I’m thankful for and humbled by this opportunity to be the Monterey Bay Spouse Club President. I have a heart for community outreach, coupled with an extensive background in cultural inclusion. I have worked with people from all walks of life to understand and solve some of society’s pressing issues. I graduated from Liberty University with my B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies in education, business, social science, and a minor in creative writing. I also earned a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, an area of study I choose because this issue is near and dear to me. I believe in having tough conversations to increase understanding and awareness. I am currently pursuing my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in early childhood education. I am the wife of a United States Marine for close to two decades now, and I love volunteering in the community for over the last 17 years. I’ve been recognized as Military Spouse of the Year, A Hero at Home, as well as a recipient of the Opening Doors Award from the Girl Scouts for serving an underserved community. The business I created in 2010 was recognized by then Second Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, for assisting military families. I’m a Transitional Kindergarten teacher, Publisher, and small business owner. When our family was first stationed at the Naval Post Graduate School, I began my time in Monterey writing an article for a local magazine about parenting for military families. We have two resilient military children who currently attend high school here on the Peninsula. Our family loves animals and have rescued two sweet kitties and a loving German Shepherd dog. I’m looking forward to meeting each one of you and your families! I’m here to ensure you are supported by the MBSC in any way I can! Please feel free to reach out to me anytime. - Brandi

I am honored to be a member of the MBSC Executive Board and Vice President.  I want to help the club feel more open to those that have felt like they couldn’t join. At a duty station where we have spouses from all branches and walks of life, I believe through this group we can help form a community that makes all spouses feel supported and included. MBSC went very dormant during COVID and I want to be a part of the board that helps bring energy back into it, creating events for all spouses to come together to learn, socialize, and give back to the Monterey community. 

Charlotte and her growing Navy FAO family, baby #1 was born in January, arrived from NAS Pax River in the summer of 2019 from D.C. While her husband attended NPS, Charlotte clerked at a firm downtown and now is a stay at home mom while her spouse is at DLI. When she isn’t baking or entertaining little baby Tony, she enjoys going hiking and to wineries. Charlotte is looking forward to making new friends and helping create a welcoming community for the Monterey Bay Spouses Club in her new role.

I am honored to join the MBSC Executive Board to utilize my passion in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and my experience working with military spouses and EFMP families to diversify the MBSC and make it inclusionary of all spouses.  My goal is to work with the Board and members of the MBSC to create a space that centers, welcomes, listens,  and supports the most marginalized identities. Many spouses when moving here fall in an in between area where there is limited to no support for the unit they are attached to.  Creating an affirming space that is supportive, welcoming, beneficial, and accessible to all ranks, races, genders, abilities, sexual orientation, immigration status, and child bearing status results in positive outcomes not only for the spouse, but for the entire family, including the service member.  I believe it is possible for us to work together to grow MBSC into a diverse, equitable, and inclusionary environment.

Amber and her spouse moved to Monterey in July of 2020 from Hohenfels, Germany.  Amber has a special interest and scope in cultural humility, social justice, and the impact of intersectionality of marginalized identities in behavior analysis and military families.  Amber co-founded the organization, Behavior Analysts in Military Families, (BAMF). Within this organization Amber works with active duty service members and military spouses in advocacy, research, and education across topics of social justice utilizing ABA.  In addition to BAMF, Amber has experience working directly with EFMP and a variety of Army Community Service Programs to coordinate care for EFMP families, served as an FRG Leader, and served as a CARE team member while at Fort Hood, Texas.  Amber enjoys spending time outdoors and with her 3 dogs, Rocky-Siberian Husky, Val- German Shepherd, and Huck- Great Pyrnees. 

A San Diego native, Lauren recently returned to the west coast after spending three years in Washington DC. While in DC, Lauren fulfilled her passion for animals by working as a Service Dog Trainer for Warrior Canine Connection. In Monterey, she enjoys training her own dogs and going for walks on the beach as well as exploring the local neighborhoods while her active-duty Navy spouse works on his masters at NPS. She looks forward to her new role in the community and will work hard to foster an environment of inclusivity, with an emphasis on intersectionality.

I am honored to join the MBSC Executive Board and be a part of helping spouses of all races, genders, orientations, and abilities feel welcome, included, and supported within the Monterey Bay military community. Military families are often stationed here at the beginning of their careers and for a relatively brief amount of time. I hope to contribute to the development of an inclusive environment where all families quickly and easily feel connected and supported while their spouses are hard at work.

Secretary - Alicia Smith, She/Her

email: secretary@mbosc.net 

Alicia and her active duty Army husband are both California natives. After spending the last 3 years stationed on the east coast they are excited to be back in their home state. Alicia has a background in social work where her passion for helping people shines. When she doesn’t have her hands full with her two beautiful boys, she’s covered in flour while baking sweet treats. Alicia’s goal as a member of the executive board is to be an advocate for marginalized groups that have been on the sidelines of clubs such as this one.

I am honored to join the MBSC Executive Board to contribute my experience working with the USO of raising morale in military bases and supporting military spouses. My goal is to work with the members to create a space of support and opportunity where our talents and skills can make a positive impact in our community. I’m also very excited to encourage diversity and inclusivity to the spouse club because representation matters.

Madelaine recently moved here after living overseas in Japan and Italy. She was a business analyst for corporate fashion brands but turned to work with nonprofits after becoming a navy spouse. She enjoys exploring cultures and channels her creativity into digital media content with her travel blog, So Far So Great. Madelaine is excited to help MBSC become a place where we can build meaningful relationships that continue past our PCS date in her new role.

Originally from Maryland, Naomi and her family recently moved to Monterey while her husband attends DLI. Since becoming an Army spouse, she has continued working in advertising and raising their son. She is enthusiastic toward developing communities that embrace new members, military families, and the greater Monterey area.

I am honored to join the MBSC Executive Board and assist with groups that support the interest and needs of MBSC members. I love to engage with others based on new and existing common interests and am excited to create spaces which will help in a genuine way for Monterey families while serving the goals for MBSC.

2021-2022 General Board

Membership Chair - open

Scholarship Chair - open

Publicity Chair - LaToria Offord

publicity@mbosc.net