TIFFANY ORNER’S STORY
This Veterans Day, we honor those who have served our country. Their courage and commitment have shaped our nation. For many veterans, their impact extends far beyond their military service. Tiffany Orner, an alum of The Policy Circle’s civic leadership program, is a living testament to how one person’s passion can create lasting change for both military and civilian communities.
“When I work with clients who want to ‘support the military,’ I challenge them: how many veterans or military spouses are on your staff? How are you actually engaging with that community? Because if you want to serve authentically, it has to start internally.”
Tiffany’s roots in the military run deep. A third‑generation service member and second‑generation female Air Force veteran, she’s also a military spouse and a mother of three amazing children. From navigating the challenges of military life to facing personal battles with PTSD, Tiffany has faced adversity head‑on. Rather than letting those experiences define her, she has used them as a catalyst for positive change.
After her time in the Air Force, Tiffany continued to advocate for service members and military families at every turn. She helped lead initiatives like Forever Warriors and the Grunt Style Foundation. During that time, her and her team worked alongside Jon Stewart to pass the federal PACT Act, which helps veterans with toxic exposure get the healthcare and benefits they need. Five months after moving to Florida’s Emerald Coast, she stood alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis as he signed a package of bills that support military members and their families.
Leveraging her expertise with military families and communities, Tiffany started IGY6 Company. An acronym for the military phrase, “I’ve got your six” (or I’ve got your back), IGY6 Company works to help recession-proof businesses authentically integrate into communities, especially those with significant military populations.
After attending a Niceville city council meeting as part of a Policy Circle assignment, Tiffany took the opportunity to meet with the Niceville Police Chief.
That conversation led her to support Coffee With a Cop, an event meant to break down barriers between law enforcement and the community through meaningful conversations over coffee. Through an IGY6 client, Tiffany secured funding to cover the cost of every coffee served to help make the event accessible to everyone.
“Don’t worry about what someone else is going to say. Go engage and do the thing. Because if you’re not going to do it, who is? My favorite Bible verse is, ‘Here I am, send me?’ If you feel it, it’s for a reason. Whether you believe in God, the universe, Buddha, whatever. Just do it.”
Tiffany’s civic engagement doesn’t stop there. Inspired by her experience with The Policy Circle, she now regularly attends city council meetings to gain a firsthand understanding of local issues. She applies that insight to her work and advocacy, whether it’s supporting affordable military childcare via programs like “Hometown Helpers” or helping military families access essential resources. Her efforts underscore the importance of listening and showing up.
STEPPING UP
At The Policy Circle, the Military Outreach Initiative helps women in the military community engage civically and build leadership through the Civic Leadership Program. It’s part of the organization’s commitment to equip and connect service‑rooted women with the tools, networks, and opportunities to lead. Learn more about the Military Outreach Initiative. Host a Circle discussion using The Policy Circle’s Veterans Brief to dig into the issues with your community.
