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Share your military spouse story:
I’ve spent 23 years as a proud Coast Guard spouse, supporting my incredible husband through his service and navigating the unique challenges of military life. Over the years, we’ve spent 14 of those years stationed on cutters, facing constant deployments and the complexities that come with being a military family. Through it all, my role as a mother has been equally demanding. I am the mother of two amazing children, both of whom are enrolled in the Special Needs program. Being a military spouse and a mother of children with special needs has been both challenging and rewarding. The constant moves, long separations, and uncertainty of deployments can make it difficult to provide consistent care and support for my kids. I've become skilled at adapting, advocating, and standing up for the resources and services my kids need, even when the system feels like too much to handle. My journey has fueled a deep passion for advocacy. I’ve become a strong voice for military families, especially those with special needs children, ensuring that they have access to the services and support they need. Sharing our story over the years has encouraged other families to reach out and get the help they need. There is often a gap in the needs for our families and I am passionate about making sure that gap is filled to raise awareness and advocate for the changes that are so necessary.My husband's service has been a constant reminder of the sacrifices our military families make. Through the hardships I am inspired by all the resilience I see in our military spouses and families. Our family is only one story and I am dedicated to making sure others are heard and supported. I continue to advocate for military families, ensuring their voices are heard and that they are given the resources, care, and opportunities to thrive, no matter the obstacles they face.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I have led initiatives to support military families, including advocating for special needs families and assisting with homeschool resources. I serve as the COO of Exceptional Families of the Military, ensuring families access vital services. My leadership extends to the Coast Guard Spouses Club of DC and Operation Homefront, where I actively support our community. As an Ombudsman for seven units in the Baltimore area, I actively advocate for military families and connect them with valuable resources. I'm also a proud graduate of the Military Spouse Leadership Course and the NPLI Cohort at Harvard, which reflect my dedication to uplifting the military spouse community. These experiences have sharpened my leadership skills and strengthened my resolve to support our families. At the end of the day I plan to continue to advocate, and drive meaningful change, making me well-prepared for the AFI MSOY role and the opportunities it provides to impact military families.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I have actively spread the message of my advocacy by building strong relationships with military and community leaders. Recently, I attended the Military Influencer Conference, where I made numerous valuable connections and shared our personal story with many individuals. Since then, I’ve kept working on building strong relationships and raising awareness about the challenges that Coast Guard families encounter, especially the shortage of specialized services. Through these connections, I’ve had some great conversations with military leaders and community advocates, shedding light on the gaps in care that impact our families. By building these relationships I have been able to communicate effectively about the needs of our families. I also am able to push for policy change and make sure our families get the support and services they truly deserve

Describe how you support your community:
As the Ombudsman for seven Coast Guard units, I prioritize communication between families and their commands, ensuring spouses feel heard and supported. I actively engage with military families, offering resources and assistance, particularly for those navigating unique challenges like special needs. Recently, I attended the Military Influencer Conference, where I shared our personal story and connected with numerous individuals. These relationships have been instrumental in furthering my advocacy and raising awareness of the issues facing military families. I am passionate about creating a network where all spouses feel empowered and included. Through my leadership roles, including my work with Exceptional Families of the Military, I advocate for equal opportunities and support for all spouses, driving community-building efforts that ensure every spouse has the resources, guidance, and connections needed to thrive.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I help families in the special needs program by connecting them with the resources and support they need. My primary goal is to advocate for policy changes that ensure military families have access to the therapies, specialists, and care they deserve. I work to ensure that these families receive the same level of care as those in other branches of the military, particularly in areas like Tricare coverage for services for children with special needs. I am passionate about breaking down the barriers that prevent military families from accessing the full spectrum of care and resources needed to support their children's development. By advocating for these essential changes, I aim to create a more equitable and supportive environment for all military families, ensuring that no one is left behind in their journey.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I've put in a lot of hard work to share my advocacy message by building strong relationships with military and community leaders. These connections have really helped me amplify the voices of Coast Guard families, especially regarding the lack of services available to them. I work closely with military leaders to address challenges and advocate for policy changes that can really benefit families.I am passionate about Coast Guard families' concerns being heard. By collaborating with community leaders I am able to raise awareness to the individualized issues our families face and the urgent need for the expansion of special needs services. I am able to highlight gaps in our care and therefore advocate for the improvements needed. My ability to connect with both military and civilian audiences has been crucial in driving awareness and promoting the well-being of military families.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I will use the platform to advocate for EFMP families. I want to go before Congress and ask for an increase in funding for these families to cover the additional expenses they experience as EFMP families. I will focus on raising awareness of the challenges EFMP families face, particularly during transfers, and increasing understanding of the EFMP process to improve access to services for all families. I will work to compassionately connect families to resources and highlight how limited provider access leads to tougher transitions. Additionally, I will use my platform to allow others to share their experiences, good and bad.