Who We Are

Jaime retired after twenty-one years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He earned a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in Management and Leadership from California State University, Northridge, and dedicated himself to developing scholarship programs that highlight the importance of leadership and expand opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A former collegiate tennis player, he is currently ranked among the top 10 nationally in Men’s 60s tennis.

Jaime co-founded the Foundation in 2013 and remains committed to providing as many students as possible with scholarships to support their journey toward success. The Foundation is grounded in the belief that every hardworking student deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential.

Elizabeth is a counselor with LAUSD and earned her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 2012, followed by a Master’s degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, in 2016. Her work centers on ensuring that students are informed, supported, and encouraged to pursue higher education so they can excel in their chosen fields.

Beyond her work with the Barajas Foundation, Elizabeth has volunteered her time at adult schools, tutoring centers, and high schools. She is proud of the meaningful impact the Barajas Foundation has already made within the Guadalupe Union School District.

Angela grew up in the mid-west and attended University of Minnesota before moving to Los Angeles. She currently works as Chief of Staff at Amgen in Thousand Oaks where she has been a Clinical Operations professional for the past fifteen years. She has training in project management, outsourcing, personnel management and system evaluations.  Angela understands the importance of hard work and education and wants to give others the opportunity to succeed personally and professionally. 

Josephine earned a BA degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Latin American History and has focused her work on local community outreach. She established a partnership with the Arcata Recreation Division and, through that collaboration, supported and directed Camp Odyssey within the Pacific Union Summer Enrichment Programs. She currently works as a Montessori educator and is committed to the importance of early childhood education. 

A Southern California native, Kenny Melcombe is a real estate agent serving the San Fernando Valley. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Real Estate from California State University, Northridge. He is passionate about helping people lead productive, healthy lives.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Barajas Foundation, Kenny volunteers with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Jewish Big Brothers, and the CSUN Alumni Association. In his free time, he enjoys running, swimming, mountain biking, and continuing his work in the community.

Jose earned his Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University. He has made a lasting impact in the Guadalupe Union School District, serving as a bilingual elementary school teacher, an elementary school principal, and a junior high school principal.

He is also actively engaged in the community through organizations such as the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, the Santa Barbara Foundation, and now the Barajas Foundation.