Kathleen C. Thompson
Kathleen C. Thompson is a highly experienced Work and Family Life Coordinator and Ombudsman Coordinator at the Fleet and Family Support Center in Newport News, Virginia, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. For over 20+ years, she has provided dedicated support to military personnel, retirees, and their families, offering one-on-one consultations, group facilitations, and specialized training in areas such as anger management, suicide prevention, parenting, and other life skills programs. Her role as an Ombudsman Coordinator is to educate a volunteer spouse of a service member who acts as a liaison between the command and its families. The Ombudsman are appointed by the Commanding Officer (CO) and serve as a vital link between commands and families, ensuring that service members and their loved ones have the resources and guidance needed to thrive.
Throughout her career, Kathleen has demonstrated exceptional leadership and program management skills, earning 22 Commendation Coins for Excellence in Training from multiple commanding officers. She is also a Certified Life Coach and Certified Ombudsman Trainer, credentials that reflect her commitment to empowering individuals and families with practical tools for success. Beyond her professional duties, she has extended her expertise into personal styling, helping clients present themselves with confidence and purpose.
Kathleen’s dedication to community and service extends beyond her military-focused work. She is a member of the NAACP and has been recognized for her tireless efforts to prepare individuals for life challenges they may not have experienced before. Her combination of professional skill, compassion, and innovative training approaches has made her a trusted mentor, educator, and advocate within the military and local communities alike.
• Certified Life Coach Certifiedf; Ombudsman Coordinator
• IAP Career College
• 22 Commendation Coins for Excellence in Training
• NAACP, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is attributed to my passion, empathy for helping individuals and families develop the life skills they need to create better lives. Honesty, trust, love, and genuinely caring about others guide everything I do, both at work and in my personal life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to persevere, believe in myself, have patience, rely on the support of leadership, family, and friends. Having my education and big heart guide me in making a positive impact to those who are in need of support.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to keep moving forward, persevere—don’t let life’s circumstances stop you from achieving what you desire in life, they'll be obstacles along the way, just look at those obstacles as challenges that will only give you the strength and determination to achieve your goals. Keep an open mind and never stop learning!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Military families are unique and different from civilian families, facing deployments, uncertainty, and some challenges that a civilian family may not. One of the challenges in my field right now is ensuring families receive information and the resources that are available to them. At the same time, there’s a great opportunity to encourage them to be open to new possibilities and to believe in themselves as they move forward on their journey.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion, family, empathy, honesty, perseverance, respect and love.