Monique Ekundayo

Share your military spouse story:
On a warm, golden afternoon in San Diego, May 15, 2010, I spotted (my now husband) across a buzzing brunch crowd. I was out with my sister; he with a fellow USNA classmate. On a whim, I slipped my number to him through the waiter, and immediately after, nervous! He was a submariner with Squadron 11; I was drifting through life—free, curious, open. He texted immediately and called an hour later. By Memorial Day, we were sharing our first date at the Fish Market on India Street in Mission Hills, San Diego. Fifteen years later, that single sunlit moment still feels like the spark that changed everything. That napkin note became phone calls. Phone calls became dates. Dates became something neither of us anticipated. Since then, and after 5 PCSs, 3 USN Promotions, 1 son, and 2 homes later, I have become highly involved in the military community, namely around advocacy, support, and action around military quality of life and military community connectedness.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Since arriving in the NCR, I’ve had the opportunity to engage closely with the MSO/VSO community, motivated by a desire to support military families facing complex and unseen challenges. When shutdowns threaten troop pay, families are left anxious and powerless, caught between politics and duty, yet they continue to serve with quiet strength. I’m wired for action, so instead of listing barriers, I step into rooms where voices matter. I’ve served as a mentor and ambassador with MSAN; a two-year ACP mentor; a Board Advisor for the Naval Officers’ Spouses Club–DC; a COMPASS Mentor with Navy Services FamilyLine; and an NMSN Advocacy Day participant and Summit panelist. I am a member of Navy League US, potential council member. I’ve worked alongside MOAA, supported NMFA programs, and advanced community partnerships through Blue Star Families, first as a key volunteer Starbucks Coffee Connect lead, and then as an FTE Senior Manager of Strategic Alliances and the White Oak Collaborative.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
As an active-duty spouse, I experience the daily realities of military life firsthand, which motivated my decision to serve on MOAA’s 2026–2028 President’s Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council. In this role, I am dedicated to transforming shared challenges into actionable policy change, focusing specifically on unsafe privatized military housing, persistent spouse un/underemployment, and gaps in TRICARE family planning benefits. I aim to bring fresh, innovative thinking to advocacy, member engagement, and philanthropy, moving beyond mere discussion to develop strategies that yield measurable outcomes. By ensuring our voices resonate on Capitol Hill, I am committed to reimagining how we fight for our community. My goal is to create a lasting legacy of wellness and well-being, ensuring military families are not only heard but meaningfully supported through tangible, systemic change.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
My most meaningful impact comes from creating pathways that help other military spouses thrive. With every PCS, I naturally slip into the role of “Pathfinder”, the person who shares the quick tips, local know-how, and steady support that make a new place feel less overwhelming. I’ve become the “walking 411,” connecting people to the resources, programs, and opportunities that make real difference in their daily “unexpecting” military lives. My drive comes from wanting every spouse to feel seen and supported. That’s why I mentor through the Severn Leadership Group, stay active with Blue Star Families Maryland Chapter, and frequent MSO/VSO conferences to keep our community informed. For me, it’s simple: no spouse should have to navigate this life alone, and I’m committed to building circles where everyone feels included, equipped, and encouraged.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy effort centers on education equity and career empowerment for military families. Through my volunteer service as an MSAN Ambassador, NSFL Mentor, ACP Mentor, and SLG Mentor, I consistently champion issues affecting military spouse employment readiness that is often shaped by the demands of military life. This includes, but is not limited to, frequent career disruptions due to PCS's. I regularly offer guidance on higher education, certifications, and career options best aligned with the military lifestyle while promoting access to resources for continuing education and professional growth. On a more personal note, I have shared my experiences through MSAN blogs, reflecting on balancing my advanced education with my military family life. These experiences have illuminated the systemic barriers military spouses face and have exemplified my loyal commitment to advocating for pathways that enable them to thrive both professionally and academically.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach centers on intentional engagement while uplifting military families. Throughout 2024 and 2025, my military family public-facing highlights include serving as an Honor Wall Ambassador for Blue Star Families at the 2025 White House Correspondents’ Dinner Garden Brunch; participating alongside Maryland Governor Wes Moore in an NGA panel examining state-level, policy-driven support for military families through the Do Your Part initiative; and serving as a panelist during the National Military Spouse Network’s Career Week, focused on networking strategies that empower military spouses. I also participated in IVMF’s CHEER Squad LinkedIn livestream for the Onward to Opportunity program, was featured in a Fox 5 News segment covering USAA’s 2024 Army–Navy Heroes for Huddle Camp in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and co-authored content for Blue Star Families’ 2023 Military Family Lifestyle Survey titled Pride in Service and Propensity to Serve.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
With the broad visibility the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® title provides, if selected, I would use this platform to elevate the lived experiences of military families through authentic, personal storytelling. My goal is to amplify critical issues such as spouse employment and underemployment, community belonging, and civic engagement; ensuring military families are not only acknowledged, but meaningfully included in policy, industry, and community decision-making. I also hope to serve as a connector and convener, bridging military families with corporate leaders, nonprofit partners, and policymakers through my affiliations with leading MSO and VSO organizations to foster collaboration that drives tangible outcomes. Above all, I aim to model empowered military spouse leadership, rooted in service, strengthened by resilience, and guided by the belief that when military families thrive, our nation is stronger, and our national security endures.