Nominations are now open for the 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year ®! Nominate someone to represent your base today!
Testifying before Congress, launching nonprofit organizations, publishing books, curating solutions for military spouse employment and advocating for improved mental health care ― these are just some of the noteworthy accomplishments that have emerged from recipients of the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® program, known as MSOY. Founded in 2008 to spotlight the “hidden” men and women standing alongside America’s service members, MSOY “fosters a sense of community through acts of service and inclusion,” according to the program’s website.
Chosen for an already-proven track record of volunteerism, service and dedication to military and civilian communities, MSOY recipients are named for as much of what they have accomplished, as they are for what they will accomplish with the title. Check out what some past award winners have been up to since entering the program:
Verenice Castillo
Service branch: Air Force
Title: 2013 AFI Air Force Spouse of the Year
Two presidents, two first ladies and even a prince ― Verenice Castillo’s list of “I’ve met them” has grown significantly since winning a decade ago. As the founder and CEO of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN), the Texas-based Air Force wife is laser-focused on the state of the American military spouse.
“The award opened the door to many opportunities. It provided me with a community, meaningful relationships, mentors, supporters and so much more,” Castillo said. “Being surrounded by so many powerhouses is inspirational and motivates me to never stop, no matter what.”
What do you consider the greatest proof of your thriving since winning?
Military Spouse Advocacy Network’s growth and impact in our community. MSAN’s 24/7 Mentorship-HUB, peer-to-peer support and the Military Spouse Leadership Development Program are empowering, educating and supporting military spouses around the globe with a total outreach of 418,000.
Best piece of advice for new MSOY winners?
I always reach out to new MSOYs to offer my mentorship, because it is very easy to get the impostor syndrome or start comparing initiatives to others, and that can be very discouraging. They need to take things one step at a time. As long as their passion never fades away, the projects or ideas they have can be implemented little by little and by relying on their MSOY family.
Lakesha Cole
Service branch: Marine Corps
Title: 2014 AFI Military Spouse of the Year, AFI 2014 Marine Spouse of the Year
Lakesha Cole has a long list of titles since winning nine years ago, including author, advocate, entrepreneur, public relations strategist and self-proclaimed chaos coordinator. She founded SHE PR in 2020, a public relations firm focused on women-led companies and thought leaders.
“My greatest mission and current purpose converge on empowering and elevating the rising influence of women,” she said. “It’s about ensuring that everyone who wants a seat at the table gets one.”
A personal high point: getting invited by Sen. Tim Kaine to be his guest at a State of the Union address. Cole, currently a Florida resident, also collaborated with Kaine to draft the Military Spouse Employment Act.
“Sitting amongst the nation’s leaders brought home the gravity and importance of the work I get to do alongside my peers and organizations like Military Family Advisory Network and Hiring Our Heroes,” she said.
What do you consider the greatest proof of your thriving since winning?
The most tangible evidence is the success of SHE PR. However, I view my ability to create employment for myself amidst the longstanding employment challenges faced by military spouses as an equally significant achievement. By choosing to bet on myself and leveraging my skills and passion, I’ve managed to step out of that statistic.
Best piece of advice for new MSOY winners?
Use this recognition as a springboard for greater impact. Always exhibit mindfulness and professionalism in your interactions. Define your success on your terms and stay true to your vision, irrespective of others’ opinions. Recognize that it’s not just about winning; your character is truly reflected in how you handle defeat and setbacks. Embrace the journey ahead.
Ingrid Herrera-Yee
Service branch: National Guard
Title: 2014 AFI National Guard Spouse of the Year
One thing Ingrid Herrera-Yee can say that no one else in her network can: she’s done vodka shots with Oprah ― and it was all thanks to her MSOY win.
“Among other incredible surprises, we received an all-expense paid trip to Fiji,” she said. “My husband and I did not have a honeymoon as he was deploying, and frankly, at the time we simply couldn’t afford one. This trip ended up being our honeymoon trip, and it was amazing.”
A Virginia-based clinical psychologist, Herrera-Yee focuses on military family mental health. She got to work on the very first DOD report on military family suicide because of her MSOY position.
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“Currently, I’m supporting recruitment efforts for a first-of-its kind primary prevention workforce, with the hope that military spouses apply for these positions which will be available at every installation CONUS and OCONUS,” she said. “I view my win with gratitude. Not just for the opportunities I was afforded and the doors opened, but for the connections, sisterhood and friendships.”
What do you consider the greatest proof of your thriving since winning?
I’ve been afforded the opportunity to affect real change and help create policies and programs that have helped with the mental health of our community. I have had the great fortune to work within my passion, and that has made a huge difference. It started with the win and the doors that opened for me.
Best piece of advice for new MSOY winners?
Enjoy every moment. It goes by quickly. Also, leverage the time you have as MSOY to connect with others. Seek out other MSOY winners, too; they know exactly what you’re going through. That connection is invaluable.
Brittany Boccher
Service branch: Air Force
Title: 2017 AFI Military Spouse of the Year, 2017 AFI Air Force Spouse of the Year, 2016 Little Rock AFB Military Spouse of the Year
Brittany Boccher loves helping others “discover their spark,” so much so that she created the Discovering Your Spark brand after winning. From there, she cultivated a relationship with the USO, making her content available to military spouses everywhere.
