Leadership & Legacy: Celebrating a Decade of Progress at the 2026 Military Spouse Employment Summit
National leaders, advocates, and military spouses gathered at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., on May 20–21 for the 10th annual Military Spouse Employment Summit, arriving energized, innovative, and ready to build on a decade of progress. Hosted by Hiring Our Heroes, this milestone “Leadership & Legacy” event celebrated a decade of progress while setting a bold vision for the future of military spouse employment.
Throughout the summit, speakers emphasized that traditional workforce models were not designed for the mobility of military life. The conversation moved beyond awareness to highlight scalable solutions already delivering impact and to chart a path toward flexible, sustainable career opportunities.
“Hiring is only the beginning,” said Clint Odom, Vice President of Strategic Alliances & External Affairs at T-Mobile. “One of the biggest challenges military spouses face is career continuity. PCS orders can disrupt careers overnight. That’s why we’ve implemented policies like portable work location flexibility and paid PCS leave—to help military spouses continue building careers while supporting their families through relocation. The work is never finished, and we’re committed to continuing it alongside everyone in this room.”
Honoring a Legacy: Deb Kloeppel
A highlight of the summit was the annual awards program, where Hiring Our Heroes recognized individuals and organizations advancing meaningful solutions for military spouse employment.
Embodying the summit’s theme of “Leadership & Legacy,” Deb Kloeppel received this year’s Bonnie Amos Impact Award for Lifetime Achievement. She was honored for her extraordinary dedication to expanding economic opportunities for military spouses and for her role in breaking down systemic barriers across sectors.
Her legacy reflects the power of sustained advocacy. For years, Deb has championed the value of military-connected professionals, helping to shape a more inclusive and responsive workforce. Her recognition grounded the summit’s strategic conversations in the real-world impact of long-term leadership and commitment.
Celebrating Industry Leaders and Advocates
In addition to celebrating Deb’s remarkable achievements, HOH also recognized employers, community leaders, and military spouses who are opening doors to economic empowerment for military families.
Military Spouse Entrepreneur Impact Award
Gabriela “Gabi” Q. Bell, founder of Organized Q, was recognized for building a business that reflects both the realities of military life and the potential of military spouse entrepreneurship. What began as a response to frequent relocation has grown into a company focused on helping others create structure, clarity, and functionality during times of transition.
Her work demonstrates that entrepreneurship can offer flexible, meaningful career pathways—and signals a broader shift toward recognizing military spouses not only as participants in the workforce, but as innovators shaping it.
Military Spouse Advocacy Impact Award
Bronagh Friel accepted the Military Spouse Advocacy Impact Award, a testament to her fierce and sustained commitment to advancing military spouse employment through both corporate leadership and community engagement. At Grow with Google, her leadership has helped shape and elevate efforts to connect military spouses to meaningful career opportunities.
Her impact is defined by a consistent focus on building pathways that translate into real opportunity. Through her advocacy, Google has expanded its engagement with the military spouse community, creating access points into careers that are often perceived as out of reach due to barriers such as relocation, non-linear career paths, and credentialing gaps. In doing so, she has helped reframe how employers evaluate talent, shifting the conversation from constraints to capability.
Community Leader Impact Award
The State of Louisiana received this year’s Community Leader Impact Award for its commitment to advancing military spouse employment through initiatives like The Boot, a veteran-led, state-funded nonprofit dedicated to helping military members and their families thrive in Louisiana as they transition out of military service. By strengthening partnerships across state agencies, employers, and community organizations, Louisiana has expanded access to meaningful career opportunities for military families. Its coordinated approach demonstrates how local leader can build a more connected, resilient workforce ecosystem.
Congressional Advocacy Impact Award
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) was recognized for its leadership in advancing policy solutions that support military spouse employment. Through sustained engagement on Capitol Hill, MOAA has elevated key issues such as the Military Spouse Hiring Act, which would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses. Its efforts help ensure military spouse employment remains a national priority in policy conversations.
Military Spouse Fellowship Impact Award
Humana was honored for creating a scalable model that supports military spouse career growth beyond initial hiring. By integrating fellows into business units and providing mentorship and development opportunities, the company has built a pathway that encourages long-term success. Its approach demonstrates how employers can turn fellowship programs into sustainable talent pipelines.
Military Spouse Retention Impact Award
Booz Allen Hamilton was recognized for its strong focus on retaining military spouse talent through thoughtful role alignment and ongoing development opportunities. By prioritizing flexibility and career growth, the organization supports continuity despite the challenges of relocation. Its efforts highlight the importance of investing in military spouses for long-term workforce success.
The Path Forward
As the summit concluded, participants shared a renewed commitment to advancing solutions that support career continuity and mobility.
“When we fight for military spouse employment, we are fighting for the soul of the American promise. We’re fighting for a nation that is stronger, more competitive, and more prosperous because it fully invests in the people who have already invested in it. And that is the work of this summit. That is the legacy we carry. That is the future we are building together.”
Elizabeth O’Brien, Senior Vice President, Programs and Events at Hiring Our Heroes
By continuing to design workforce systems that prioritize flexibility and continuity, organizations across sectors can expand economic opportunity, strengthen force readiness, and build a lasting legacy for military families.
