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About Our 2026 Leadership Summit
The Military Spouse Leadership Summit is a one-day, in-person training and networking event designed to equip Spouse Club leaders with the tools, strategies, and connections needed to thrive in their roles. Through a mix of expert-led plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and peer roundtables, the Summit empowers leaders to build stronger, more resilient communities across the military spouse network. This event serves as a unique opportunity to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and invest in the future of military spouse organizations.
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Panel Discussion: The Science of Connections:
Psychiatrist, Preventive Medicine, Social Worker, Family Medicine, and a Military Spouse Discuss WHY in person connections are vital to physical and mental wellbeing. -
Keynote Address - Creating Cultures of Belonging: How Military Spouse Clubs Build Lasting Community and Connections
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Choose 1 of 5 Concurrent Workshops: (Rank top 2 choices at registration)
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Don't Be Afraid of the Mess: Leading Through Conflict – Dr Audry Ayers
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5 Voices Leadership Instrument – Kara Hileman; Military Family Institute
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Leading with Clarity – Trisha Stetzel
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Thrift Shops Discussions – Rhonda Fingal
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Networking to Build Relationships (Virtual attendees only) – Chris Borjas
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Collaboration Tables – Small group facilitated discussion on a variety of Topics: Thrift Shops, Leadership Challenges, Difficult Conversations, Club Restructuring, Community Partners That Make a Difference, Volunteer Recruitment, Engagement and Recognition, Sub Clubs to Spark Engagement, and much more…
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Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided
Welcome to Our Summit Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
"Creating Cultures of Belonging: How Military Spouse Clubs Build Lasting Community"
Tracy Steele
Tracy Steele is the Founder of Community Cultivator, a social impact organization strengthening career pathways, connection, and belonging for military spouses. A longtime Marine Corps spouse, she built her second career through volunteer leadership, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of the CMSC. She previously led military spouse employment initiatives with Hiring Our Heroes and is a Senior Professional in Human Resources and graduate student in Social Innovation at the University of San Diego.
2026 Summit Workshops
Don't Be Afraid of the Mess: Leading Through Conflict
Conflict is messy, but effective leadership means learning how to navigate it with confidence. Led by conflict resolution researcher and trained mediator Dr. Audrey Ayers, this interactive workshop helps leaders understand their natural responses to conflict and develop practical strategies for navigating difficult situations. Drawing on her research in interpersonal conflict, experience as a mediator and educator, and 24 years as an active-duty military spouse, Dr. Ayers will introduce the Thomas-Kilmann conflict-handling styles and provide a simple framework for preparing for, leading, and following through on challenging conversations.
5 Voices Leadership Instrument
Led by Kara, an instructor and team member with the Military Family Institute, this interactive workshop introduces the 5 Voices framework to help military spouses better understand their natural communication and leadership styles. Kara will guide participants through the five voices—Nurturer, Creative, Guardian, Connector, and Pioneer—helping them recognize their strengths, blind spots, and how others may experience their communication. Through the 5 Voices Assessment and guided discussion, participants will gain practical tools to communicate more effectively, strengthen relationships, and build stronger, more connected teams and communities. (Participants choosing this workshop will be sent a link to take a free online assessment before the event. This assessment should be completed before the day of the Summit.)
Leading with Clarity
Most teams don't fall short from a lack of effort, they fall short because the ask was never clear enough to act on. In this interactive workshop, US Navy veteran and Trust Edge Certified Practitioner Trisha Stetzel walks leaders through two research-backed moves, Clarity and Commitment, that turn good intentions into action people actually follow through on. Every attendee leaves with a written ask, a spoken commitment, and a 90-Day Action Plan ready to bring back to their own team, club, or board.
Thrift Shops
Thrift Shop Success: From Challenges to Solutions A successful thrift shop starts with clear governing documents, compliance with installation and nonprofit regulations, and strong financial management controls. This interactive workshop will begin with key elements that should be included in your Thrift Shop Constitution and By-Laws, followed by a discussion of common legal and compliance risks that can affect your 501(c)(3) status. The heart of the workshop will be an open discussion of the successes and challenges thrift shops are experiencing. Before the conference, each participant will be asked to submit: A Success: What does your thrift shop do really well? A Challenge: What is your thrift shop currently struggling with? Together, we will explore practical solutions to common challenges, share successful strategies, and exchange ideas that participants can take home and implement in their own thrift shops. Come prepared to share, learn, and leave with practical ideas you can put to work.
Networking to Build Relationships (Virtual attendees only)
More Info Coming Soon!
Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Leadership Summit!
Summit Testimonials
Aberdeen Proving Ground Community Spouses Club
"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to you for hosting such a meaningful and well-organized in-person leadership training seminar. It is always a privilege to gather with fellow military spouses, to learn from one another, and to strengthen the leadership skills that allow our organizations to thrive."
Thank you to our 2026 Summit Sponsors
