Empowering Military Spouses Symposium

Robion Phoenix Johnson served 26 years as an Army Logistician including 5 deployments to Afghanistan & Iraq. She is now a stand-up comedian touring world-wide with Armed Forces Entertainment.

Robin is a Hoover Institution Fellow at Stanford University where she is a subject matter expert on the applied & therapeutic use of humor for improved performance. She serves as faculty for both Thayer Leadership at West Point and the Institute for Defense & Business. She guest lectures at College of Charleston and Stanford Medical School.

Kelly Crace is Executive Director of the Contemplative Sciences Center. Previously, Crace served as associate vice president for health and wellness and as director of the Center for Mindfulness and Authentic Excellence (CMAX) at William & Mary. He also directed college mental health centers at both William & Mary and Duke University. 

A licensed psychologist, Kelly is the co-author of Authentic Excellence: Flourishing & Resilience in a Relentless World and the Life Values Inventory, a tool designed to help individuals and organizations clarify their values and serve as a blueprint for effective decision-making and optimal functioning. He has published and presented in the areas of values, flourishing, resilience, life role development and transition, and organizational development, and has conducted more than 3,000 seminars for organizations. 

Lindsay serves as the Project & Business Manager for Military & Veteran Affairs at William & Mary, where she supports the Veteran-to-Executive Transition Program and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Military & Veteran Affairs. From 2019-2022, Lindsay served as the Assistant to the Dean of University Libraries at William & Mary.

Lindsay earned a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2017 and a M.A. in English Literature from Boston University in 2018. Additionally, Lindsay earned a Graduate Certificate in Education in 2019 and holds an English 5-12 teaching license. Lindsay completed her Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from William & Mary in 2024. Lindsay’s research focuses on the U.S. military-to-civilian transition experience.  

Lindsay is married to an Air Force Officer and they have two children. As a mother and a military spouse earning undergraduate and graduate degrees, Lindsay has unique insights into the non-traditional student experience in higher education.

For 21 years, Elaine Willig has navigated the rollercoaster of military life—13 moves, countless hellos and see-you-laters, and all the beautiful and bittersweet moments in between. As an Army spouse, mom of three boys, and lifelong volunteer, she’s learned that every military family has a story—and sharing it can be one of the most powerful tools for navigating transitions. 

With a degree in public relations and a heart for building community, Elaine helped create the PCS Planning Course with Organize 365, turning her hard-earned lessons into a resource that has empowered military families to identify the invisible work of PCSing, account for the emotional work before and after PCSing, and move forward to PCS with faster connections and more satisfaction and confidence.  

At the Empowering Military Spouses Symposium, she’s bringing her energy and experience to lead the "Reclaiming Your Path" Storytelling Workshop, where she'll help spouses unpack their transition journeys, own their stories, and turn challenges into chapters of growth, resilience, and authentic excellence.  

Please take the opportunity to chat with her today about color analysis, PCS Planning Course, and telling your story!  

Math teacher turned social impact entrepreneur, Gabriela (Gabi) Bell is the founder and CEO of award-winning Organized Q which provides Virtual Executive Assistant Services to small business owners, executives, and social impact organizations. Organized Q’s social impact mission is to provide flexible remote work opportunities to military spouses, veterans, and under-employed professionals. Organized Q’s social impact mission is directly aimed at helping lower the 24% unemployment rate among military spouses. 

Outside of Organized Q, Gabi teaches at NYU's Veterans Future Labs, has been recognized as one of Forbes #Next1000 inspiring entrepreneurs, and, as a domestic abuse survivor and fierce advocate, she has shared part of her story of redemption and healing as a contributing author of "Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming Our Voice" (2023). Gabi's proudest achievement is being a single mom to her four thriving children. Together they live in the DC-Metro area with two rescued dogs, a moody cat, and a talking parrot that keeps the days full of joy and laughter. 

Fadoua is a dedicated military spouse and a proud USMC Spouse Ambassador with the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN). A graduate of MSAN’s Military Spouse Leadership Development Program (MSLDP), she has received specialized training in leadership, advocacy and mentorship to support the success and resilience of fellow military spouses. 

Professionally, Fadoua brings over a decade of experience as a linguist, educator, and policy analyst, with a background that includes work with the U.S. Department of State, non-profit and private organizations. Her cross-cultural expertise and commitment to inclusion inform her leadership and outreach in the military spouse community. 

Currently stationed at Fort Gregg-Adams (FGA), she actively contributes to local military-civilian collaboration through her involvement with the Hopewell Prince George Chamber of Commerce as part of the Capital Region Military Alliance of Virginia (CaRMA-VA). In this role, she helps strengthen connections between military families and the surrounding communities, advocating for resources, opportunities, and inclusive policies that support military readiness and family well-being. 

A foreign-born, new military spouse herself, Fadoua is passionate about creating welcoming, empowering spaces for all spouses regardless of background and remains committed to service, leadership, and community-building across the military landscape. 

