Our Story
At The STEPS Foundation, we understand from personal experience that the transition from military to civilian life can be a challenging journey, not just for the service member but also for the family. Founded out of genuine need, The STEPS Foundation emerged from the realization that while there were numerous organizations dedicated to supporting veterans, there was a significant gap in resources for the spouses of those who served in Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Our story began with a personal journey. As a spouse of a SOF veteran with 26 years on active duty, I experienced first hand the lack of support available for SOF spouses navigating the complexities of this transition. Determined to bridge this gap, The STEPS Foundation was born.
With the invaluable support of fellow organizations who support the SOF community, we embarked on a two-year journey of development and collaboration. Partnering with SOF spouses like Miriya Smith, our Director of Programs, has added immense value to our team and the programming we offer. 70% of our service providers are Spouses from the SOF community. Drawing from our collective experiences and insights, we have crafted holistic, personalized programming designed specifically to address the unique needs of SOF spouses as they reintegrate into civilian life.
In December of 2023, The STEPS Foundation was founded to continue the Spouse Transition Enrichment Programs and Support (STEPS) serving the SOF community with support and guidance for SOF spouses across the nation. We navigate the challenges, celebrate the victories, and uplift one another on the transformative journey.
Welcome to the STEPS Foundation, where we are empowering women every step of the way.
The STEPS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, national non profit charitable foundation. Tax I.D. Number 37-2120310
Our Team
Angela DeJarnette
Founder & Executive Director
Angela DeJarnette, the Founder and Executive Director of The STEPS Foundation, brings her unwavering commitment and personal experience to empower the spouses of Special Operations service members during their transition from military to civilian life. Having been married to Captain Tom DeJarnette for two decades, Angela intimately understands the unique challenges faced by military spouses throughout their journey. Her family's story includes enduring six deployments, ten relocations, and two overseas tours, residing in places such as Okinawa and Belgium.
Angela's dedication to supporting and mentoring transitioning military spouses remains at the heart of The STEPS Foundation's mission, ensuring that every spouse finds the strength, resources, and community they need to thrive in their civilian life.
Miriya Smith
Director of Programs
Miriya Smith, our dedicated Director of Programming at The STEPS Foundation, brings a rich background and deep commitment to her role. Originally from Southern Maine, Miriya ventured to Boston, Massachusetts, where she pursued her passion for Entrepreneurship and Marketing, earning a BA degree from Suffolk University.
After completing her education, Miriya found her way to the sunny shores of San Diego, California, where she has made her home with her husband for the past 14 years. During this time, she has established herself as a seasoned professional in Human Resources, dedicating 11 years to this field. Her expertise in HR has equipped her with valuable insights into the dynamics of organizational management and development. Miriya's extensive HR experience is now directed towards her heartfelt commitment to the military community through her work with STEPS.
Debbie Lehr-Lee
Director of Coaching
Director of Coaching for The STEPS Foundation, has been honored to serve military spouses since 2021. As the mother of an active-duty Navy SEAL, she finds deep fulfillment in giving back to a community that faces unique and ongoing challenges while supporting their operator partners. Debbie takes great pride in the exceptional team of ICF-certified coaches she leads—professionals who consistently elevate the quality and breadth of services offered to this resilient community.
Before joining STEPS, Debbie spent two decades in a variety of marketing roles at Intel Corporation, all while remaining deeply involved in local school/ volunteer efforts. In her encore career, she followed her passion for personal development, becoming an ICF-certified coach with a focus on helping students build the life skills necessary to thrive as capable and fulfilled adults.
Since 2016, Debbie has also worked closely with Navy SEALs during their transition from active duty to civilian life. Through that experience, she recognized a critical need to support SEAL spouses as they navigate their own transitions—an insight that continues to inform her work today.
Debbie holds an MBA from UC Berkeley, a BS from UC Davis, earned her coaching certification through iPEC, and achieved her ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential in 2012.
Libby Ahlstrom
Clinical Director
Libby Ahlstrom serves as Clinical Director for The STEPS Foundation, while maintaining private practice as a Somatic Coach and is an award winning independent film maker.
With over ten years experience in private practice, and as former Director of Operations and Program Development for an in-patient mental health/addiction treatment center, Libby is dedicated to challenging the current paradigms that exist in women’s healthcare.
Libby strives to introduce body based, trauma informed treatment models that include a strong emphasis on somatic practices, coupled with Internal Family Systems Therapy.
Libby is an Accredited Member of The International Coach Federation, a Certified Health Coach, and has received further training and certifications in Somatic therapy, Embodied leadership, Internal Family Systems and Integrative Pelvic Care.
Mackenzie Padell
Director, Strategy & Development
Mackenzie is a mission-driven executive leader with nearly two decades of experience spanning healthcare, nonprofit strategy, and multi-state operations. Her career has been marked by building impactful organizations from the ground up — including co-founding The 31Heroes Project, which raised over $3 million in support of Gold Star families, and leading CauseEngine, a boutique agency that equipped nonprofits with critical talent and strategy. Her operational leadership has ranged from transforming primary care models at major health systems to guiding startups and veteran-owned businesses through growth, compliance, and successful exits.
As a passionate advocate for military families and special operations communities, Mackenzie brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial drive, operational rigor, and personal commitment to STEPS. Her work continues to center on empowering military spouses through intentional programming, professional development, and long-term impact. Whether launching innovative campaigns or mentoring female leaders, Mackenzie’s focus remains clear: building stronger systems to serve those who serve — and those who stand beside them.
