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About

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.

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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

Organizing Committee

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)

>> Register to attend

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

>> Register to attend


 

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:

  • Sarah Megan Thomas, the film’s writer, producer, and the actor who plays Virginia Hall

  • Dr. Alexis Albion, Lead Curator at the International Spy Museum

  • Meredith Woodruff, former senior CIA operations officer

  • 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

Events
Sponsorship

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.

Meetup Meeting

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

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