While national efforts and support are crucial, the quality of life for our military families is ultimately shaped within defense communities. Too often, discussions and decisions about important issues like housing, education, and childcare exclude the very groups most impacted – our military spouses and families. We believe spouses should have a seat at the table, with opportunities to become leaders and active participants in local decision-making that directly impacts their lives.
ADC’s Military Spouse Leadership Initiative aims to foster a new approach to defense community leadership by integrating military spouses at every stage of their military journey. This initiative is redefining the role of military spouse-leaders by creating opportunities for them to engage with communities at both local and national levels. Our goal is to establish a foundational model that can be developed nationally and scaled locally. Our vision is a future where spouse-leaders are fully integrated into the leadership of our communities and redefining how we support military quality of life.
2024-25 Military Spouses
Amanda Berube
United States Coast Guard Sector, NY
Bio
Amanda has been a military spouse in the Navy and Coast Guard for 12 years, during which time she has worked with the CDC and built connections in her community. She serves as the chairperson for the Parent Involvement Board for the CDC on base and has fostered friendships among military families through her program, ‘Lattes and Littles.’ Amanda also manages social media for the NWSE Military/Spouse Facebook page.
Taylor Davis
Ellsworth Air Force Base
Bio
Taylor is the Senior Director of Workforce Development & Partnerships at Elevate Rapid City, where she focuses on military affairs and career advancement for military spouses, veterans, and transitioning service members. She also leads the Ellsworth AFB & Camp Rapid Military Spouse Professional Network and serves as Vice President of the Team Ellsworth Spouses’ Club, continuing her work from her previous base to support military families in career, education, and volunteer pursuits. Drawing on her 12 years as a military spouse, Taylor finds her work advocating for military families to be among the most fulfilling and impactful of her career.
Kaycee Denny
Sheppard Air Force Base, TX
Bio
Kaycee has been a military spouse for four years and served for three years as a board member of the Sheppard Spouses Club. She is a Key Support Liaison for her squadron and works to become the Key Support Liaison Mentor. Professionally, she leads the Military team at the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, where she connects the surrounding community with the installation and facilitates communication between the two. She has also created the local Thrive Guide, which highlights resources for military families related to childcare, education, employment, healthcare, and housing, both on and off base.
Fadoua Harrabi
Fort Gregg Adams, VA
Bio
Fadoua has been a military spouse for only two years, but she is already committed to making an impact in her community. She volunteers with Marine Corps Community Services to help military families find jobs and is part of the Hiring Our Heroes’ Foreign-Born Spouse Network. Fadoua also serves as the Marine Corps Spouse Ambassador for the Military Spouse Advocacy Network. She finds it rewarding to engage with her community and connect with like-minded people who understand the challenges and rewards of the military spouse lifestyle.
Jennifer Kain
Moving from RAF Mildenhall, UK to Hurlburt Field, FL
Bio
Volunteering as the Lead Spouse for the Air Force Special Operations Command Women’s Initiative Team (AFSOC WIT), Jenni works to decrease women-centric barriers to readiness and service with a focus on Homefront Readiness. Jenni brings a distinctive perspective to the challenges encountered by Air Force families, drawing from her background as an enlisted spouse in the Air National Guard, an Active-Duty officer’s spouse, and her tenure as a USAF Key Support Liaison across six commanders and two Major Commands (MAJCOMS). Jenni is currently in the process of moving from RAF Mildenhall, UK, to Hurlburt Field, FL, and says that working with the barrier analysis group has been both the most challenging and the most rewarding work of her 15 years as a military spouse.
Tiffany Kelley
Robins Air Force Base, GA
Bio
Tiffany is involved in many community groups while living at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. Married for over 16 years of her spouse’s 24 years of service, Tiffany serves as the president of the Robins Spouses’ Club, the team captain of Operation Homefront, and holds several other roles in her local community. She thrives on opportunities to connect communities and create support systems for military families, just as she was supported when she first joined the military community.
Jerad Knight
Buckley Space Force Base, CO
Bio
A former service member himself, Jerad has been a military spouse for 17 years. He actively engages with both LGBTQ+ and male military spouse groups, working to forge connections and address issues affecting these communities. Within his broader community, Jerad strives to uplift voices and build relationships. He serves as an advocate for underrepresented perspectives, determined to reflect their interests and values to the military community.
