ABOUT US
It's A Military Life is a non-profit organization focused on supporting military families and veterans. Our mission is to provide programs and services that enhance the quality of life for those who have served our country. Our programs include the Veteran Pen Pal Project, which connects members of the military community (spouses, veterans, and active duty service members) with pen pals to combat isolation and loneliness; It's a Military Child Life, which provides resources and support to military children and their families; and It's a Military Connection, which offers networking opportunities and career resources.
It's a Military Life Corporation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization (EIN: 87-2309516)
Meet the Team
Meet our dedicated team of volunteers who are contributing their time and talents to further the mission of IML!
It's a Military Life
Founder and CEO
Christina Etchberger
Christina Etchberger is the Founder and CEO of It's a Military Life Corporation. She is an Army spouse and a mother of two little boys, while currently residing in South Korea. IML began as a lifestyle blog and a community to bring the military community together, and now it has evolved into a nonprofit organization.
She continues to be a connector, by providing educational and resourceful programs for the military community as a whole. She is very grateful for her professional volunteers consisting of military spouses, veterans, service members, and fellow patriots. Christina looks forward to seeing It's a Military Life grow and serve as many people as possible!
Vice President
Tara Dorsey
Tara L. Dorsey is a highly regarded Business Development and Marketing Executive. She has implemented successful marketing and public relations strategies for both corporate and non-profit organizations. Tara has spent the last 18 years ensuring that marginalized communities had access to education and employment opportunities along with healthcare while working to ensure that they had the support necessary to not only survive but thrive in these spaces. Her passionate nature and forward-thinking mindset have garnered her a reputation as an innovative and results-oriented brand manager. Her communication skills have served her well as she managed both domestic and international teams of more than 50 direct reports. Those same communication skills have served her well as she interacts with the community as a public spokesperson and as an advocate with both local and national government officials. Tara completed her B.S. with a major in Criminal Justice, a minor in Psychology and
is currently wrapping up her graduate studies in Forensic Psychology. She has received her certification in Non-Profit Management from the Edyth Bush Institute. When not in front of people, she can be found behind her camera helping women entrepreneurs capture images that define their brand.
It's a Military Life
Chief of Staff
Jennifer Woodford
Jennifer is a dedicated stay-at-home mom of two and a seasoned military spouse with 13 years of experience. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and undergrad certificate in HR Management, she brings a strong foundation in organizational skills, attention to detail, and operational efficiency. Her background has equipped her with exceptional assistant skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks with precision.
Passionate about supporting fellow military families, Jennifer excels in helping new military spouses navigate the complexities of military life. Her personal experience and empathy allow her to provide valuable guidance and support.
In addition to her professional and family roles, Jennifer enjoys reading, traveling, and writing, which enrich her perspective and problem-solving skills. Her resourcefulness, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence drive her in all aspects of life.
McKinzee Crow
McKinzee grew up in a small town near St. Louis, Missouri and went to college in Fayetteville, Arkansas where she met her husband. She is energetic and dedicated with a passion for fitness, proudly serving as a military spouse and a devoted dog mom. She thrives on connecting with new people and making a positive impact, particularly in supporting fellow military spouses. Her commitment to this community was honored with an Angel Award at her current base, a recognition that fuels her drive to continue making a difference. Whether she is working out, meeting new friends, or lending a helping hand, she embraces every opportunity to uplift and inspire those around her.
Dr. Malasri
Chaudhery-Malgeri
Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri (Dr. Mala) is an expert in TBI, PTSD, Military Psychology, Marriage & Family Psychology, Rehabilitative Therapy, Integrative & Collaborative Program Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and more. She has helped individuals of diverse age ranges and backgrounds, including the military, executives and business professionals, political figures, rural communities, native populations, LGBTQ+ populations, athletes, and couples and families. She is also a motivational speaker and presenter.
Director of Nonprofit Development
Shaneena Woods-Eddington
Shaneena is a dedicated military spouse, psychology student, and passionate advocate for veterans and mental health. As a mother of six, she balances her family life with her commitment to empowering veterans, first responders, and military spouses. Her work with veterans is at the heart of her advocacy, as she tirelessly raises awareness and provides support for mental health issues within this community. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by veterans, she champions alternative treatments such as tattoos for PTSD, further fueling her mission to make a positive impact. Her favorite quote is, "Si vis pacem, para bellum", which underscores her dedication to preparedness and resilience.
Michael Ramos
With a family full of military service, Michael Ramos is a proud Marine Corps veteran currently residing with his wife and children in Australia. Nowadays, he is an "Active Duty citizen" in advocating on veterans' issues before Congress, encouraging volunteering and patriotic activities, and is an active member of several U.S. veterans service organizations.
Lourdes Gonzalez
Lourdes is a motivated Masters student in Library and Information Science with a background in Psychology, deeply passionate about creating inclusive and informed communities. As part of a military family, Lourdes understands the importance of support and connection. Fluent in Spanish and experienced in customer service, education, and social media marketing, she is eager to use her skills in information science and psychology to innovate accessible spaces for information exchange and community engagement within the military community.
It's a Military Life
Social Media Marketing Manager
Inell Samol
As the Social Media Manager at It's a Military Life, Inell is the voice behind the screen, passionately crafting narratives that celebrate and support our military community. Her journey is rooted in a deep respect for those who serve and their families, and she thrives on creating connections that matter. With a flair for storytelling, Inell transforms IML's mission into vibrant social media experiences that honor the past and inspire the future. Every post is a tribute, every campaign a call to action—together, let's remember, honor, and teach the values that define us.
Veteran Pen Pal Project
Veteran Outreach Coordinator
Laurance Kenny
With a five-year tenure at Morgan Stanley in Global Wealth Management, I decided to take on a new challenge by joining the Army. As an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Captain from 2013 to 2017, I showcased my leadership and commitment to service. Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Finance, Operations, Logistics, HR, and IT for one of the world's largest kitchen appliance manufacturers. My academic credentials include an undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from Rutgers University, an MBA and MS from Temple University, and I am currently enrolled in Columbia Business School's executive program. I balance my professional life with a loving family, including my wife and beautiful daughter. In my free time, I enjoy scuba diving and am an active member of Warhorse Scuba, a veterans-only scuba diving club.
It's a Military Life
Video Editor
Mikaela Flores
Born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii. I am a military spouse, soon to be mom in September and bonus-mom of a 7 year old. I have a diverse background in customer service, safety, and care as a Flight Attendant and an EMT. I am passionate about supporting the military community and sharing their stories through digital media. Always eager to learn new things, I adapt to different situations, and collaborate with my colleagues and customers.
It's a Military Life
Social Media Assistant
Aundrea Bachler
Aundrea graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing from USF and is currently starting her master's degree as well! In her spare time, she does social media for Krewe of Europa. One of the reasons she chose to volunteer for It's a Military Life is that she has multiple friends and family who have served or are still serving!
It's a Military Life
Website Manager
Joanna Denny
A seasoned military spouse and mother of three, Joanna has a passion for giving back to her community. She is currently a graduate student pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling while also involved in multiple civic -minded non-profit organizations. In her free time, she can often be found chasing around her lively rescue French Bulldogs, tending to her backyard chickens, and shuttling her children to and from their numerous activities.
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TESTIMONIALS
"It's a Military Life is a valuable military family resource. Offering a variety of support and resources for families, IML goes above and beyond to assist with PCS, deployments, education, events and community. Highly Recommend!"
Sarah Doran
Military Spouse