Ayana Garcia

Share your military spouse story:
Becoming part of the military spouse community was a path I never anticipated. Raised in the Philippines in a family of civil servants, I was inspired by their dedication to public service. My career focused on humanitarian aid and psychosocial support in conflict-affected areas, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in Public Administration in Korea, specializing in community development. While in Korea, I met my husband during his first duty assignment. We bonded over shared values and built a strong relationship, navigating cultural differences and the unique demands of military life. The COVID-19 pandemic tested our resilience, as we endured a year-long separation due to travel restrictions. This experience offered me a firsthand glimpse of the strength required in military families. In 2021, we reunited and married at Liberty State Park, a meaningful venue symbolizing my immigrant journey and his call to service inspired by 9/11. Adjusting to military life as a foreign-born spouse came with unique challenges. From navigating my immigration process to understanding the military community, my husband and I faced each step as a team. When we moved to Colorado Springs, the welcoming military community became a source of guidance and support, helping us settle into our first home and new life together. Now, I’m passionate about supporting other foreign-born spouses as they adjust to military life and build connections. Sharing resources and creating inclusive spaces has allowed me to give back to a community that has profoundly impacted my own journey. Through every challenge, we’ve embraced resilience and growth. My husband’s dedication to service and our shared commitment to each other continue to inspire me. Together, we’ve built a life grounded in purpose and community—an example of the strength found in military families.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
Leadership is about empowering others to thrive. At Fort Drum, I demonstrated this by volunteering as an ESL instructor for the Literacy of New York program. I dedicated time each week to teaching military spouses, dependents, and service members in beginner and intermediate classes. Beyond language skills, I tailored lessons to support their unique goals, helping foreign-born spouses gain confidence, rebuild professional identities, and connect with their community. Many students brought impressive professional backgrounds from their home countries, enriching our military community. Recognizing this, I collaborated with my husband to promote the program through his leadership and peers, ensuring that families in need could benefit. This experience showed me that leadership isn’t about titles but action—creating inclusive spaces where others feel valued and empowered. Supporting growth and belonging is at the heart of my commitment to the military community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Without prior experience in the military community, I approached it with curiosity and a commitment to learn. Joining the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program helped me understand networking and career opportunities for spouses, and I now share these resources to support others’ aspirations. I’ve built connections through social media groups and meetups, linking spouses to resources that foster belonging. Learning about programs like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with my husband allowed us to benefit from its advantages, and he shares this knowledge with fellow soldiers to promote financial readiness. In Colorado Springs, I joined the Military Spouse Coalition to expand my network and support spouses locally. For me, involvement means fostering connections, sharing resources, and empowering others to thrive.

Describe how you support your community:
A value that is deeply important to me is community empowerment. For me, this means creating spaces where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. Guided by this belief, I actively participate in the following organizations: Board Director for Civic Engagement and Policy, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Southern Colorado | Resident Leader, RISE Southeast Colorado Springs |Member, Colorado Springs Military Spouse Coalition | Committee Member, Denver Foundation Mental Health Scholarship | Member, El Pomar Foundation Elevating Leadership Development Asian Advisory Council | Colorado Springs Mayors Civic Leaders Fellows Alumna | Committee Member, City of Colorado Springs Community Development Advisory Council, June 2023-January 2024 | Facilitator, World Denver World Affairs Challenge Virtual Exchange, July 2022

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for the empowerment and inclusion of foreign-born military spouses within the military community. As someone who has navigated the challenges of immigration, cultural adaptation, and military life, I understand the barriers that foreign-born spouses face in finding their sense of belonging. These spouses often bring unique strengths and perspectives, yet their potential can be overlooked due to language barriers, cultural differences, or unfamiliarity with available resources. My advocacy stems from a belief that every military spouse, regardless of their background, should feel valued and supported. By empowering foreign-born spouses, we strengthen the broader military community, fostering resilience and diversity that enriches us all.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I share my advocacy by creating spaces where foreign-born military spouses feel supported and empowered. As a volunteer ESL instructor, I helped spouses build confidence and connect with their communities. Through programs like the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship, I’ve connected spouses to resources and networks to foster professional growth. I also mentor spouses through the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Southern Colorado, hosting workshops, sharing resources, and amplifying their stories to inspire action. On digital platforms, I highlight the resilience of foreign-born spouses and celebrate the diversity of the military community. To strengthen my advocacy, I’ve pursued leadership training and public speaking workshops, enabling me to represent foreign-born spouses at events and panels. My goal is to ensure these spouses are celebrated and supported, contributing their unique perspectives to the military community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If honored with the title, I aim to amplify the voices of foreign-born military spouses and advocate for initiatives that promote their inclusion and empowerment. This could include creating more accessible language and career support programs, raising awareness about their unique challenges, and fostering connections within the military community to build a stronger support network. I also hope to work with military leadership and organizations to recognize the diverse skills and experiences that foreign-born spouses bring to the table. By highlighting their unique contributions and providing tools to help them thrive, we can strengthen the bonds within our community and celebrate its diversity. With the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® platform, I hope to inspire meaningful dialogue and actionable steps toward a more inclusive and supportive environment for all military spouses.