Celebrating the role of women in natsec.
In its inaugural year, the 2022 Women in National Security Media Festival brings together the many organizations serving our community. Throughout the week of March 14–19, we will jointly celebrate and illuminate the role of women in national security through public and media events designed to honor their service by amplifying and explaining their stories.
The festival will see events hosted by many organizations, including a book event, a film series, a campaign to secure a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor for Office of Strategic Services (OSS) legend Virginia Hall, a panel discussion on mentoring, and will close with a Living Legends gala dinner celebration recognizing modern-day heroes.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
The Honorable Sue Gordon, Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
The Honorable Ellen McCarthy, Former Assistant Secretary of State for Research and Intelligence
Kristin Wood, Former Senior Intelligence Officer, Central Intelligence Agency
Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg, President, Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA)
Suzanne Kelly, CEO and Publisher, The Cipher Brief
Megan Jaffer, Co-Founder, Amazing Women of the Intelligence Community (AWIC)
Cadie Naquin, Executive Director, Amazing Women of the Intelligence Community (AWIC)
Janaki Kates, Director of Government Relations for Intelligence Programs and former Intelligence Officer, Central Intelligence Agency
Cynthia Saddy, Former Senior Intelligence Officer, Central Intelligence Agency
Kelli Holden, Former Senior Intelligence Officer, Central Intelligence Agency
Meredith Woodruff, Former Senior Intelligence Officer, Central Intelligence Agency
2022 SCHEDULED EVENTS
March 14
SXSW Panel | “Disinformation: How Spies Can Help Find Truth”
Austin, Texas | 5pm ET/4pm CT
Panel Participants: Current Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Stacey Dixon, Former Director, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Ellen McCarthy; Former CIA Officer Teresa Smetzer; and Publisher & CEO of The Cipher Brief Suzanne Kelly
March 15
NSI Panel Discussion | Front and Center: Nat Sec Women in Media
Virtual Event | 12–1pm ET
NSI is excited to host Sarah Isgur, political commentator – including at The Dispatch and podcast host of Advisory Opinions – and former spokesperson for the Department of Justice, Lauren Claffey, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security and now President of Claffey Communications, and Heather Molino, who has over two decades of Capitol Hill and communications experience, as well as a decade in broadcast journalism. Moderating the event will be Tal Kopan, Senior Political reporter and Washington correspondent for the SF Chronicle.
>> Register to join the virtual event
Book Event | Erika Robuck, author of Sisters of Night and Fog
Politics & Prose at Union Market | Washington, DC | 7–8pm ET
Sponsored By: Amazing Women of the IC (AWIC)
March 16
Webinar | The Real Harriet Tubman with Dr. Kate Clifford Larson
International Spy Museum Virtual Event | 12–1pm ET
>> Register to join the virtual event
Girl Security Panel Discussion | The Evolution of National Security
Virtual Event | 6–7pm ET
>> Register to join the virtual event
March 17
Lipstick Mafia Networking Event | Hosted by Kathleen Kiernan, President, NEC National Security Systems
420l Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA | 4:30–6:30pm ET
Guest Speakers: Deputy Assistant Secretary Annette Redmond for Intelligence Policy and Coordination at the U.S. Department of State and LTG (ret) and Karen Gibson, the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper at the U.S. Senate
Guest Authors: Liza Mundy, author of Code Girls and Katherine Schweit, author of Stop the Killing
Virtual Night at the Movies | A Call To Spy
7–10pm ET
Sponsored by: INSA and Spycraft Entertainment
A Call to Spy is a riveting story about Virginia Hall and the women of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in World War II. The 7pm film screening will be immediately followed by an hour-long expert panel discussion with Q&A, featuring:
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Sarah Megan Thomas, the film’s writer, producer, and the actor who plays Virginia Hall
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Dr. Alexis Albion, Lead Curator at the International Spy Museum
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Meredith Woodruff, former senior CIA operations officer
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Kristin Wood, a former senior CIA officer, will moderate the discussion
>> Register for the film screening
>> Register for the expert panel discussion
March 18
Virginia Hall Goillot Gala Awards Dinner
By Invitation Only | International Spy Museum
Podcast | Special Episode of the Iron Butterfly Podcast with Megan Jaffer
10am ET | Your Preferred Podcast Platform
SPONSORSHIP
Interested in sponsoring this year’s event?
For a $2,500 or $5,000 sponsorship, your logo will be included on the event website, at all live and virtual events, in banners, and on programs. All sponsors will be recognized at the March 18th Virginia Hall Goillot Gala Awards Dinner at the International Spy Museum.
Each $5,000 contribution also includes two tickets to the Virginia Hall Goillot Gala Awards dinner.
Contributions are not tax-deductible.
Contact kristinwd4@gmail.com for more information.
