A local military spouse has earned national recognition for her advocacy work on behalf of service members and their families.

• Lyndsey Akers, currently stationed at Hurlburt Field, has been named the 2026 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse of the Year. 

The honor comes after hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes cast nationwide as part of a program now in its 17th year. With more than one million active-duty military spouses worldwide, the award aims to spotlight those driving change within the military community.

Akers is a strategic communications advisor and founder of Akers&Co, a boutique firm that supports military-connected leaders and mission-driven organizations. Her work has focused on elevating conversations around military family quality of life while creating economic opportunities for military spouses. She also serves as a senior consultant for the Air & Space Forces Association.

“This recognition reflects the power of what’s possible when we invest in the people behind the mission on the homefront,” Akers said. “For me, this work has always been deeply personal. Supporting military families and helping military-connected brands succeed is a privilege. I’m honored to continue advocating for a community that deserves to be seen, supported, and strengthened.”

The Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year program honors spouses who go beyond supporting their own families to strengthen the broader military community. Recipients are recognized for driving change in areas including education, mental health, entrepreneurship and policy reform.

• Winners advance through four rounds of selection, beginning at the base level and progressing to branch winners. The overall 2026 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year will be announced May 7 during a special event in Arlington, Virginia, in honor of National Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

“Leadership and advocacy are the cornerstones of the AFI Military Spouse of the Year program,” said Lori Simmons, executive director of Armed Forces Insurance. “Each year, this program highlights the extraordinary work of military spouses who are reshaping what it means to serve — not just within their homes, but across the entire military ecosystem. Their impact is felt in their communities, in policy, in education, and in every space where military families need a voice.”

Nominations for this year’s award were accepted from Dec. 2, 2025, through Jan. 17, 2026. Nominees are judged on five criteria: overall involvement in the military community, leadership skills, community building capability, communication skills and personal story.

More information about Akers and other base winners is available here.