A leading expert in military spouse advocacy, Rikki Winters, AFC®, CAP, draws on nearly two decades of professional experience to empower military families and entrepreneurs through high-impact initiatives. As the owner of her own firm since 2024, she communicates closely with clients to understand their evolving needs, encourages regular engagement and leads strategic governance. Ms. Winters’ work includes board oversight, resource prioritization, grant pursuits and fostering partnerships that support military spouses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. She also oversees complex projects involving strategic planning, board development, grant advisement, program launches and operation systems, ensuring that objectives are met efficiently while promoting collaboration among team members.
Concurrently with her eponymous firm, Ms. Winters also holds the role of project manager at Beacon 4Sight Group. In this position, she manages multifaceted projects and maintains consistent client engagement to strengthen relationships and adapt strategies.
Prior to her current responsibilities, Ms. Winters contributed her expertise as an educational assistant and substitute test examiner at Team LinkVisum, supporting educational assessments and facilitating testing environments for students. From 2017 to 2020, she was a project manager at Norwich University, where she played a pivotal part in monitoring academic projects and supporting institutional goals.
Ms. Winters’ tenure as operations director of the Military Spouse Business Association and Military Spouse Business Academy marks a significant chapter in her career. Over the course of more than a decade with these sibling organizations, she led a six-member volunteer board and coordinated the efforts of 40 additional volunteers. Under Ms. Winters’ guidance, the Military Spouse Business Association provided resources and services to nearly 1,800 members and awarded approximately $3,500 in grants. Most notably, her advocacy through this nonprofit coalition contributed to the passage of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, a legislative milestone that addressed challenges faced by military spouses due to frequent relocation. Ms. Winters’ testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs highlighted the complexities of residency-related tax and voting issues by sharing her personal experiences. This achievement stands as her most significant professional accomplishment.
Earlier in Ms. Winters’ career, she served as the co-owner and chief operating officer of HPSP Rentals LLC. Her journey started in 2007 as the owner of All in One Desktops, where she provided technology solutions and customer service to a diverse client base.
The academic foundation for Ms. Winters’ success lies in a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering earned at Norwich University in 2001. Her technical background has been instrumental in shaping her analytical approach to problem-solving and project management. Ms. Winters also holds several professional credentials that have enhanced her capabilities. She is certified as an administrative professional from the International Association of Administrative Professionals and as a financial counselor from the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education.
Reflecting her commitment to professional development, Ms. Winters has been active with several industry-related organizations. Alongside her accreditations, she maintains membership in the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act Coalition and in the Society of Military Spouses in STEM, where she has served as executive director since 2026 after previously managing membership applications for the organization beginning in 2018. Ms. Winters’ strong contributions to the military have been celebrated with several honors. She received a certification of appreciation from the dean of students at the Naval Postgraduate School in 2011, a presidential certificate of merit from the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) and a certificate of achievement from the U.S. Department of the Army. She attributes her success to an extensive support system of family, friends and the broader military community.
Long dedicated to civic advocacy, Ms. Winters is actively engaged in her community and supports causes she cares about. She volunteered as a financial counselor with the Army Community Service and with AmeriCorps in the Virginia Veteran and Family Support section of the NMCRS. Continuing her affiliation with NMCRS from 2020 to 2021, she contributed as a caseworker and financial adviser.
Outside of her professional commitments, Ms. Winters is a loving wife and relaxes through walking, journaling, crocheting and knitting. In the years ahead, she is eager to expand her business and attract new clients while continuing to prioritize networking, volunteer work, advocacy and support for military and veteran families. Ms. Winters is particularly excited about Homefront Hustle, a recently launched one-on-one mentorship program designed to help military spouses overcome employment challenges. She looks forward to aiding these families in their efforts to establish their own entrepreneurial endeavors.