SER YouthBuild Learning Academy in Detroit, Michigan

BOARD MEMBERS

Maizie Perez

Felix Valbuena, Jr., MD, DABFM, FAAFP

CEO
CHASS Center

As a bilingual/bicultural physician, Dr. Felix Valbuena is committed to providing culturally proficient health care in one’s native language to ensure a better understanding of, and adherence to, medical treatment. He is an active supporter of Federally Qualified Health Centers, currently serving as Clinician Representative on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Community Health Centers and Board member of the Michigan Primary Care Association. He is a 2007 recipient of the Degree of Fellow from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Valbuena is also a Contracted Academic Faculty in the Department of Family Medicine at Henry Ford Hospital.

BELDA GARZA

• Member of MDP Hispanic Latino Caucus
• LASED Board Member
• Former State Representative, Detroit
• Former President, MANA DE METRO DETROIT
• Board Member, LASED (Latin Americans for Social and Economic Justice)
• Former Board Member, SER Metro Detroit
• Member, Mexican Patriotic Committee
• Member, CHA (Consortium of Hispanic Agencies)
• Former Member of Protect Michigan Commission Latinx work group

Belda has a wealth of experience in politics, management, and 40 years of community organizing. She has worked with federal, state, city and local organizations in a variety of capacities, including as Assistant Executive Director of Michigan Metro Girl Scouts, and Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Detroit. She was also a Community Specialist for the 2010 Census.

Belda is retired but does consulting work with PMA Consultants LLC.

RICO RAZO

Director
Bridging Neighborhoods

Rico Razo currently serves the City of Detroit as the Director of Bridging Neighborhoods. He oversees a $32.6 million dollar optional housing relocation & environmental mitigation program related to the incoming Gordie Howe International Bridge.

After a stint in Major League Baseball, with the Detroit Tigers, Rico became a Youth Development Professional in Southwest Detroit with SER Metro. During his tenure there he trained and mentored thousands of youth. These youth included high school students, high school dropouts, and individuals returning home from prison.

Outside of being a Youth Development Professional, Mr. Razo volunteered a lot of his time in 20013 as a Neighborhood Team Leader and helped to get Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan elected in a historic write-in campaign. Mr. Razo went on to serve 107,000 residents as the Mayoral appointed District 6 Manager, served as Hillary Clinton’s Detroit Coordinated Campaign Director, and ran Mayor Mike Duggan’s 2017 landslide re-election campaign.  Mr. Razo attended Wayne State University for a Bachelor’s in Business Management, is from Southwest Detroit & currently resides on the West Side. He sits on a number of boards, councils, and advisory committees.

When he’s not working or volunteering, Rico loves spending time with his wife, family, and makes time to run/play sports.

Ines de Jesus

Ines de Jesus, a native of Puerto Rico, former Assosciate Superintendent for Human Resources, Detroit Public Schools, has been an educator, community advocate, activist, and organizer working in the Detroit community for over 40 years in numerous capacities including teacher, administrator, school leader, central office executive, and consultant for school districts, several community agencies and local universities. 

After retiring from Detroit Public Schools, Ines led the implementation of the Community Schools model in 15 DPSCD schools. During the last five years, Ines was employed as an education consultant and part-time employee, working with Attendance Works and ESDCD (Every School Day Counts Detroit) providing professional development and support to school staff in addressing chronic absenteeism at DPSCD and selected charter schools.

Ines earned a BS in Bilingual/ESL education, an MA in Reading Instruction, and an Ed Specialist in General Administration & Supervision from Wayne State University.  Additionally, Ines is a certified HR professional earning Human Resource Specialist Certification, Michigan State University.

Through her commitment, leadership roles, and volunteerism  in the education sector as well as community based organizations and boards, Ines has been instrumental in increasing services and opportunities for the Detroit community, particularly the Latino community, in several areas:  bilingual education, “grow your own” teachers’ programs, police community relations, gang prevention, youth development, youth mentorship programs, parent engagement, race relations, diversity, and civic engagement.

While Ines has served on numerous boards at the local community, city-wide and state board level, currently she is a board member on the following local boards: Mana de Metro Detroit, All Saints Literacy Center, Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, 482 Forward, and Michigan First Credit Union.

MAIZIE PEREZ

Senior Human Resources / General Affairs Manager
Mobis North America

Maizie Perez is the Senior Human Resources/General Affairs Manager for Mobis North America since January 2013 providing expert support and leadership for their Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio operations.  Prior to her employment with Mobis North America, she worked with Pepsi Beverages Corporation as Human Resources Coordinator and with SER Metro Detroit as Human Resources Representative for a period of twelve years. 

During her tenure with SER Metro Detroit, Maizie completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Management at the University of Phoenix and a Master Degree of Science in Business Administration and Human Resources Management.  In her current position at Mobis North America, Maizie provides oversight and leadership to the Human Resources and General Affairs Divisions where she also holds the leadership role of chief labor relations negotiator.  She has served on multiple non-profit boards over the years and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the SER YouthBuild Learning Academy, a chartered high school by Detroit Public Schools Community District. 

Maizie loves to spend time with family and her hobbies include dancing, traveling and exploring vineyards.  She is married to Leo and has a pet named Khalua.