Ariana Bostian-Kentes, President

Ariana Bostian-Kentes

Ariana is the President of Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC). Outside of her role as the MPFC President, Ariana works full-time as the Educational Outreach Coordinator at the University of Michigan Spectrum Center, the nation’s oldest LGBTQ center on a college campus, in Ann Arbor, MI. She is also vice-president and co-founder of Military Spouses of Michigan (MSoM). She brings her passion for social justice education to the organization as well as her experience with public speaking and working with people from a diversity of communities. She and her partner, a 1LT in the Michigan Army National Guard, live in Michigan.

Tracey Hepner, Co-founder

Tracey Hepner

Tracey is a co-founder of the Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC) and currently serves as the Operations Director. She is also founder of Rainbow Ribbon and the Rainbow Ribbon Project, organizations dedicated to raising visibility of LGBT military families. That involvement led her to testify to the CWG representing gay military families. Outside of her work with MPFC Ms. Hepner works full time for the Department of Homeland Security as a Master Behavior Detection Officer. She brings community outreach and coalition building expertise to the organization. She and her spouse BG Tammy Smith live in Arlington, VA.

Samuel Toba

Samuel, PhD, MBA, is a co-founder of the Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC) and currently serves as the Outreach Director. Dr. Toba is a spouse of an active duty service member stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He has over 15 years of non-profit experience in seeking funding, building community outreach projects, and developing programs. Dr. Toba also served as an executive board member to Immigration Equality, a national organization fighting for equality under U.S. immigration law for LGBT and HIV positive individuals.

Deborah Graham, Co-founder

Deborah Graham

Deborah is the legal spouse of an active duty service member stationed at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. A previous resident of New Jersey where she completed her bachelor’s degree in social work and continues to build and maintain her relationships with the social work community as well as the counseling community. Her experience and knowledge in social work-related issues allows her to provide a unique perspective in her work with MPFC. She was instrumental in developing strong coalition bonds with members of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), Agape Empowerment Ministries in GA and You Are Strong! Center on Veterans Health and Human Services in Charleston SC, where she holds the post of Executive Member of You Are Strong! Planning Committee. Deborah was recently offered the position of Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leader for Bravo Unit by the company commander of Ft. Stewart where her spouse is currently stationed.