Lauren Hope, a serial entrepreneur as well as an active duty military spouse, is the Executive Director of Second Service Foundation. In 2017, Lauren was named the Armed Forces Insurance United States Military Academy Spouse of the Year, and then again in 2019 named the Armed Forces Insurance Fort Leavenworth Spouse of the Year due to her continued support and service to her individual Army communities and the military community as a whole.
Her entrepreneurial journey came to center stage as owner and artisan behind Hope Design Ltd. This thriving small business specializes in creating military jewelry and accessories to honor our country’s service veterans and heroes. Lauren’s entrepreneurial journey began in response to the demands and constant changes associated with military life, and she found success through her drive and dedication.
Prior to starting Hope Design Ltd., Lauren graduated at the top of her class as student body president at The Culinary Institute of America in New York, and was named best student chef by Food & Wine Magazine. As a professional in the culinary world, Lauren worked at the Ritz Carlton, organized the certified Master Chef exam, and commanded a 4-star, 5-diamond restaurant as the Sous Chef of the historic Hilton Netherland Plaza hotel. Through Lauren’s personal struggles to find employment in her chosen profession and eventually her decision to pursue owning a small business, she has become an advocate for other military spouses and veterans seeking meaningful employment.
Lauren currently serves on the boards for the Military Family Advisory Network and the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network. The Military Family Advisory Network is the authentic voice of the modern military family and the bridge that connects military families to the resources, people, and information they depend on to successfully navigate all phases of military life. Lauren heads the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network’s “Arm-Me Up© Careers Campaign,” which provides Army spouses with no-cost job placement assistance and career progression services. She is also a Hiring Our Heroes Mentor, and launched the #ShopMilitary social media campaign and website directory in order to support and promote other military spouses and veteran entrepreneurs at no cost to these businesses.
She has been actively involved in military housing advocacy. Lauren is an avid public speaker, motivating and inspiring crowds at events such as the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® Town Halls, NMSN Congressional Round Table, and the Military Influencer Conference.
