of Directors
Steve and his family moved to Melbourne from Maryland in 2018, where Steve volunteered as an Area Director for Special Olympics. His daughter Candace runs her own business for motivational speaking called Great Life Unlimited and was featured in the 2020 DSAB virtual Buddy Walk. Steve, who enjoys anything to do with physical fitness, is also a retired educator and award-wining school principal. In fact, he was named Principal of the Year in Maryland in 2015-2016. Steve is also active with Suntree United Methodist Church and the Coach of the DSAB Adult Fitness class.
Contact: president@dsabrevard.org
Joanna “Jo” Kiel, a Maryland native, comes from a close-knit family of five sisters, including her youngest sister, Lexi, who was born with Down syndrome. Inspired by Lexi, Jo has been deeply involved in the Down syndrome community, coaching Special Olympics Cheerleading in both Maryland and Brevard County.
A graduate of Marshall University and former NFL Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader, Jo moved to Brevard in 2014. After a decade as an environmental scientist, she now works as a Business Development Manager at Embraer Executive Jets. Jo loves life on the Space Coast with her husband, Ryan, and their two boys, Brady (5) and Ryder (4), and is excited to support DSAB families and businesses in Brevard.
Contact: jok@dsabrevard.org
Jay and his wife, Donna, have lived in Brevard County since 1999 and are proud parents to Joel and Evan, who has Down syndrome. A retired CEO and Nasdaq-listed company board member, Jay stays active in leadership roles, serving on the DSAB Board and the National Down Syndrome Congress Board of Trustees.
In his spare time, he coaches Tim’s Kids, helping children with disabilities learn hockey, and plays competitively himself. He also enjoys running, kayaking, biking, golfing, traveling, and reading.
Contact: treasurer@dsabrevard.org
A lifelong Brevard County native, Charles learned in high school that his younger cousin Nicholas had Down syndrome, sparking his passion for advocacy. After earning a finance and economics degree from UCF in 2021, he pursued a career in commercial real estate with Lightle Becker Robison, building value for clients and connections with local business leaders.
In college, Charles helped raise nearly $15,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He has held leadership roles with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Brevard County Ocean Rescue, and the American Life Saving Association. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, fishing, hiking, and playing the viola.
Contact: charlesd@dsabrevard.org
Debbie and her husband Brian are lifelong Brevard County residents and community leaders. A retired educator, she was the guardian advocate for her late brother Scotty, who had Down syndrome. Active in the Junior League and Calvary Chapel Church, she helped establish the Jedi program, an inclusive education initiative for students with Down syndrome.
Passionate about advocacy, Debbie is eager to expand fundraising efforts and enhance adult programming for individuals with Down syndrome.
Debbie Irizarry started with DSAB in 2023. But is not new to volunteering. Serving is her spiritual gift, and she has answered that call through volunteering through a non-profit and her church. These volunteer opportunities include: Daily Bread, helping the homeless population of Brevard and serving her church’s homebound community with communion. She has lived in Viera since —2015 with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her two Maltese dogs, being outdoors, on the water and always up for trying something new.
Theresa has been a Brevard County resident since 1994 and has always been a dedicated advocate for her brother Anthony, who has Down syndrome. After becoming his full-time caregiver in 2015, she discovered DSAB and felt inspired to give back to the community.
Owner of Manatee Promotions, LLC since 2008, Theresa has provided marketing solutions to businesses and nonprofits while actively engaging in the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce. With a background in supported employment, she is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her dog, Penny.
Jamie is a Florida native born in Fort Lauderdale. He lived in Deerfield Beach for 30 years before moving to Viera. Jamie joined the DSAB board in 2023 as our first self-advocate. Jamie has one older brother who is married with 2 children and he loves being an uncle playing at the park with his nephew and niece.
Jamie has worked at Chick-fil-A for over ten years first in Pompano Beach for seven years and for the last three years in Viera. Jamie has been an athlete in Special Olympics since elementary school participating in basketball, soccer, pickleball, golf and bowling. At home, he enjoys spending time with his dog, Bonnie.