“Since 2018, I have had the privilege to share the content with more than 10,000 spouses and witnessed firsthand spouses pursuing interests that they didn’t believe were pursuable while living this military life,” said Boccher, a mother of two. “I view this award as an opportunity to leverage your passion and purpose and develop relationships with people who can further advance your initiatives.”
Boccher, a motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and consultant, also developed a relationship with Radisson Hotels Americas. The group invited her to represent the brand and military families during an episode of CBS’ “The Talk.”
“I was able to sit at the roundtable with celebrities and share stories of military life, and at the end, I coined each host of the show,” Boccher said. “My daughter thinks this makes me famous, and that makes me giggle.”
What do you consider the greatest proof of your thriving since winning?
It’s been six years, and for me to still be engaged, active and passionate about this award is a testament to the award itself and a representation that I continue to thrive in this community.
Best piece of advice for new MSOY winners?
Establish your 60-second pitch to include what you do and how and why you do it! After that, it’s up to you to build a campaign to leverage this award, title and members of the community. You don’t have to be an overall winner or a base winner to leverage this award; you simply need to have the determination and will to leverage the network of this community.
Jessica Rudd
Service branch: Marine Corps
Title: 2017 AFI Marine Spouse of the Year
A Marine herself, Jessica Rudd is passionate about connection within the military community and military spouse employment. She is currently working on reforming the recently-passed Virginia bill S.B. 528, to remove the age cap allowing all military veterans to be exempted from state taxes, no matter their ages.
“The global network of military spouses is a tool beyond value,” she said. “Anyone considering nominating someone or who has been nominated should keep in mind that they would gain access to a worldwide network to help amplify their voice and passion.”
That certainly has happened for her ― and even her family. Rudd’s daughter got to participate in a documentary about Sesame Street, while Rudd got to film a Veterans Day tribute video with Marine veteran and actor Rob Riggle.
“This award changed my life drastically,” she said. “I found my best friend, landed my dream job and made endless connections and experiences. MSOY was the ripple effect that caused a chain reaction of opportunities.”
What do you consider the greatest proof of your thriving since winning?
MSOY has instilled a sense of personal resilience and a drive to help others find access to resources. At times, one may feel overwhelmed and lost, but I remember that the MSOY community is always my first stop when seeking support, advice or help. The greatest proof is not the tangible but the intangibles and understanding not only what the MSOY award can do for you but how you can leverage and give back to the community.
Best piece of advice for new MSOY winners?
Your title is only as good as the relationships you make and foster. Just as one earned the MSOY title, you must continue to pay it forward.
Brian Alvarado
Service branch: Navy
Title: 2018 AFI Navy Spouse of the Year
Military community advocate Brian Alvarado has become the face of military spouse employment since taking on the high-level role as director of Military Spouse Programs at Hiring our Heroes, an initiative of the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Through grassroots engagement and public/private partnerships, he works with a team of dedicated professionals across several initiatives that drive the attainability of economic stability.
Since joining the MSOY family, Alvarado said his “steady mission” has been to improve the quality of life for military families through economic opportunity. The 2018 AFI Navy Spouse of the Year title helped him expand those efforts ever since.
“MSOY opened up a whole new national network for me to be able to grow and connect to make a more substantial impact on military spouse employment. I was introduced to the Hiring Our Heroes initiative and began volunteering with them and eventually became a staff member able to work every day to connect American businesses with the untapped talent in the military spouse community,” he said in an email interview with Military Families Magazine.
An avid volunteer of several programs, including the Navy Ombudsman program and Military Family Advisory Network, Alvarado urges others to nominate standout contributors of the military spouse community.
“Being a part of MSOY is not just about recognition for work and volunteerism, it is about the community at large and how each contributing member of the network builds opportunity for the next generation,” he said. “We are always working to make life just a little better for those coming after us and we need that legacy and new members to keep the impact growing.”
Best piece of advice for new MSOY winners?
Be respectful and kind. Remember that your interactions are not just about what you need in any given moment. This network can be a lifelong opportunity.
Michelle Norman
Service branch: Navy
Title: 2019 AFI Navy Spouse of the Year
After winning, Michelle Norman co-founded Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit protecting the rights of military children in special education. The Virginia-based Navy wife also co-authored the PROMISE Act, aiming to improve access to education for Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) children.
“The [MSOY] title accelerated the momentum for my advocacy, and I ran with it,” Norman said. “My biggest thrill was being asked to testify at the House Armed Services Committee for the Military Personnel Subcommittee in February 2020 on the Exceptional Family Member Program. It was all a blur!”
Norman hopes to continue ensuring that EFMP families have the tools necessary to advocate for their children’s education.
“It has been an honor to work with the most amazing military spouse-led team passionate about making a difference in supporting military children with disabilities and in special education,” she said.
What do you consider the greatest proof of your thriving since winning?
My daughter Marisa is graduating with two high school diplomas: one from a public school and one from her private school. It took a village of supporters believing she could do this with the proper support. When I hear of military children being helped by the policies and changes we have brought about, like DOD-wide special education legal assistance, I know that our collective hard work was worth it.
Best piece of advice for new MSOY winners?
Stay focused on what brought you here. You were nominated for your advocacy, now is the time to amplify it and shine. When the time comes, those who share that passion will come to you.
Visit https://msoy.afi.org/ to learn more about the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® program, including the upcoming nomination process.
