Smart Women, Smart Power

Host Kathleen McInnis sat down with the Ambassador of Denmark to the United States, Christina Markus Lassen, on her extensive career in the Danish Foreign Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the conversation includes a deep dive into Danish’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

On March 6, Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA, joined Kathleen McInnis for a Smart Women, Smart Power speaker series event. The pair discussed how CARE USA has worked to rally the global community to respond to recent humanitarian crises holistically, from the Ukrainian refugee crisis, Covid-19, and the recent deadly earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, to the growing hunger crisis around t...

On March 1, the 25th U.S. Secretary of the Army, HON Christine E. Wormuth, sat down with CSIS Senior Adviser and Director of the Defending Democratic Institutions Project, Suzanne Spaulding, for a Smart Women, Smart Power speaker series event. The pair discussed the priorities of the United States Army as the institution prepares for this era of geopolitical uncertainty, as well as Secretary Wormu...

Host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Colonel Julie Callacott, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command Assistant Chief of Staff Support, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum. Colonel Callacott described her experience as a Task Force Commander for the Canadian Airfield opening team in Mali, which included her role in landing a C-17 on an untested, newly cons...

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Captain Jenny Ström, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla in the Swedish Navy, at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum. Captain Ström discussed her former role as Head of the Recruitment Branch in the Training Department of the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters, where she focused on recruitment and retaining females with...

On January 27, the President of the Las Vegas Raiders, Sandra Douglass Morgan, sat down with CSIS Senior Fellow and Deputy Director of the International Security Program Emily Harding for a Smart Women, Smart Power speaker series event. The pair discussed the rise of women in the National Football League (NFL) and Sandra's former role as chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board during the sta...

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Ambassador Kelley Currie, former Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum. Ambassador Currie discussed her role in discovering the horrific genocide taking place in China against the Uyghur community. #HFX2022   Please note this episode co...

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis spoke with Captain Erin Williams, Commanding Officer, USCG Activities Far East, United States Coast Guard, at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum. Captain Williams described the aftermath of a tug hitting Bligh Reef two days before Christmas during an ice scouting mission for tank vessels transiting Prince William Sound. #HFX2022

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat down at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum with Kamila Sidiqi, an Afghan entrepreneur and former government official. The pair highlighted Kamila’s innovative work and discussed the resilience of Afghan women in the country today. 

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Enoh T. Ebong. Director Ebong discussed her role and priorities at USTDA, in addition to her role in approving grant funding for a feasibility study that supported the development of solar-powered microgrids in Zambia.

Host Kathleen McInnis sat down with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. The pair discussed the global fight against organized crimes and drug trafficking, including the trafficking of women. In addition, they discussed the outcomes of the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs, hosted on December 15, 2022.   Please be advised this episode includes a discussion o...

On December 13, as part of the Smart Women, Smart Power speaker series, Dr. Kathleen McInnis sat down with Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO. The pair discussed the future of the NATO alliance, and the current situation in Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including Finland and Sweden’s succession to NATO.

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat down at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum with Maryna Baydyuk, Assistant Research Professor at Georgetown University, and co-founder of United Help Ukraine. The pair discussed the work of the charitable non-profit organization United Help Ukraine, which provides medical and humanitarian support, as well as the critically important non-lethal r...

Host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Lisa Kaplan, the founder of Alethea, a company designed to help organizations navigate the new digital reality and protect themselves against disinformation. This conversation took place at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum, where the pair discussed the current landscape of the information space, including social media, among other things.

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat with Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum. The pair discussed Ambassador Jenkins’ priorities in the State Department, including her work on arms control, and the power of diplomacy. #HFX2022

Dr. Mara E. Karlin, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, joined host Kathleen McInnis for a conversation on the newly released 2022 National Defense Strategy, including the focus on the urgent need to sustain and strengthen deterrence with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the pacing challenge.

On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis talks with the Honorable Erin C. Conaton, former Under Secretary of the Air Force, and former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The pair discussed the Hon. Conaton’s time on the Hill and in the Pentagon, including her work to get the Air Force’s Next Generation Strategic Bomber, the B-21, approved as part of the Department of Defense’s P...

On November 1, the CSIS Strategic Technologies Program hosted Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Jen Easterly for a conversation on the future of U.S. cyber and infrastructure security, including CISA’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2025. This conversation was moderated by Suzanne Spaulding, and Smart Women, Smart Power is delighted to share this timely and critical...

The Smart Women, Smart Power podcast is taking a fall break this week to refresh and recharge. We’ll see you next week!

Host Kathleen McInnis sat down with President of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) Amy Gilliland for a conversation on the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace. In addition, they discussed how creating a people-first environment influences innovation. Please note this episode contains subject matter relating to mental health and the topic of suicide. Listener disc...

On October 3rd, as part of the Smart Women, Smart Power speaker series, Emily Harding, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow of the International Security Program, sat down with the Honorable Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, for an update on Russia’s operations in Ukraine.

Host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5) Phyllis J. Wilson for a discussion on her participation on the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Studies Group. During her time in this group, Phyllis worked to understand what the future operating environment would be like in 2030-2050. Today, Phyllis is the President of the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Fo...

As a part of our Smart Women, Smart Power speaker series, host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Ambassador Kristen Silverberg, President and COO of the Business Roundtable and former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union. The pair explored the many roles – formal and informal – business leaders play in international affairs.

In this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Elizabeth King, Majority Staff Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee. The pair discussed her role on the Hill over the years, including the extent to which women bring a new perspective to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Smart Women, Smart Power podcast is taking a break this week to refresh, recharge and get ready for an exciting lineup of guests this fall. They’ll be back to you in September with insights from the leading women in national security.