Debbie L. Berry Legacy Award

Congratulations to Lindsey Spalding on her selection as the Women in Defense, Central Florida Chapter (WID-CFL) Debbie L. Berry Legacy Award that honors WID’s mission is to advance women in national security through networking, education, and career development.

As a Board member of WID-CFL, Lindsey serves as the Director of STEM. She has 20 years of national experience building and teaching integrated STEM programs nationally prior to entering the defense industry and teaching integrated STEM in middle and high schools nationally to expand STEM access years before entering the defense industry. She works directly with K-14 educators and community members to build learning opportunities outside the standard curriculum. This includes teaching integrated STEM in middle and high schools, giving her firsthand insight into where students disengage or leave STEM pathways.  She serves as a networking connector between local schools, families and the broader STEM and defense community in Central Florida.

Debbie L. Berry was honored to present this award to Lindsey to recognize her contributions and success. “Lindsey is an exemplary WID member who is driven to open doors and provide opportunities for the next few generations. Her enthusiasm and dedication are contagious to everyone around her. We are grateful for her leadership.”

As the Director of Workforce Development at National Center for Simulation (NCS) in Orlando, FL, Lindsey designed and manages a talent pipeline that begins in fifth grade with DoD STARBASE Central Florida and continues through middle school, high school, and college internships, culminating in an M&S certification program for entry-level professionals. She designed and now operates the NCS MS&T workforce pipeline: DoD STARBASE Central Florida (grade 5) through middle school, high school and college internships, to the M&S certification program for entry-level professionals.

As both a board member and workforce developer, she aligns WID’s mission with a talent pipeline, allowing WID to help shape, not just recruit from, future industry talent. Her work continues to influence how STEM education, workforce readiness, and national security intersect.

Lindsey is pursuing a Ph.D. in Modeling & Simulation Applications to STEM Education and Workforce Readiness, Florida Institute of Technology; a M.Ed. in Science Leadership from the University of Central Florida; and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Stetson University.

About Women in Defense – Central Florida Chapter

Women in Defense, a National Security Organization and affiliate of NDIA, promotes the advancement and recognition of women in all aspects of national security. The Central Florida Chapter supports professional development, networking, education, and community engagement across the region’s robust defense and MS&T sectors.

The Debbie L. Berry Legacy Award was established in 2014 by the Women In Defense Central Florida Chapter (WID-CFL). It celebrates the accomplishments of the founding President and emeritus member of the chapter, Debbie L. Berry, and her exceptional leadership, mentoring and community involvement in the defense industry. In 2018, this award was embraced at the state level, permitting all WID Florida Chapters to submit their nomination to recognize an individual’s exceptional contributions.

The Debbie L. Berry Legacy Award is presented to an individual WID Florida chapter member in recognition of outstanding leadership, upholding the mission of Women In Defense, a National Security Organization (WID), and supporting the defense industry and the Florida Community. Nominees must show the following:

• Have an established track record of advocating for women in the government and/or defense industry
• Have recognized achievements such as leadership excellence, mentorship, community involvement, and impact on future generations of WID