Jen is an experienced executive who has held several leadership positions at RecruitMilitary. As Chief of Staff, she serves as a strategic partner to the CEO, supporting effective decision-making and execution of company initiatives Jen is also a member of RecruitMilitary’s Executive Management Team and oversees the Events and Client Success enterprise of RecruitMilitary.

Jen's career began in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a Legislative Assistant to a U.S Congressman before transitioning to Government Relations Director and lobbyist for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). She then married into the military, moved to the west coast, and changed careers. Jen learned event contract negotiations and later operated a satellite office in Chesapeake, VA before joining RecruitMilitary and standing up a subsidiary of the company, Essential Events.

Jen's success in leading Essential Events led to her promotion to Vice President of Events overseeing all logistical planning for RecruitMilitary. In 2020, she was promoted to Executive Vice President and managed all RecruitMilitary product fulfillment and events.

Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond. She is also a military spouse and resides in Norfolk, VA with her husband, a retired Naval Officer and current civil service employee for the U.S. Navy. They have three grown sons.

Adrienne Howard is a seasoned leader and lifelong advocate for military families, with 30 years' experience supporting Navy communities around the world. As a dedicated military spouse, she has held key volunteer and leadership roles in Family Readiness Groups, spouse support organizations, and Navy charitable organizations. In addition, she was director of the largest overseas Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society office in Yokosuka, Japan, where she managed a team of 176 personnel and distributed over $650,000 in annual relief assistance.

Adrienne's commitment to supporting military families is grounded in extensive training in crisis response, financial counseling, and family advocacy. She has completed multiple advanced ombudsman and command spouse leadership training programs and was awarded a FINRA Military Spouse Fellowship in financial counseling.

Adrienne's current role is as Associate Director for Administration and Senior Executive Assistant to the Provost at William & Mary. She has extensive expertise in executive operations, stakeholder relations, and strategic planning in independent education, nonprofit, and higher education environments. 

Adrienne is passionate about amplifying military spouse voices to help build strong, resilient military communities that empower spouses through personal connection, accessible resources, and shared experiences.

 Retired SFC Chambala Roach serves as the Program Manager of Military Affairs at HCA Healthcare where she champions HCA Healthcare's commitment to connecting service members, veterans, and military spouses with meaningful careers. Chambala helps develop recruitment programs and support networks that help military community members translate their service experience and values into fulfilling roles at HCA.  

Prior to serving in this role, she was a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) at Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond, VA, where she joined HCA Healthcare in October 2023 following a distinguished 25-year career as a senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. During her time as a HRBP, she recognized a need in the Division's Military Colleague network space, so Chambala decided to take on the Military Colleague Network Chair role. Her leadership skills and commitment to community engagement were quickly evident as she spearheaded the significant expansion of the network's membership and community involvement. 

During her military career, which began in 1998, Chambala served initially as a Combat Medic before transitioning to Human Resource Specialist and Career Recruiter roles. In her final military assignment, she served as Station Commander for the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) while concurrently holding a position as Adjunct Professor for William & Mary's ROTC department. In these roles, she demonstrated a deep commitment to developing future Army leaders and managing the education, acquisition, and scholarship processes for healthcare professionals dedicated to serving Army personnel and their dependents. 

 Chambala holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Regent University, is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.  

Jenny Lynne Stroup is the Deputy Director of Military Spouse Programs at Hiring Our Heroes. She leads a team that provides workforce development, hiring events, and community engagement opportunities for the military spouse community worldwide, while fostering employer engagement at national and local levels.

Her mission to serve, advocate for, and support active-duty service members, veterans, and their families stems from her personal experience as a military family member. Jenny Lynne began her service with the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Family Readiness Group and has since held various leadership and speaking roles with organizations such as United Through Reading, the Theater of War Project, the USO of Metropolitan New York, MilSpouseFest, San Diego Military Family Collaborative, and Cohen Veterans Network.

A native of Suffolk, Virginia, Jenny Lynne holds a Marketing Management degree from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University. She currently resides in Hampton Roads with her spouse and two teenage children.

Robbe Addis, Ed.D., is the Founder and CEO of Veterans Forge, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans during their transition to civilian life. With a strong background in leadership and education, Robbe leverages his expertise to provide tailored support and resources that address the unique challenges faced by service members reentering the workforce. His commitment to veteran advocacy is evident in his strategic approach to career development and community engagement.

Holding a Doctor of Education from Liberty University, Robbe combines academic rigor with practical experience to drive meaningful change. His work at Veterans Forge reflects a deep understanding of the skills and values that veterans bring to the civilian sector, and he is dedicated to facilitating opportunities that harness this potential for both individuals and communities.

Shanna Due is a Certified College Financial Consultant (CCFC), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), and Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®). She is the editor of More Than Money and serves as an advisor for The Braun Financial Literacy Program at the Boehly Center, Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary. 

As the founder of Due Financial and a former fee-only financial planner, Shanna has helped families align their capital—time, money, attention, and energy—with their values. She now brings that same intentional approach to college planning, guiding families through the daunting task of securing the best possible education at the most affordable price. 

