Raleigh Smith Duttweiler - Chief Impact Officer at the National Military Family Association

Описание: In this episode of “Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker”, I sit down with Raleigh Smith Duttweiler, Chief Impact Officer at the National Military Family Association and one of the most respected advocates for military families nationwide. Raleigh shares her journey from growing up in a military household to building a career focused on understanding and addressing the real challenges facing military spouses, children, and service members.

We talk through how she entered the nonprofit sector, the first time she realized the profound impact military life has on families - not just service members - and how those pressures have evolved over the past decade. Raleigh unpacks the top issues affecting today’s military families, including financial stress, mental health, suicide prevention, childcare gaps, TRICARE and healthcare access, and the unique burdens placed on military spouses navigating careers, relocation, and stability.

Raleigh also discusses the role that schools, employers, and local communities play in either supporting or hindering military family well-being, and she offers clear guidance on what effective support actually looks like. We explore common misconceptions about military families, the importance of evidence-based advocacy, and recent policy wins driven by the National Military Family Association.

It’s a candid and substantive conversation about the real conditions shaping military family life today and the work required to create lasting change. Raleigh offers clear, practical insights on where progress is being made, where gaps remain, and how individuals, leaders, and communities can meaningfully support the families who serve alongside our nation’s service members.

Guest Bio:

Raleigh Smith Duttweiler is a nonprofit strategist and advocate for military families. She serves as Chief Impact Officer at the National Military Family Association (NMFA), where she leads efforts to understand and address critical challenges facing military spouses, children, and service members through human-centered research, innovative programming, and national coalition building. Raleigh has spearheaded initiatives ranging from military spouse employment and economic opportunity to digital programming for military youth.

She is a frequent collaborator with partners in the private sector, government, and philanthropy, and she is committed to ensuring that military families’ voices shape the policies and programs that affect their lives. Raleigh grew up in a military family, married into the military, and is now raising three military kids of her own. A proud Barnard College alumna, she earned an M.S. and Ph.D. at Columbia University and lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

About the Podcast:

Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker dives deep into the stories of the people shaping cyber, defense, and national security. Through thought-provoking conversations, we uncover the career journeys, lessons learned, and personal insights of leaders and innovators in these mission-critical fields. Discover emerging trends, cutting-edge strategies, and the human side of the challenges shaping our future. Learn more at: www.hannahebecker.com/podcast

About the Host:

Hannah Becker is a Defense Fellow, Entrepreneur, and College Professor who specializes in human-centered, digitally informed strategies for public sector organizations. She currently serves as the Vice President at Becker Digital and an Adjunct Professor of Cyberwarfare at Norwich University. As a Fellow at Joint Special Operations University, she researched Cyberwarfare and Strategic Influence for U.S. Special Operations Forces. Connect with Hannah at: www.hannahebecker.com