Program Recordings and Recaps  

On Wednesday, July 17, more than 200 intelligence, defense, and national security professionals gathered in Arlington, VA for The New IC, a full-day program focused on workplace issues impacting women in the intelligence and national security communities.    View Event Photos.

Opening Keynote: La'Naia Jones

The morning kicked off with keynote remarks by La'Naia Jones, CIO and Director, Information Technology Enterprise, CIA. She stated that her key message was, "give yourself grace." Through this theme, she offered six pieces of advice on how to be intentional throughout your career and to be the best version of yourself. First, be you. Bring your individualistic perspective to help the overall mission, and don’t forget to take care of yourself. Second, be kind. You never know what other people are going through. Third, take risks. Challenge yourself, and don’t be afraid to “pack your backpack” with different skills along your career journey. Fourth, embrace failure. It is important to take accountability for our missteps. Fifth, embrace experiences. Always remember where you came from and be proud of the journey you have taken to be where you are today. Lastly, have fun. Do what makes you happy, no one is promised tomorrow. 

Panel: The Broken Rung: Barriers Holding Women Back at Work

Speakers:

• Jo-Ellen Adkins, Deputy Director, Human Development Directorate, NGA
• Celia Durall, Executive Director, NCTC
• Kate Hewitt, Deputy Director for Nuclear Forensics, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Nuclear Matters
• Stephanie Leung, Senior Director of Business Development Intelligence, GDIT
• Cortney Weinbaum, Senior National Security Researcher, RAND Corporation
• Candice Frost, Director, Integrated DoD Account, Nightwing (moderator)

The speakers shed light on various issues that women face in the workplace, including how women often miss the first promotion because they are evaluated on past experience versus their potential like their male counterparts. The panel discussed how to find mentors and sponsors, how women can better support each other in the workplace, and ways men can be better allies. 

Ignite Rounds: Mid-Career Reintegration, Reinvention, and Resilience

Five speakers took the stage to share inspiring lessons from their personal and professional journeys in a series of brief but deeply moving speeches.

America Cammarota, Assessments Strategist, OUSD I&S discussed how she has confronted the challenge of ‘limiting beliefs,’ which she defined as thoughts and opinions on what we perceive to be reasonable and the beliefs that we hold for ourselves. She said that it is important to take leaps of faith, find good mentors, and cultivate a learning mindset.

Dominique Cooper, Director of Business Development, LeoLabs, described how she has built her career as a master pivot-er, regularly pursuing new opportunities outside of her comfort zone. She acknowledged that pivoting requires an open mind and bravery–and that the art of pivoting is rarely about pivoting itself, so much as about the journey.

Jennifer Ewbank, founder, Andaman Advisors, shared her experience transitioning from a decades-long career in high-stakes intelligence operations. Aware of the challenges many former intelligence officers face during this transition, she wanted to take a different approach to prepare for her retirement. She decided to embark on the 800km pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago alone. Through this journey, she discovered the value of mindfulness, human connection, living life in the present, and embracing life’s inevitable transitions. 

Nateé Johnson, Managing Consultant, Defense & Security Segment, Guidehouse, described how a backpacking trip in Patagonia taught her the value of doing hard things, struggling for a while, and enjoying a 1% improvement, and then doing the same hard thing 100 more times to continue improving.  

Lindy Kyzer, Director of Content and PR, ClearanceJobs.com, shared how she has never allowed her career to be restrained by her job title, gender, or label. Instead, she has made a better job for herself and done what needs to be done. She emphasized the importance of building a strong community, because they will show up for you and lift you up, even when you’re filled with doubts pr don’t believe in yourself.  

Live Podcast: Iron Butterfly with Eman Blair

Speakers:

• Eman Blair, VP for IC Strategy, Primer AI
• Cadie Naquin Hopkins, Co-Founder, Iron Butterfly Media (moderator)

After lunch, Iron Butterfly Media hosted a live podcast with former CIA officer Eman Blair. Now a VP for IC Strategy at Primer AI, Ms. Blair discussed her compelling personal and career journey with Iron Butterfly podcast host Cadie Hopkins. The discussion began with Ms. Blair sharing her transformation from refugee to a highly decorated college graduate with three master's degrees. She emphasized resilience, determination, and family were her motivation to join the intelligence community. Ms. Blair's fluency in Arabic opened several job opportunities after 9/11, which led her to join the CIA. She closed by encouraging the audience to let go of imposter syndrome and embrace the mission.

Panel: Intent to Impact - Advancing Women's Representation in Leadership Roles

Speakers:

• The Hon. Karen Gibson, Sergeant at Arms, U.S. Senate
• Janice Glover-Jones, Director for Mission Services, DIA
• Jamie Jones Miller, CEO and Regional Dean, Northeastern University Arlington
• Janaki Kates, National Security Consultant and Commentator (moderator)

Ms. Glover-Jones spoke about the implementation of DIA's new DEIA Strategy and how they are utilizing data to be more intentional in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Ms. Gibson then highlighted the need for senior leaders to champion not only competence but also potential in women. Panelists also discussed disrupting the traditional career path, curating mentor and sponsor opportunities, and overcoming challenges and setbacks in your career. Closing out, panelists spoke on training mid-level managers on working with new IC recruits with Ms. Miller stating senior leaders need to share the knowledge they’ve had a lifetime to curate with not only mid-level but also entry-level colleagues.  

Blueprint for Action: Implementing the IC DEIA Maturity Model

Speakers:

• Stephanie La Rue, Chief IC DEIA Officer, ODNI
• Dr. Christopher Nguyen, People and Change Consultant, IC DEIA Office, ODNI
• Bishop Garrison, VP for Policy, INSA (moderator)

The conversation began with Ms. La Rue explaining the motivation behind developing the IC DEIA Maturity Model. She highlighted that in 2022, there was significant enthusiasm for DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) initiatives but a lack of clear guidance on implementation. Dr. Nguyen emphasized that the model integrates all DEIA-related Executive Orders, presidential memoranda, and IC-specific policies. The model focuses on three themes: leadership accountability, individual actions, and organizational strategies, encompassing twelve core dimensions such as equity in leadership, an inclusive workplace, and partnerships. Ms. La Rue stressed the importance of collecting and tracking data over time and debunked the myth that addressing DEIA issues requires a culture shift, emphasizing that for the new generation,"it is a moral imperative to work in a place and space where they feel their views are aligned with that organization."

Fireside Chat with Harry Coker

Speakers:

• The Hon. Harry Coker, National Cyber Director, ONCD
• Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg, President, INSA/INSF

National Cyber Director Harry Coker engaged in a fireside chat with INSA President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. They discussed leadership lessons, strategies to address the nations cyber talent deficit, and collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors.

Director Coker emphasized the importance of building relationships to foster trust within organizations. He stressed the value of transparent leadership, self-awareness, and 'trusting but verifying' when solving complex problems. Director Coker discussed his skills-based hiring initiative, which aims to eliminate college degree requirements for GS-2210 "Information Technology Management Series" positions, advocating for on the job training and certifications as a solution to the the cybersecurity talent shortage. Finally, he concluded that collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors is crucial, as these sectors must work together to develop the nation's cybersecurity skillset.