Peter retired from the Jamaica Police Department and migrated to the United States in 1983. He continued his career in law enforcement by joining the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1988. While serving as a police officer, Peter attended the University of La Verne, California, where he graduated Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration. He is also a graduate of the LAPD West Point Leadership Program, the FBI National Academy, and Texas A&M Engineering Extension (TEEX). When he eventually retired in 2018, he held the rank of Captain, and Commanding Officer of the Criminal Gang-Homicide Division.

Peter’s involvement as an advocate for the Down syndrome community started with the birth of his daughter, Sophia, in November 1998. Prior to relocating to Las Vegas in 2018, Peter participated in various activities sponsored by Down syndrome organizations in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties. However, Peter and his wife, Belinda, were primarily involved in the development, support, and sponsorship of programs for “Up for Downs,” a subsidiary Down syndrome organization of DSA/LA, which later evolved into the Inland Valley Down Syndrome Association. In the 20 years that Sophia was a member of that organization, Peter was involved in the planning, coordination, and/or sponsorship of their annual Buddy Walk event and other programs/activities. When Peter made Las Vegas his home, he continued his involvement, advocacy and support for persons diagnosed with Down syndrome, initially through DSOSN, and later with Best Buddies. Peter is happy to return to DSOSN, where he has continued his advocacy and support for not only persons diagnosed with Down syndrome, but also for all persons in the broader intellectual and developmental disability community.

Mindy Rodrigues-Habib is an award-winning educator, advocate, and educational consultant. Providing services and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families is her true passion. During her extensive career as a special education teacher and school administrator, she worked tirelessly to improve the educational, social and employability outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Southern Nevada. As a Board member, Mindy has committed her time, energy, and resources to support the collective efforts of her fellow Board members to rebuild DSOSN. As part of this personal commitment, she is working tirelessly to ensure that the organization become a steadfast model of advocacy and a pillar of service for all persons diagnosed with Down syndrome and other intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) in the community.

Over the years, Mindy has supported numerous nonprofit agencies through fundraising efforts, education, consulting, and leadership. On a personal note, she enjoys her family, especially her adventurous role of raising her three little girls (Isabella, Grace, and Emily), and the many fun things that she does with them; including cooking, music and creating art. Mindy is enthusiastic about serving as Vice Chair on the DSOSN Board of Directors, and she looks forward to using her position to influence the kind of change in the organization that will result in better advocacy and the highest level of service for individuals in our community who are diagnosed with Down syndrome and other IDDs.