Nikki Kuykendall

Nikki Kuykendall is the proud Founder and Executive Director of Ember Elevation Collective. A U.S. Army and National Guard veteran, she served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician during Operation Iraqi Freedom, gaining firsthand insight into the empowerment, impact, and challenges women in military service experience while supporting their country. Nikki later worked as a Device Defeat Fabricator and Instructor at the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School, where she trained and learned alongside law enforcement and first responder professionals dedicated to protecting communities on the homefront. Nikki is currently in graduate school pursuing licensure as a therapist, driven by a deep commitment to mental health advocacy and trauma-informed care. She lives in North Carolina on a small homestead and she enjoys fitness, travel, hands-on home projects, and intentional time with her family and community.

Ember Elevation Collective was born from Nikki’s lived experience and a recognition of a critical gap for women in the military and first responder communities. Too often, these women lack spaces designed to foster meaningful connection with others who share similar experiences. Ember exists to change that. Our goal is to create opportunities to build relationships with like-minded professionals, learn practical stress-management and mental wellness tools, and participate in immersive experiences designed to help women rest, reconnect, and rise.