About Us:
Bee Abled is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that embraces athletes with disabilities (AWD), as well family members, friends, caregivers, and volunteers who help and uplift our community. We support this community to achieve both mental and physical health through participation in sports and social interactions. Bee Abled is operated solely by volunteers of the community. We do our best to create meaningful and heartfelt ways to give back to the people of our community no matter the social economic class, race, or ethnicity.
Mission Statement:
Bee Abled mission is to create and advocate for an adaptive community where the differently abled work towards achieving their fitness goals.
Dedicated to:
In 2015, a spinal cord injury following surgery changed my life. All my life, my mother, Maria Gloria Suarez, had been my encourager and inspiration. During my recovery and rehabilitation, my mother was my rock. She left this life on September 17, 2021. On the one year anniversary of her passing, I am opening Bee Abled, a not-for-profit dedicated to those affected by disabilities. The name "Bee" was chosen to honor my mother, who was affectionately called "Grandma Bee". We seek to help the disability community find their abilities, to "bee abled".— Gloria Suarez, Founder & Executive Director of Bee Abled
Meet the Founder:
“I started Bee Abled to help people of all abilities, all ages, family members, friends, and caregivers let go of their limitations and achieve their fitness goals together. I want people to realize that life does go on after suffering an injury or illness.” — Gloria Suarez
Meet The Working Bees:
We are excited to be working together to help create a meaningful environment and help people see beyond their disabilities and discover their strengths.
Gloria Suarez - Founder & Executive Director
Gloria Suarez is a Hispanic (Mexican American) nonprofit leader, adaptive athlete, and advocate born and raised in Houston, Texas. A first‑generation college graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Sociology from the University of Houston–Downtown. She is also a devoted mother to one daughter.
Gloria has been active in the nonprofit sector since 2018. She spent five years working for a large international organization supporting athletes with disabilities before founding Bee Abled on September 17, 2022. Her vision was to build a community where people with disabilities could access inclusive fitness, adaptive sports, and meaningful social connection without barriers.
Alongside her leadership at Bee Abled, Gloria volunteers at TIRR Memorial Hermann as a Peer Volunteer, mentoring individuals with spinal cord injuries and offering guidance rooted in shared experience. She has lived with paralysis since February 2015 and is an active adaptive athlete. Gloria’s lived experience, professional background, and unwavering commitment to empowerment shape Bee Abled’s mission and ensure that every program upholds dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
Jazmin Suarez - Jr. Executive Director
Jazmin Suarez is a young Hispanic (Mexican American) leader born and raised in Houston, Texas. Growing up with a single mother living with paralysis, she developed a deep understanding of disability, independence, and the importance of community support from an early age. This upbringing shaped her values, strengthened her empathy, and inspired her commitment to serving others within the disability community.
Jazmin is a full‑time student at San Jacinto College with aspirations to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy, where she hopes to continue empowering individuals to achieve greater independence and quality of life. She has been volunteering since 2018, offering support to individuals with disabilities in both adult and youth settings. Through these experiences, she has gained meaningful hands‑on knowledge in adaptive recreation, communication, and participant support.
Jazmin’s lived experience, service‑driven mindset, and growing professional expertise make her a valuable member of the Bee Abled leadership team, where she contributes to creating accessible, welcoming, and empowering opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Lizette “Liz” Garza - Social Media Director
Liz Garza serves as Bee Abled’s Social Media Director, bringing creativity, strategy, and a deep commitment to community connection to the organization’s digital presence. She leads Bee Abled’s storytelling across all platforms, ensuring that every post reflects the heart of the mission: inclusion, empowerment, and celebration of adaptive athletes.
Liz specializes in crafting authentic, accessible, and engaging content that highlights the achievements of athletes, volunteers, and partners. Her work strengthens Bee Abled’s visibility, builds community engagement, and helps new members feel welcomed into the Bee Abled family.
With a passion for representation and meaningful communication, Liz plays a key role in shaping the organization’s voice and expanding its reach. Her dedication ensures that Bee Abled’s message continues to inspire connection — one story at a time.
Victor Ventura - Adaptive Sports Director
Victor Ventura is a Navy veteran and dedicated leader within the adaptive sports community. He has lived with paralysis since 2018 and brings both personal experience and professional expertise to his work supporting athletes with disabilities.
Victor is also deeply involved in a wide range of adaptive sports, including boccia, air rifle and air pistol, wheelchair lacrosse, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair soccer, and handcycling. His passion for adaptive athletics is matched by his dedication to promoting health, wellness, and full participation for individuals with disabilities. Victor also serves as a coach for Bee Abled’s adaptive sports programs, leading the organization’s Wheelchair Basketball D1 Team, Beginners Team, and Wheelchair Softball Program. His coaching approach blends technical skill, mentorship, and a deep commitment to athlete development, creating an environment where athletes of all abilities can grow, compete, and thrive.
Known for his extensive mechanical knowledge and hands on problem solving abilities, Victor is often the go to resource for adaptive equipment support and accessibility solutions. His background and practical expertise play a vital role in ensuring athletes have what they need to participate safely and confidently. Victor’s leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to athlete empowerment make him a valued member of the Bee Abled Board of Directors and a strong voice for advancing inclusive sports in the community.
Douglas “Doug” Dillard - Finance Director
Doug Dillard brings nearly two decades of professional experience spanning accounting leadership, financial planning and analysis, and technology consulting within the public accounting sector. He also served for more than eight years as Chief Financial Officer for St. Christopher Holdings and DC Partners, where he oversaw financial operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth.
Mr. Dillard graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and later earned an MBA in Accounting. He holds certifications in Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Jet Reports, previously worked as a licensed loan officer in the mortgage industry, and completed the Green Belt Certification course through the University of Houston College of Technology.
Doug has lived with paralysis for over 20 years and is an active adaptive athlete. He is passionate about expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports such as wheelchair basketball, wheelchair lacrosse, wheelchair softball, and racing. His lived experience, professional expertise, and commitment to athlete empowerment make him a strong and valued member of the Bee Abled Board of Directors.
Dr. Juan Antonio Sorto - Advisory Director
Dr. Juan A. Sorto is a first‑generation Latino leader with a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy and an extensive record of directing programs that strengthen economic development, mobility, public health, safety, security, community engagement, and housing. His work reflects a deep commitment to improving quality of life and advancing equitable opportunities in the communities he serves
Dr. Sorto is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Houston–Downtown and actively contributes to civic leadership through service on multiple boards across the Houston area. He is also the founder of Friends of El Salvador, a nonprofit organization that hosts monthly community walks in San Miguel—his hometown—to promote health, wellness, and social connection.
A passionate advocate for positive change both locally and globally, Dr. Sorto brings a strong sense of purpose to every initiative he leads. He is also a dedicated marathon runner and proudly serves as a course guide for athletes with disabilities, supporting inclusion and accessibility in endurance sports.