Dallas Atkinson
Executive Director, HillVets
Service Member's Branch - Army
Service Member's Status - Currently Serving - 25 years
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What has been your military spouse career/entrepreneur journey so far?
My military spouse career journey has been shaped by both challenge and opportunity. As the spouse of a Green Beret, I quickly learned that military life requires adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to reinvent yourself. Early in my career, I held leadership roles in corporate America, building experience in operations, business management, and organizational leadership. As I became more engaged in the military community, I recognized a growing passion for serving those who serve and made the intentional decision to transition into the veteran service organization (VSO) space. Through opportunities with organizations such as Hiring Our Heroes, RecruitMilitary, and American Corporate Partners, I expanded my network and deepened my commitment to supporting veterans, military spouses, and military families. Today, as Executive Director of HillVets, I have the privilege of leading programs that help military-connected leaders continue their service through careers on Capitol Hill and in public policy. What began as a search for my own professional identity as a military spouse has evolved into a mission to create pathways and opportunities for others.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Dallas Atkinson, and I am an Army spouse, mother of two, and nonprofit leader based in the Washington, D.C. area. I currently serve as Executive Director of HillVets, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans, service members, military spouses, survivors, and supporters continue their service through careers in government and public policy. I am passionate about advocacy, leadership development, and creating opportunities for military-connected individuals to thrive beyond military service. Outside of work, I enjoy Pilates, reading, spending time with my family, and exploring ways to strengthen the military spouse community through mentorship and connection.
Tell us about a "typical" day in your professional life.
No two days are exactly alike, which is one of the things I love most about my work. A typical day may include meetings with Members of Congress and congressional staff, supporting veterans and military spouses transitioning into careers on Capitol Hill, engaging with corporate and nonprofit partners, fundraising, and overseeing HillVets programs and events. I spend a significant amount of time building relationships, mentoring emerging leaders, and identifying opportunities to expand access and representation for military-connected professionals in public service. Throughout the day, I am constantly balancing strategic planning with hands-on support for our community.
What has been your biggest military spouse career struggle and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been overcoming the perception that military spouses are temporary employees or less committed to their careers because of the demands of military life. Like many military spouses, I have had to prove that adaptability is an asset, not a liability. I overcame this by building a strong professional network, seeking leadership opportunities, and consistently demonstrating results. Rather than viewing military life as a limitation, I learned to leverage the resilience, flexibility, and problem-solving skills it developed in me.
What role did mentors and sponsors play in your journey?
Mentors and sponsors have been instrumental throughout my career. The leadership at RecruitMilitary played a meaningful role in my journey by investing in me, helping me strengthen my professional confidence, and opening doors into the veteran and military spouse employment space. They, along with other mentors, provided guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback during pivotal moments, but most importantly, they advocated for me when I was not in the room. Their example has inspired me to mentor others and pay that support forward.
How does your career path differ from what you imagined for yourself?
I never imagined that my career would place me at the intersection of military service, nonprofit leadership, and public policy. Earlier in life, I envisioned a more traditional professional path, but military life introduced me to a community and mission that became deeply personal. Today, I have the opportunity to help shape conversations around veteran and military spouse employment, leadership, and representation. While the path has been far different than I expected, it has ultimately been more meaningful than I could have planned.
How did military life (PCSing, deployments, trainings, etc) factor into your career decisions?
Military life influenced nearly every career decision I have made. The uncertainty of deployments, training schedules, and potential relocations required me to prioritize flexibility, transferable skills, and mission-driven work. It also taught me the importance of building professional networks and remaining open to unexpected opportunities. While military life created challenges, it also introduced me to communities, experiences, and leadership opportunities that ultimately shaped the direction of my career.
What resources have you found to be useful in your career/entrepreneur journey?
Some of the most valuable resources have been mentorship programs, professional networking organizations, and military spouse employment initiatives. Programs such as Hiring Our Heroes, RecruitMilitary, and American Corporate Partners helped me build skills, confidence, and professional connections. Equally important has been the support of the military spouse community itself, which offers practical advice, encouragement, and shared understanding that cannot be found anywhere else.
Final word: what are your top tips for other military spouses about navigating a career within the military lifestyle?
My biggest piece of advice is to stop viewing your military spouse experience as a career obstacle and start recognizing it as a leadership credential. Military spouses develop skills that employers value, including adaptability, resilience, problem-solving, relationship building, and the ability to lead through uncertainty. Learn how to articulate those skills with confidence.
Second, invest in your network before you need it. Every duty station, volunteer role, fellowship, and professional organization is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships. Many of the opportunities in my career came through people who knew my work and were willing to open a door, make an introduction, or advocate on my behalf.
Third, be willing to redefine success throughout different seasons of military life. There were times when I focused on gaining experience, times when flexibility mattered most, and times when I was ready to pursue leadership opportunities. Careers are rarely linear, and military life often requires us to think long-term rather than job-to-job.
For spouses navigating a transition out of active duty, start planning earlier than you think you need to. The military provides a built-in community, identity, and structure that can be difficult to replace overnight. Focus not only on employment, but also on building a new professional network, identifying your family's priorities, and creating a vision for what comes next. The transition can feel uncertain, but it is also an opportunity to intentionally design the next chapter of your life.
Finally, don't wait for permission to pursue your goals. Military spouses are often accustomed to supporting everyone else's mission. Your career, ambitions, and personal growth matter too. The military community needs more spouses who are willing to step into leadership, share their expertise, and help shape the future for those who come after them.
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