Initiative Graduates

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

A military spouse for nearly 30 years, Janet is deeply involved in her defense community. With time spent at 12 installations, Janet is very familiar with the joys and difficulties in adjusting to a new location. In her current community, Janet is heavily involved in her local Five & Thrive Team. As part of this team, she gives briefings to multiple base entities to include newcomer’s orientations and advocates for spouses by collaborating with a wide range of organizations – both on and off base.

As military veteran and proud Air Force spouse, Lauren is active on base and in the community — most notably working with South Dakota civic leaders to unanimously pass state legislation supporting spouse reciprocity in 2019. Having recently moved back to Ellsworth AFB, she now serves as lead spouse, key spouse mentor for the 28th Operations Group and an advisor to The Ellsworth Spouses Club. She also works full time remotely as the Assistant Vice President for Community Investment and Analytics for United Way of the Midlands.

Laura has been a military spouse for over 20 years. Currently stationed on the east coast, the Myer family has been served at a multitude of locations, both stateside and abroad. While moves are not without their difficulty, Laura describes them as rewarding, noting that these diverse experiences are deeply enriching for her children. In her current defense community, Laura is involved in programs that help welcome spouses to the installation and to military life.

Maria has served as a military spouse and active-duty officer for 15 years. She is active on the Department of the Air Force Women’s Initiative Team, in Space Spouses of the NCR, and in her local community – as a Sunday school teacher, baseball mom, and neighborhood party planner. Maria is currently assigned to Space Force Headquarters, where she provides strategic-level science and technology program management.

As a military spouse of 21 years, Vanessa has been stationed at four different bases. Throughout this time she has been involved in a number of organizations including University of Texas Veterans Spouse Network, Dress for Success, Hiring Our Heroes/Amplify, USAA-MilSpouse Fest, Second Service Foundation, and most recently working for Austin Community College to help veterans and military families in Central Texas.

Renee has been a military spouse for 22 years, is the mother of three children ages 12, 17 and 18 and works as a registered nurse in a local community health clinic. She volunteers in a variety of organizations on base and regularly partners with MCCS on the development and utilization of programming for our military families. Additionally, Renee serves in her local community by coaching girls high school lacrosse and has spent several years volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps.

Torry has been a military spouse for 25 years. During this time, she and her family have been stationed at over 10 installations. Throughout this time, she has participated in a variety of community organizations – both on and off base. For Torry, the most rewarding part of being a military spouse has been the places her family has seen, adventures they have had, and the people they have met. However, the frequent relocation isn’t without difficulty. Torry said the most challenging part of being a military spouse has been distance from family. For the past 21 years, Torry has been a homeschool educator.