Rooted in Service.
Growing Toward Opportunity.
CyberRoots Initiative creates career pathways for military spouses through cybersecurity education, hands-on experience, mentorship, professional networks, and employer connections.
We help military spouses build the skills, experience, and relationships needed to pursue meaningful careers that can continue through relocation, transition, and change.
Why CyberRoots Initiative Exists
Military spouses bring valuable experience, adaptability, leadership, and resilience to the workforce. Yet frequent relocation can interrupt employment, separate spouses from established professional networks, and require them to rebuild their careers in unfamiliar communities.
For those living in rural areas, limited access to cybersecurity education, mentors, employers, and professional networks creates additional barriers.
Training alone does not solve the problem. Military spouses also need opportunities to apply what they learn, develop credible experience, build professional relationships, and connect with employers.
CyberRoots Initiative was created to connect those essential pieces and build a clearer pathway from learning to career opportunity.
Mission & Vision
To Turn Existing Talent Into Lasting Opportunity.
CyberRoots Initiative equips military spouses with cybersecurity education, hands-on experience, mentorship, professional networks, and employer connections that lead to portable, sustainable careers.
A Future Where Military Life Doesn’t Limit Career Potential.
We envision military spouses building meaningful careers across relocations, military transitions, and geographic boundaries strengthening their families, the cybersecurity workforce, and the communities they call home.
Our Approach
CyberRoots Initiative creates an accessible pathway from cybersecurity education to career opportunity for military spouses, including those living in rural and underserved communities.
Our approach is grounded in service, inclusion, community, practical experience, and the belief that opportunity should not depend on a person’s ZIP code or proximity to a major technology hub.
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Military spouses are at the center of this pathway, but its impact extends beyond each individual participant. Employers and community partners help provide mentorship, experience, professional connections, and access to opportunity. In return, they gain access to adaptable, resilient talent prepared to contribute and grow.
As military spouses build greater career continuity and economic mobility, military families become stronger and rural communities benefit from a more connected, highly skilled workforce.
We use the Root → Growth → Branch model to connect every stage of the journey.
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ROOT: Build the Foundation | Military spouses develop foundational cybersecurity knowledge, workforce readiness, and the confidence to begin pursuing a new career.
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GROWTH: Turn Learning Into Experience | Participants apply what they learn through hands-on projects, mentorship, portfolio development, and practical experiences that build confidence and professional credibility.
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BRANCH: Connect Experience to Opportunity | Participants build professional networks, engage with employers, gain industry exposure, and prepare to pursue meaningful, sustainable career opportunities.
Leadership & Board of Directors
CyberRoots Initiative is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of Directors. The Board provides fiduciary oversight, establishes organizational policy and strategic direction, safeguards the mission, and supports responsible stewardship of the organization’s financial, programmatic, and community resources.
CyberRoots Initiative is organized as a non-member corporation, and governance authority is exercised by the Board of Directors in accordance with the organization’s Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, adopted policies, and applicable law.
Katie Eksten Gomez
Katie Eksten Gomez brings experience in workforce advocacy, coaching, program design, community engagement, and partnership development. As a veteran spouse, she has supported military spouses, service members, employers, nonprofit organizations, and workforce-development initiatives in navigating employment barriers, strengthening professional networks, and creating more accessible pathways to meaningful careers.
Her lived and professional experience with military-family career disruption, professional-network loss, rural workforce access, and long-term career-continuity challenges informed the development of CyberRoots Initiative. As Founder and President, Katie contributes strategic perspective in organizational development, program design, partnerships, community engagement, and implementation of the Board’s direction.
Leslie Coffey
Leslie Coffey brings more than 15 years of experience in workforce development, military transition, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, along with 30 years of lived experience as a military spouse. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University–Commerce and has been recognized for her leadership and volunteer service.
Through her service as Vice President of the CyberRoots Initiative Board, Leslie contributes strategic perspective in workforce development, military-family engagement, governance, and collaborative partnerships that expand access to cybersecurity education and career opportunities for underserved communities.
Lauren Eimers
Lauren Eimers brings experience in project management, organizational transformation, change management, and strategic planning. A certified Project Management Professional, she holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and has supported federal agencies as well as clients across the private and nonprofit sectors. Her background includes stakeholder engagement, operational strategy, and cross-sector collaboration.
As a military spouse who has lived in Wyoming and Germany and now resides in the Twin Cities, Lauren brings both professional and lived experience to her service. As Secretary, she contributes organizational leadership, thoughtful governance, and a focus on effective, efficient mission execution.
Founder and President
Vice President
Secretary
Jessica Reynolds
Treasurer
Jessica Reynolds brings experience in human resources, talent acquisition, and operational leadership within the government contracting sector. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University and has served in multiple ombudsman roles supporting military families, strengthening community communication, and helping individuals navigate complex organizational systems.
As a military spouse, Jessica brings both professional expertise and lived understanding of the challenges facing underserved military communities. As Treasurer, she contributes perspective in financial oversight, compliance, organizational operations, and responsible stewardship while supporting CyberRoots Initiative’s mission.
Jose Gomez
Jose Gomez brings experience in cybersecurity, technology operations, and federal security compliance. A retired U.S. Air Force veteran and cybersecurity professional, his background includes leadership in FedRAMP audit readiness, risk management, security governance, and the protection of complex technology environments.
Through service on the CyberRoots Initiative Board, Jose contributes practical expertise in cybersecurity workforce development, technology governance, information security, and the evolving needs of military-connected professionals. His perspective helps ensure the organization’s programs, systems, and strategic decisions remain mission-aligned, security-conscious, and responsive to the demands of today’s cybersecurity workforce.
Chief Technology Officer
Help Us Expand Access to Opportunity
Military spouses bring the talent and determination. CyberRoots Initiative connects them with the education, experience, mentorship, professional networks, and employers needed to move forward.
Whether you are a military spouse, employer, community partner, mentor, or supporter, you can help create more accessible pathways into cybersecurity careers.