Webinar: Understanding your own survivor benefits and how you can advocate for change

Candace Wheeler

Candace Wheeler is Senior Director of TAPS Government and Legislative Affairs. Candace Wheeler first joined TAPS in 2018 as the Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislation. As a staunch military-family advocate with over 30 years of experience, Candace works to protect the rights and earned benefits of surviving families. Her advocacy on behalf of TAPS and military survivors on Capitol Hill has directly impacted legislation and survivor benefits, including the passage of the historic Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022; the elimination of the Survivor Benefit Plan — Dependency and Indemnity offset or “Widow’s Tax.” Prior to joining TAPS, Candace was the Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing at the American Logistics Association, and she previously served as the Government Relations Deputy Director for the National Military Family Association. She holds a Master of Political Management from George Washington University, a B.A. in international relations from the University of Southern California, and an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University.

Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann

Ashlynne is Director, TAPS Government and Legislative Affairs. Ashlynne is the surviving daughter of SFC Jeffrey J. Haycock, who died in an Army training accident, and Nichole C. Haycock, an Air Force Veteran who died by suicide. Ashlynne holds a bachelor's in political science from American University and has been deeply involved with TAPS, attending and mentoring at the Good Grief Camp. She advocates for surviving families and previously served on the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Education and as a Negotiated Rulemaker for the Department of Education.