The Hero Makers, in Bend Oregon, was started in 2020, by Shannon Pugerude, M.Ed & Jules Rice, PSS (Peer Support Specialist) as a dream to create a collaborative place where families who need support can receive it, from those who have been there themselves. After looking hard for services for their own neuro-diverse youth and not finding much out there they decided to create something for others to share what they have learned. The Hero Makers strive to Collaborate, Educate and Advocate with families and organizations to create one system of care. We promote resilience building and trauma informed practices for managing challenges by utilizing techniques we've learned through education, training & personal experience.

Shannon Pugerude, (she/her), M.Ed & Certified Collaborative Problem Solving Trainer

Founder, The Hero Makers

Shannon has had the privilege of raising three creative, fun and spunky kids and knowing and walking beside so many incredible youth and their families in her career. She has a huge heart for all and believes in the Collaborative Problem Solving® philosophy that “we all do well when we can." Shannon holds a Masters in Child Development and Early Childhood Special Education, she has taught Special Education ages birth - Grade 8 for 20 years.  She was a co-founder of Wyldwoodz Resource Center, Oregon Family Support Network Regional Director and Certified Peer Support Specialist and Trainer. She offers training on various topics surrounding Trauma Informed Care & Resilience building practices and support for families and professionals, she is a certified trainer for both Think:Kids©️ Collaborative Problem Solving® & Make Parenting a Pleasure Certified Trainer.

Jules Rice, (she/her), Certified Collaborative Parent Trainer & Certified Therapeutic Life Story Practitioner

Founder, The Hero Makers

Jules comes from years of personal experience raising children with behavior challenges & has learned so much from them. If not for them she wouldn't be where she is today.  It's now time for her to give back to the community by giving others the hope, help, and healing that she has received.  Jules is a Certified as a Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) parent trainer and a Certified Therapeutic Life Story Practitioner, Certified Support Group Leader, and trained in FASD and a Parent Coach. She is fun loving, caring, empathetic and will help with any challenges one is facing.  She has a gift for what she does & would like folks to know she has a genuine love for helping people.

Rachel Nicolosi, M.Ad.Ed.

Training Executive

Rachel has worked for over 20 years in the field of adult education and literacy. She is an advocate for the Collaborative Problem Solving approach and a lifelong learner on how to live into the philosophy that "we all do well if we can."

She has a Masters Degree in Adult Education and also works with organizations doing good in the world to incorporate what we know about how adults learn for deep, personal learning that lasts.

She is from New Orleans and loves her home in Bend with her family. She stays energized through involvement in her children’s schools, her community, her carnival krewe, and spending time outdoors.