Mission
To strengthen the well-being, belonging, and career stability of military spouses by building community connection, bridging civilian–military relationships, and expanding access to meaningful volunteer and employment pathways.
Vision
A future where military spouses are deeply connected through meaningful employment and relationships, strengthening the retention of military families in California and fostering more integrated, resilient civilian–military communities.
Why This Matters
California has lost 50% of its veteran and military family workforce over the past two decades.
Key drivers include:
Frequent relocations that disrupt careers and social networks
Limited sense of belonging in local civilian communities
Barriers to stable, competitively paid employment, especially for military spouses
A highly skilled military-connected talent pool that remains unrecognized by local employers
Military spouses are central to both retention and relocation decisions:
Nearly 40% of military families have considered leaving active service due to military spouse employment challenges
Spouse support is a strong predictor of whether a service member remains in uniform
After transition, veterans and their spouses often choose where to live based on employment opportunities and community connection
When spouses cannot access meaningful work and pathways to belonging, families are more likely to leave the military and less likely to plant long-term roots in California.
Our Approach
Community Cultivator is a social impact, community-driven initiative for military spouses, launching in San Diego to build and validate a replicable, best-practice model.
The platform supports spouses through:
Community connection and peer networks
Strategic volunteering that builds skills and a local network
Employer access and support with clear career pathways
Local networks that foster belonging, economic stability, and long-term retention
Once validated in San Diego, this model will expand to additional hub locations nationwide, while always retaining a strongly local, community-rooted approach.
How Community Cultivator Works
Community Cultivator builds local ecosystems that align people, organizations, and opportunity. Our work is grounded in relationships and designed to create lasting impact for military families and the communities they call home.
What Engagement Looks Like
For Military Spouses:
Joining the FREE membership-based community, gaining trusted relationships and mentorship
Contributing skills through volunteer work that strengthens community connection and integration
Securing meaningful paid employment through expanded networks, experience, and opportunity
The result is stronger connection, clearer direction, and greater career stability.
For Nonprofit and Community Partners:
Hosting project-based or professional volunteer roles and connecting with talent for paid roles
Working with us to structure volunteer work that translates to resumes
Increasing visibility with engaged volunteers, donors, and partners
The result is expanded capacity, stronger engagement, and greater community impact.
For Employer Partners:
Connecting with military spouse talent earlier in the pipeline
Receiving guidance on recruiting, hiring, and supporting spouse talent
Strengthening military spouse-focused ERGs through professional development
The result is stronger pipelines, better retention, and more inclusive workplaces.
For Education and Learning Partners:
Reaching learners exploring credentials and career pathways
Supporting existing military spouse students through connection and alignment
Collaborating on workforce-aligned programming
The result is increased engagement, persistence, and workforce relevance.
Why Partnership Matters
Community Cultivator grows through collaboration and investment from employers, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and civic leaders who believe strong communities include military families.
Partner investment helps:
Expand local programming and events that foster connection and professional development
Strengthen nonprofits by matching organizations with skilled talent for volunteer and paid roles
Create pathways to education and meaningful paid employment for military spouses
This work keeps military families connected, contributing, and rooted in California.
Meet the Founder
Tracy Steele is a connector, strategist, and longtime Marine Corps spouse who builds community with intention and action. She began her career as a registered nurse and, after nine military moves, experienced firsthand how quickly a spouse’s professional identity can be disrupted. Rather than stepping back, she leaned into leadership through high-impact volunteer roles, building skills, confidence, and a deep belief in the power of connection, contribution, and community.
That experience led Tracy into workforce development, where she has helped hundreds of military spouses secure meaningful employment and reconnect with their professional purpose. A Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), she has led career readiness programs, employer partnerships, and community initiatives that open doors not only to jobs, but to stability and belonging.
The ability to access meaningful work and feel rooted in a community ultimately shaped her family’s decision to retire in San Diego, a place that finally felt like home. That journey is the foundation of Community Cultivator. Tracy’s mission is to help other military spouses build the same sense of confidence, connection, and opportunity so staying is not just possible, but sustainable. A proud Padres season ticket holder, she brings that same hometown pride and community spirit into everything she builds.