Lyndsey Akers

F2 Chair | Air Force Spouse

Lyndsey Akers is the Founder and Principal of Akers&Co, a boutique public relations firm serving mission-driven brands and entrepreneurs through strategic public relations with a specialty in earned media. Throughout her career, Lyndsey has led highly-visible communications campaigns for global corporations, e-commerce start-ups, national non-profits, and for small businesses. It was through her passion to deeply serve military-connected businesses that she pushed the corporate ladder aside and launched Akers&Co, helping more than 100 small businesses share their stories since launching in 2020. Lyndsey is a proud Air Force spouse and former AFA employee with a passion for serving the military family in her work and personal endeavors, particularly through military spouse employment advocacy.

Melissa Shaw

F2 Vice Chair | Space Force Spouse

Melissa Gilliam Shaw is married to Lt. Col. Nicholas Shaw, USSF, and has been a military spouse for 10 years. She is a communications professional serving rural broadband and electric utility clients nationwide in her role as Vice President of Digital Solutions at Pioneer Utility Resources. She leads multiple digital product offerings, manages a large remote team, and advocates for fully remote military spouse employment opportunities.

Melissa and her husband—commander of the 4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron—are an inter-service transfer family from the U.S. Army to the Space Force and are the proud parents of Will (4), Nate (6), and Lorelei (8).