A proud retired Army spouse, Shanna is deeply committed to service; whether working with financial planning clients, consulting, or volunteering in her local community and with military families. She has served as a board member, advisor, seminar leader, and coach to hundreds of individuals, from teens to retirees. Her work centers on helping people use their capital to live with purpose and make a meaningful impact. 

Shanna lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with her husband, two children, and a rescue pup. When she’s not cheering from the sidelines at her children’s sports event, she’s likely chasing down a hidden mountain lake or diving into her latest book obsession. 

Meg Hendricks is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in Employee Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Relationship Management, Community Partnerships, and Military Employment. In her role as Vice President and Head of Military and Veteran Affairs at Fiserv, she has exemplified exceptional leadership by developing and enhancing the Fiserv Salutes program, which has led to the company's recognition as a top employer for veterans on numerous prestigious lists. 

Beyond her military-focused initiatives, Meg actively supports philanthropic endeavors, employee resource groups, employee giving and volunteering, and various other Corporate Social Responsibility programs within Fiserv. Her dedication to creating employee-centric programs that cultivate a positive workplace culture and contribute to the community is noteworthy. 

Prior to her current role, Meg served as a human resources officer in the United States Army, and she has worked with organizations within the manufacturing and human capital management sectors, gaining valuable insights from the civilian workforce. 

Meg's commitment to civic engagement extends into her personal life, where she previously served as President of the PTA at her daughter's school for two years, currently serves as a board member for the Women Veterans Interactive Foundation, and regularly volunteers with local organizations. She is married to a fellow Army veteran, and together they have a daughter. 

Her educational achievements include a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Northcentral University and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from The Colorado College. Additionally, Meg holds the PHR certification, underscoring her commitment to professional excellence. 

Brittany Bauman is a dynamic leader and passionate military spouse advocate. She currently serves as the Operations Lead for Military and Government Programs at the Project Management Institute® (PMI). In this role, she oversees a portfolio of Government- and privately-funded initiatives that connect thousands of military spouses, service members, and veterans with no-cost access to training and professional certifications. 

Brittany holds an MBA in Organizational Leadership and Change Management, which she leverages to guide cross-sector collaboration, streamline operations, and advance workforce development outcomes. She is a recognized advocate and subject matter expert, frequently speaking at conferences, cultivating mission-aligned partnerships, and empowering organizations to turn awareness into action. 

An active-duty Air Force spouse of 14 years and counting, Brittany brings personal experience and professional strategy to her mission. A champion for military spouse employment, she advocates for increased access to accredited certifications and sustainable career opportunities for all military spouses. Her work bridges the gap between awareness and action, empowering military community members with the resources to propel their careers forward.

Steve Borden is a retired Navy Captain that has been working with military connected students since his  retirement in 2012. During his 29 years in the Navy, he served principally as a helicopter pilot, but also had the opportunity to serve as Naval Attaché to the U.S. embassies in Quito, Ecuador and Santiago, Chile. He finished his career as the founding commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, Arizona State University and then transitioned to assisting military and veteran students as the founding director of the Pat Tillman Veterans Center at ASU. 

Captain Borden joined Tidewater Community College in late 2021, coming from National University, La Jolla, CA, where he served as Associate Vice President for Military Programs.

Fabian House is a 10-year education veteran, having worked at the secondary, tertiary, and graduate degree levels. He started his professional experience teaching English at a small charter school in Indianapolis, before returning to his alma mater, Wabash College – a liberal arts college for men in Crawfordsville, IN – where he executed the ground recruitment initiatives for prospective students and parents. After earning his Masters in Higher Education from Ball State University, he pivoted into business education at Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, in Bloomington, IN. He served as an associate director for their MS in Finance program before being tasked to recruit for its Full-Time MBA Program. 

A proud Hoosier native, Fabian left his home state to head William & Mary’s specialty master’s programs in Business Analytics and Accounting. Fabian has an eye for detail and a passion for the individual recruitment journey for each student, embracing every unique background. Outside of work, Fabian has a passion for giving back, volunteering his time through activities such as the Boys and Girls Club, Bloomington Youth Basketball, and Williamsburg Landing Senior Living center. He’s a passionate sports enthusiast, dabbling at the intersection of sports commentary and performance analytics.   

A proud first-generation college student, Monica Pinier (“Pin-Yay”) began her academic journey at a community college before transferring to complete her bachelor’s degree and later earning a master’s in Higher Education & Counseling. With over a decade of experience supporting and specializing in a variety of student populations - including transfer, first-generation, limited income, veteran, non-traditional, foster care, LGBTQIA+, and other underserved backgrounds - she is deeply committed to helping all students feel seen, valued, and empowered. 

Currently serving as the Director of Undergraduate Transfer Admission at William & Mary, she is the primary contact for all prospective transfer students. As a former transfer student, she brings empathy, insight, and a strong sense of purpose to her role. She’s passionate about W&M’s holistic approach to admissions and finds joy in guiding students and families through what can often feel like an overwhelming process. 

Outside of work, she’s the proud mom of twin girls and an avid animal lover with a home that rivals a small zoo. In her free time, she loves reading historical novels, practicing her French and Spanish, and enjoying a good TV series.  

Her message to all students - especially transfers: You belong here.