National Military Family Association Welcomes New Board Members: April Edrington and Dr. Al Edwards
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is proud to announce the appointment of April Edrington and Dr. Al Edwards to its Board of Governors. These distinguished leaders bring a wealth of expertise in military family advocacy, development, and health policy and will boost NMFA’s work toward strengthening military families.
April Edrington: A Legacy of Nonprofit Leadership and Fundraising Excellence
April Edrington is the Founder and President of Edrington Consulting, where she specializes in development and fundraising strategies for nonprofits. She has held several leadership roles at Harvard University, including Senior Director for Strategic Priorities, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, and Major Gifts and Foundation Officer at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. She currently serves as Board Secretary and Chair at the Harvard Federal Credit Union.
Before her tenure at Harvard, Edrington worked with organizations such as the National Women’s Political Caucus and NARAL, bringing a deep understanding of advocacy and nonprofit management. She has been a longtime supporter of military families through NMFA, and her own military family experience fuels her passion for the mission.
“As a military kid who moved thousands of miles each time our family PCSed, I know many of the joys and challenges that military families face,” said Edrington. “NMFA’s vision to create a world where military families are thriving is near and dear to my heart. I’m excited to bring to support NMFA’s work to strengthen financial security, well-being, and quality of life for all military families.”
Dr. Al Edwards: A Distinguished Career in Military Health Policy and Advocacy
Dr. Al Edwards joins the NMFA Board of Governors with extensive experience in military health policy and legislative affairs. He currently serves as a Principal Advisor at Delta Dental. From 2013 to 2023, Dr. Edwards served as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) under the leadership of Chairman John McCain and Chairman/Ranking Member Jim Inhofe. In this role, he was responsible for crafting critical legislative provisions in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), shaping policies that directly impact service members and their families.
Prior to his time on Capitol Hill, Dr. Edwards was a Senior Health Policy Analyst for TRICARE, leveraging his expertise in military health care to drive meaningful reforms. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he also holds a doctorate in dental medicine, further underscoring his commitment to military health and wellness.
“I’m excited to join NMFA as we continue to advocate for military families,” said Edwards. “In my work on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I saw up close the huge impact that NMFA makes on the Hill. It’s a pleasure to serve now as a board member to ensure that the nation continues to honor the service and sacrifice of military families.”
“We are thrilled to welcome these two powerhouses to our Board of Governors,” said VADM Raquel “Rocky” C. Bono, USN (Ret), NMFA Board Chairman. “April’s leadership in nonprofit development and Al’s extensive experience shaping military family policy will strengthen our ability to drive meaningful change.”
View NMFA’s full Board of Governors.
ABOUT NMFA
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving all military families. Since 1969, NMFA has worked with families to identify and solve the unique challenges of military life through advocacy and programs. NMFA provides scholarships for military spouses, camps for military kids, and programs for military teens. The Association’s research creates a better understanding of the experience of today’s military families. NMFA serves the families of the currently serving, veteran, retired, wounded, or fallen members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA.
