Lisa Slaba

Share your military spouse story:
I did not expect military life to redefine my career or my sense of purpose, but it has shaped me into a strategist dedicated to family readiness. I met my husband in 2015, and since our marriage in 2016, I have learned that thriving in this lifestyle requires more than personal adaptation; it requires building the systems that help others grow. My journey through a move from Texas to Wyoming—which included a challenging transition during the isolation of COVID-19 with a toddler—taught me that community is a necessity for mission success. However, it was our move to Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2021 that truly clarified my mission. Navigating a move through Canada with two toddlers and experiencing two home floods in our first year exposed a large gap in military relocation: the lack of specialized preparation for families sent to extreme austere environments. This realization turned my focus toward systemic advocacy.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I focus on building partnerships to ensure military families thrive. In Fairbanks, I launched the Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN) and led its transition to an independent model. I also managed logistical planning for the Alaska Defense Forum, a summit for senior military, government officials, and business leaders. Through this event I was asked to provide feedback and testify before the Alaska State Legislature on SB 207 to advocate for a statewide military family information help desk. My leadership was recognized by the ADC Military Spouse Leadership Initiative. In follow-up to a recent ADC event the FNSB Mayor requested I convene a spouse focus group to provide feedback on infrastructure and community needs. Using my PMP and Public Policy studies, I ensure military family needs are communicated effectively to top leadership. Professionally, I am the Executive Assistant and Advisor to the Chancellor at UAF, managing executive operations.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
As a former VP of community partnerships and recent acceptance of being President of the Alaska State Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), I connect business leaders to local Air Force leaders to aid in the education and advocacy for military families. I have been involved as a Key Support Liaison for near a decade where I provide resources to military families across the FNSB acting as a vital link between leadership and the home front. I leverage the ADC Military Spouse Leadership Initiative to bridge the gap between local needs and national policy. A core part of my daily involvement is maintaining a network of military spouse subject matter experts. Through these relationships I am able to share local and national resources that help families navigate the military lifestyle. Between work, family and school, my time and projects are dedicated to eliminating "information isolation" and ensuring every military family in Alaska (& beyond) has a reliable pathway to success.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
In Alaska, community is a necessity, a survival requirement. My impact is best reflected in my role as a resource navigator, helping spouses navigate the "Arctic tax". I offer myself as a direct tool and resource. When a spouse arrives in the Interior and struggles to navigate childcare, housing, or workforce, housing and more, I personally bridge that gap through providing resources and step-by-step information when needed. By acting as a central point of contact and an advisor, I level the playing field, ensuring a brand-new spouse has the same access to "insider" knowledge and institutional support as a seasoned leader. My goal is to show that every spouse—regardless of background—has a voice in building a resilient military community in Alaska and beyond, backed by the support and expertise provided to help them navigate the military lifestyle.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I am working to ensure Interior military families have the resources to thrive rather than just survive "Arctic Shock." I serve as a bridge between military leadership and our borough to address extreme utility costs, isolation, and infrastructure challenges. To move beyond advocacy, I am currently building an education-based non-profit as a proactive resource hub. I am laying the groundwork for a system that prepares families for the realities of the North before they arrive, turning isolating assignments into successful tours. Through community partnerships, I am designing a pathway for spouses to stay professionally integrated and personally invested in Alaska via community connectedness and workforce development. This initiative is in the works as a playbook for other remote installations. By building this now, military families can be equipped with the information and tools needed to stay resilient and fully contribute to the community they currently call home.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My strategy focuses on elevating the military spouse narrative to a community priority. I am a consistent voice in high-level civic forums, including FNSB Civ/Mil meetings and the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. In these spaces, I translate the military family experience for civilian leaders to ensure family stability is central to local economic growth. This was key in my previous advisement to Alamogordo, NM leaders on military family integration. I have provided formal comment to the Alaska Legislature on setting up a military help desk along with moderating a panel on spouse employment at the Alaska Defense Forum. I have been interviewed due to my work and participation with the Alaska Defense Forum. I have used news paper forums such as writing a letter to the editor to bridge the gap between our installations and the public, ensuring our needs are prioritized and understood by both sectors.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I want to use this title to turn the lessons I’ve learned in Alaska into a permanent resource. My goal is to use the visibility of this award as a launchpad for the education-based non-profit I am currently building. Having this title provides the "foot in the door" needed to connect with the right partners and mentors, helping me move my project from a local initiative to a legitimate, professional resource for families in high-stakes environments. On a personal level, I hope to use this year to deepen my own expertise as an advocate. I want to be more than just a voice; I want to be a subject matter expert who can effectively bridge the gap between military families and the communities that support them. This title is more than an honor for me—it is a tool that will further build my knowledge and credibility I need to ensure that no spouse has to navigate the "Arctic tax" of isolation or professional stagnation alone.