Kori Yates loves adventure – and life is full of them. As a popular speaker and writer, Kori desires to challenge and encourage women to follow Christ wholeheartedly, knowing the Christian walk is the greatest adventure of all. Being a military wife has added to this adventure in ways she could never have imagined. Her first book, Olive Drab Pom-Poms, encourages military wives to find the calling God has for them in what can seem a crazy, unstable life. This life is no surprise to God.

Distracted, quirky, independent, and mostly capable, Kori is just an ordinary military wife seeking to follow Jesus. Married to her Soldier-husband, Kyle, for eleven years, she also homeschools their two kids, ages ten and seven. It is certainly an adventure.

Kori loves to run, read, sew, bake, and eat chocolate, which is exactly why she runs. She attempts to be creative on occasion, and is at times successful. Longing to be more like Christ tomorrow than she is today, she has become a huge fan of grace. To learn more about Kori, check out her blog, or grab a copy of her book, visit her website. The book is also available on Amazon, and other bookstores online. You can also connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

Corie Weathers, licensed professional counselor (LPC), is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and author of Sacred Spaces: My Journey to the Heart of Military Marriage. Corie has focused her career for the last 20 years as a counselor specializing in marriage, divorce, women’s issues, PTSD, and substance abuse. 

In 2015, Corie was named the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year®, where she advocated for mental health issues and served as a media correspondent writing online and print publications, consulting for command teams, and speaking to groups on issues like PTSD, grief, and marriage. She traveled to Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to visit troops and see deployment conditions. She has also traveled across the globe, teaching individuals and couples how to live, lead, find purpose, and build relationships using their natural talents.

Today, Corie is a clinical consultant, working with service organizations to enhance programs, develop better team dynamics, and write meaningful curriculum; working with organizations like The Red Cross, The Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, and Baylor University just to name a few. 

After seeing the need for more competent mental health clinicians for service families, Corie created the Lifegiver Clinician Directory– a modern searchable directory and map of professionals, including civilians, military spouses, veterans, and first responders. The Lifegiver Directory provides a true win-win for families, clinicians, and service organizations needing to find referrals. 

Corie is often brought in to speak on military and first responder culture, produce content through interviews and videos, emcee events as well as lead meaningful and productive facilitated sessions and retreats for families. Staying true to her roots as a military and first responder clinician, she provides services through her brand Lifegiver, home to her inspirational podcast. 

Kelli Campbell lost her husband of fifteen years, Major Shawn Campbell, in a Marine Corps helicopter collision in Hawaii on January 14, 2016. Soon after, she moved to Kansas City to be close to family. Suddenly uprooted from everything familiar, Kelli and her four children, Tristan, Kenna, Kate and Donovan, faced the daunting task of starting a life from scratch. Whitefield Academy, a classical Christian K-12 school, opened their doors and hearts to the Campbells and Kelli
enrolled her previously homeschooled children with the help of Folds of Honor scholarships. Kelli’s journey through military life, loss, and grief is one she will tell you she has never walked alone. She shares her story because “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 Kelli’s story is one full of joy and hope. Today, Kelli is Folds of Honor’s Kansas City Chapter Regional Development Officer and serves on the National Speaker’s Bureau. She is grateful to be able help pass on the charity she was given, and to continue honoring the legacy of her late husband and all those who serve our nation.

Brenda Pace is an author and speaker with a passion for bringing encouragement and hope to women. She frequently shares her message in both local church and military chapel settings. She has been the keynote speaker for retreats in Korea, Japan, Turkey, Germany, Italy, and numerous locations across the United States.

Brenda is dedicated to mentor and train women to be godly leaders. She gained practical experience serving at every level of leadership in the military women’s organization, Protestant Women of the Chapel, from president of a local chapter to national leadership as the president of Protestant Women of the Chapel-USA. Her personal experience along with specialized training and education in leadership, has equipped her to encourage and mentor women to develop their full potential for Christ.

Because of her desire to encourage military spouses, Brenda coauthored the devotional book Medals above My Heart, with her friend and fellow military spouse Carol McGlothlin (Broadman and Holman). Brenda and Carol also wrote The One Year Yellow Ribbon Devotional, Taking a Stand in Prayer for Our Nation and Those Who Serve (Tyndale House). She is a contributing author to Stories of Faith and Courage from the Homefront, Stories Around the Table, and the seminary textbook Women in Ministry and Leadership. Brenda is the author of a soon to be released devotional and bible study series The Journey of a Military Wife: God’s Truth for Every Step. The American Bible Society will launch the series in early 2015.

Brenda holds a BA in education from Lee University, a MEd from Columbus State University, and a MA in Christian Leadership from Liberty Theological Seminary. She is currently a Doctorate of Ministry candidate at the Assembly of God Theological Seminary.

Brenda lives in Tennessee, the place of her birth with her husband Richard. A retired US Army Chaplain with 28 years of service, Richard serves as the Chaplain Endorser and Coordinator for Vocational Chaplains at the Church of God Chaplains Commission. The Pace’s are the parents of two married sons and the proud grandparents of five terrific grandkids.

Amber Conroy is the 2020 Armed Forces Insurance Schriever AFB Spouse of the Year and one of the Top 3 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse Finalists.  Originally a Nebraska native, Amber is the wife of an Air Force traditional reservist and mother to a beautiful 3 year old son. Her life grew leaps and bounds after marrying her husband of 13 years. Although Amber’s husband is a part-time reservist, at a moment’s notice her world can change overnight. During her husband’s decade of service, two deployments, monthly drill, and annual training has taught Amber how to balance what she feels often looks like leading a double life.  She is dedicated to bridging the civilian and military communities and helping to foster greater awareness about the challenges faced by guard and reserve military members and their families.

Raised as a northern girl, Abi Ray, LMFTA now resides on the southern east coast with her husband, two daughters, and over-sized Airedale pup. As a licensed counselor, Abi Ray seeks to encourage and equip families in their faith, service, and life transitions. Her most recent venture includes founding Legacy Magazine, a print publication that celebrates life with service families, couples, and spouses through personal, professional, and relational enrichment. Most days you can find her unwinding with her family or researching one of her favorite topics—neuropsychology and trauma-informed care.

Andrea Plotner is the author of Beyond Brave, a six-week Bible study published by Planting Roots. Andrea and her family live and work at Spring Canyon, a Christ-centered camp & conference center ministering to military families in the Colorado Rockies. Andrea is a motivator, encouraging women to get into God’s Word. As for hobbies, Andrea is a bit of a fun junkie, always on the lookout for everyday adventure.