Instant Teams

Hi, I’m Bana. I graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in public relations and marketing management. Over the course of my career, I’ve crafted communications strategies for marketing agencies and government organizations. I’m currently the Communications Manager for Blue Star Families, a nonprofit supporting military families and bridging the military-civilian divide. I married my Army husband in 2004 and have moved 9 times in the ensuing 12.5 years. We live in Texas with 3 kids under 5 and a very needy cat.

What was your first move towards working in a remote capacity and/or becoming a military spouse entrepreneur?

I was incredibly lucky that my husband’s military career was fairly stable for the first seven years we were married. I was able to continue pursuing my own career without many compromises, which I think gave my resume a really solid foundation. Immediately after we had our first child, we PCS’d to Germany. I was always on the lookout for employment opportunities and eventually started working for Blue Star Families, which at the time was a 100% virtual workplace. I’ve since PCS’d twice while working remotely.

What is your definition of military spouses as an ‘untapped resource’?

Military spouses are strong, flexible, resilient, motivated, incredibly loyal, and cool under pressure. Most of our BSF staff and all of our volunteers are military-affiliated in some way – it’s a joy to be part of such a fantastic and dedicated team.

What would you tell other military spouses looking to start a professional career?

Tell everybody you know and everyone you meet that you’re looking for a job. You never know which connection will open a door for you. Seek out learning opportunities, whether they be webinars, conferences, or additional certifications. Never stop updating your resume!

If you were put on a panel involved in an initiative to improve military spouse employment opportunities and corporate awareness of the MadSkills that professional spouses bring to the workforce, what suggestions would you make?

At Blue Star Families, we call on corporations and the government to form public-private partnerships to reduce the rate of unemployment and underemployment among military families. I’d focus on ways corporations can extend remote/virtual and flexible job opportunities to military spouses.

Connect with Bana on LinkedIn.
View Bana’s MadSkills here.