Kaitlyn Miller
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
Bio
Living at Andersen Air Force Base, Kaitlyn works as an ambassador for the Military Mom Collective and is the longest-serving Commander’s Key Support Liaison for the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron. In her community, she volunteers at the Rock ‘n Rail Horse Ranch, helping kids create memories and learn to ride horses. Kaitlyn also volunteers at schools on base, assisting with community events for military kids and families. She is proud to build friendships wherever the military community takes her.
Katelyn Nixon
Fort Liberty, NC
Bio
Katelyn has been a military spouse for 12 years. She works as a Career Connection Coordinator for North Carolina for Military Employment, fostering business opportunities for the military community. She is also a member of the Military Spouse Resilience Campaign, an important focus of North Carolina’s Military Affairs Commission. Katelyn is proud to be part of such a resilient and capable community and is grateful for the connections the military life has brought her.
Megan Paone
MacDill Air Force Base
Bio
Megan has been a military spouse for 10 years and has been stationed at various locations across the country, as well as once in Japan. She volunteers with the Secure Families Initiative, which works to amplify the voices of military families to ensure their concerns are represented in policy decisions. Through this work, Megan has helped register people to vote so their opinions are counted. She values the incredible people she has met as a military spouse and has enjoyed experiencing different cultures with her family.
Bridget Plummer
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Bio
Having been a military spouse for 22 years, Bridget has spent years working with military schools and now serves as the School Liaison Officer for Fort Leonard Wood. In this role, she works with 10 school districts and two private schools to ensure military families receive the resources they need to succeed. Throughout her time as a military spouse, Bridget has had the opportunity to work with many unique teams and has gained valuable perspective on how to creatively solve problems.
Amanda Scott
United States Air Force Academy, CO
Bio
A dedicated military spouse advocate, Amanda volunteers with Hiring Our Heroes to support career-minded military spouses in maintaining their careers. She is also involved with the Colorado Springs Military Spouse Community Coalition and her company’s Military Employee Resource Group, helping to build a network of military families in both organizations. Amanda deeply admires the tenacity, compassion, and altruism within the military community, and she strives to ensure that the larger civilian population knows how to support this remarkable group.
Varsha Robinson
Fort Knox, KY
Bio
A military spouse for 17 years, Varsha is dedicated to helping her community and building strong bonds. She volunteers at the Committee House, supporting women overcoming addiction focusing on long term sobriety, and mentors young teen girls through her Sorority’s Rhoer program. As a member of the Fort Knox school board, the Fort Knox Spouses and Community Club, and various other community organizations, Varsha works to create strong ties within her community and foster spaces where others can do the same.
Francesca Suarez
Hill Air Force Base, UT
Bio
Francesca has been a military spouse for 22 years, spending time across the country and even in the UK. While pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology, she serves as the team lead for her school district’s military support team and is a member of the Project One Initiative at Hill Air Force Base, where she works to foster community connectivity and belonging. She has dedicated herself to connecting military leaders with the communities they serve.
Miranda Wright
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Bio
Miranda lives on base at Aberdeen Proving Ground and has been a military spouse for 19 years. She has lived on five different bases across the U.S. and two in Germany, always bringing a willingness to contribute to each community she joins. Miranda currently serves as the property chair for the local Community Spouses Club, working to increase access to services for military members. She volunteers as a research and data assistant with Independent Wellness and at her local church, where she teaches children and trains additional leaders.
Program Timeline
June 14
Nomination period opens.
July 31
Nomination period closes and selection committee will choose spouses to join the initiative.
August – October
New selection of spouses will meet virtually to discuss plans to attend ADC’s Installation Innovation Forum.
October 28 – 30
Spouses attend ADC’s Installation Innovation Forum in San Antionio, TX.
November
The Installation Innovation Forum After Action Report is created and shared.
December – March
Spouses will meet virtually to discuss plans to attend ADC’s Defense Communities National Summit.
March 31 – April 2
Spouses ADC’s Defense Communities National Summit in Arlington, VA.
April – May
The Defense Communities National Summit After Action Report is created and shared.