Nearly 2,000 military spouses, community leaders, and employment representatives attend virtual summit
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes today announced the honorees of the Military Spouse Impact Awards during the virtual 2020 Military Spouse Employment Summit, presented by USAA. The awards were established to recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments of volunteers, community and business leaders, and military spouses who work tirelessly to increase economic opportunities for a deserving population.
Horacio D. Rozanski, president and CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton, presented the Bonnie Amos Impact Award for Lifetime Achievement to Dawn Goldfein, spouse of Gen. David Goldfein, the 21st Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The award recognizes a person or entity for going above and beyond the call of duty to promote and protect economic opportunities for military spouses. Dawn Goldfein, who grew up in the military, was recognized for a lifetime of service to her country and her tireless work with veteran and military spouse service organizations around the world.
“With more than 35 years of service and impact, Dawn Goldfein has dedicated her whole career to helping military spouses. Through her commitment and hard work, she has helped to bridge the public and private sectors to ensure military spouses have the careers they deserve,” Rozanski said.
More than 1,900 military spouses, military-ready employers, and veteran service organizations virtually attended this year’s summit. Tina Brown, award-winning author, editor, and journalist served as the emcee. Other noteworthy panelists and featured speakers included Gen. James McConville, 40th Army Chief of Staff and his wife, Mrs. Maria McConville; Brianna Keilar, anchor of "CNN Right Now"; Tiffany Smiley, Hiring Our Heroes ambassador; and Grow with Google’s Bronagh Friel.
“Like the spouses in our audience today, we are focused on resilience and innovation. We are encouraged by the progress that companies have made this year, progress we are confident will lead to long-term and far-reaching improvement in military spouse employment,” said Harriet Dominique, senior vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs at USAA.
“Each year, we are honored with the opportunity to lift up extremely deserving military spouses and communities. This year’s class of winners is truly extraordinary, and we are excited to celebrate their achievements,” said Meredith Lozar, Director of Military Spouse Programs at Hiring Our Heroes.
Bonnie Amos Impact Award for Lifetime Achievement presented by Booz Allen Hamilton for demonstrated hiring, mentorship, and support of military spouses in their search for meaningful employment. This year’s recipient is Dawn Goldfein. Goldfein is married to General David L. Goldfein. Continuing her own family’s military tradition, she has accompanied her husband on 23 assignments around the globe. Inspired by a call to serve, she has dedicated her life to supporting her family and the airmen and families of the U.S. Air Force. Originally from San Antonio, Goldfein is an educator of 29 years, and together she and her husband have two daughters and are the proud grandparents to two granddaughters. Having served as the First Lady of the Air Force, her various leadership roles with military service organizations and non-profits have created a lasting impact for families across the globe.
Military Spouse Volunteer Impact Award presented by Grant Thornton recognizes a volunteer who has made great contributions to strengthen and empower his or her community and the military spouses in that community. This year’s award recipient is Dr. Ingrid Herrera-Yee, a military mental health subject matter expert with more than 15 years of combined experience in clinical work and research. Yee is the founder and president of Military Spouse Behavioral Health Clinicians, an online network for military spouses who are currently working or studying to work in the mental health field.
Military Spouse Entrepreneur Impact Award presented by Deloitte recognizes a military spouse entrepreneur who serves as an example of entrepreneurial innovation by creating long-term economic opportunities for military families. Maria Reed, CEO of “Moving with the Military,” received this award. “Moving with the Military” is a home improvement and lifestyle series dedicated to helping military families turn a house into a home.
Community Leader Impact Award recognizes a community and its leaders for their efforts in creating a strong, inclusive community that allows military spouses to thrive both inside and outside of the gates. The 2020 award recipient is Washington State.
Media that were not able to virtually attend the Military Spouse Employment Summit during its scheduled time can inquire with Stephanie Walton, swalton@uschamber.com, about getting a link to watch the recorded event.
About Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is a 501(c)3 organization under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The non-profit launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Hiring Our Heroes has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment through its comprehensive training and hiring events, fellowship programs, and online tools. HOH programs and services are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and on military installations around the world. For more information on programming and initiatives: HiringOurHeroes.org; @HiringOurHeroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.
