Kimberly Torres

Share your military spouse story:
Like many, I underestimated the chaotic labyrinth of military life. My journey began in 2016, leaving my career and support system behind. The first three years were a crash course in resilience. When a nine-month deployment was extended three times, I pivoted from loneliness to independence, mastering the art of solo exploration. I carried this grit through a chaotic cross-country PCS to Virginia during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in Hawai'i, the isolation hit differently. My usual solo adventures felt hollow without a community. I realized "me, myself, and I" wasn't enough; I needed a purpose. That’s when I discovered InDependent. It wasn't just volunteering; it was a bridge back to my career. Now, spearheading marketing initiatives and managing tech operations, I use my skills to serve others. I’ve learned that while the military dictates our zip code, we remain the architects of our own journeys.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
As a core member of the marketing team at InDependent, I serve as a bridge between resources and the military spouses who need them. My role is dynamic and cross-functional; while my primary focus is delivering educational wellness content through our digital platforms and newsletters, I also provide essential technical support on the backend of our site. I see myself as a proactive problem-solver, whether I am designing new resources or jumping in to assist other departments, my goal is to innovate strategies and ensure our team can effectively serve the military spouse community.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
A resource is only useful if it can be accessed. By curating and delivering the monthly newsletter and managing social media content, I ensure that vital wellness education cuts through the noise and reaches military spouses where they are. My work guarantees that families have consistent, reliable access to actionable health and wellness strategies, combating the difficulties that military life can bring. For example, in the December newsletter edition, we received a comment from a military spouse telling us: “THANK YOU for promoting an alcohol free opportunity! Too much of the milspo culture is built on alcohol as the socialization and community building component, and I'm so over it! Keep doing this - we need more of it! Well done!” -Megan. Witnessing things like this brings me immense joy to know that the resources I help create are finding their way into the homes of the military families who need them most.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Building an inclusive community means ensuring that every military spouse, male or female, sees themselves reflected in InDependent content. In my role with the marketing team, I curate the monthly newsletter and social media, which are often the first touchpoints for spouses. A moment that reflects this is when I am selecting resources for the newsletter. I don't just pick what is popular; I look for educational wellness that applies to the diverse reality of our lives, whether that is a spouse handling a deployment alone, someone navigating a career pivot, a family in the middle of a PCS, or a child-free military spouse trying to find a community in the military, I consciously filter content to ensure it resonates with different branches, ranks, and life stages.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My advocacy dismantles the “one-size-fits-all” narrative of military life. Through strategic content curation, I ensure underrepresented demographics, like male and child-free spouses, and those navigating career gaps, have equal access to wellness resources. I audit digital touchpoints to guarantee every spouse, regardless of rank or life stage, sees their reality validated. This connection is rooted in my own journey. I know the isolation of being the “unseen” spouse and the frustration of seeking resources that didn't apply to my military life. Having felt the sting of invisibility, I am driven to ensure others do not. When curating content for a solo deployment or a chaotic PCS, I channel my experience to validate diverse journeys, ensuring spouses find the inclusive community I once desperately sought.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach strategy is driven by focusing on curating content that truly reflects the diverse experiences of military spouses, while making sure it’s easily accessible to everyone. I use a multi-channel communication approach by sharing monthly newsletters and creating wellness education content for social media and web platforms, so that vital resources reach every military spouse in a way that feels personal and relevant. I’m always reviewing and updating educational resources to address real-life situations, like solo deployments or navigating financial planning at different life stages. My goal is to make sure every spouse feels seen and supported. In addition to content, I handle the technical side, making sure digital resources are easy to use and accessible no matter where spouses are stationed. By caring equally about the message and how it’s delivered, I strive to provide support that genuinely meets the needs of our diverse military community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I aim to use the AFI Military Spouse of the Year title to turn visibility into action. My goal is to expand to the spouses who are currently navigating the military labyrinth and connect them with the wellness ecosystems that can sustain them. By amplifying those voices, I plan to identify where our current support structures fall short and lead the charge in creating and building a stronger, more inclusive infrastructure for the modern military family. This title isn't just a microphone; it’s a tool to build a more resilient, accessible community for everyone.