Smart Women, Smart Power
SWSP is creating space for women in one of the most powerful decision-making spaces in the world: national security and foreign affairs
The Smart Women, Smart Power (SWSP) Initiative has a simple starting point: people are policy. We are committed to creating a platform for respectful and inclusive discussion of the many ways in which women influence and impact the international security, foreign policy and business agendas. The Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative launched in December 2014.
Contact Information
- Alexis Day
- Program Manager, Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative and Outreach Manager, International Security Program
- aday@csis.org
Featured Podcasts

Gender, National Security, and the Capitol
Smart Women, Smart Power sat down with Elizabeth King, Majority Staff Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss her role on the Hill over the years.
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — September 7, 2022

Covering the Fall of Kabul: The View from the Newsroom
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — July 27, 2022

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: An Insider’s View
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — July 13, 2022

Rescuing Heroes: The White Helmets in Syria
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — June 29, 2022
FEATURED EVENTS
All content by Smart Women, Smart Power
Filter by
Online Event: Future Strategy Forum: Covid-19 and Democracy and Governance
Event by Suzanne Spaulding , Beverly Kirk , Ms. Camille Stewart Esq. , Dr. Lainie Rutkow , Dr. Susanna Campbell , and Kathleen H. Hicks — June 5, 2020

Online Event: Future Strategy Forum: Covid-19 and the Military
Event by Beverly Kirk , Ms. MacKenzie Eaglen , Dr. Risa Brooks , Dr. Mara Karlin , Ms. Pam Campos-Palma , Kathleen H. Hicks , and Alice Hunt Friend — June 4, 2020

Online Event: Future Strategy Forum: Covid-19 and Grand Strategy
Event by Beverly Kirk , Dr. Jennifer Bouey , Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper , Dr. Kori Schake , and Kathleen H. Hicks — June 3, 2020

Online Event: Future Strategy Forum: Cooperation and Conflict in the Time of Covid-19
Event by Beverly Kirk , Hon. Michèle Flournoy , and Kathleen H. Hicks — June 2, 2020

Leadership in the 21st Century: A Conversation with Three CIA Deputies
Event by Beverly Kirk , Kathleen H. Hicks , Dawn Meyerriecks , Elizabeth “Betsy” Davis , and Sonya Holt — March 2, 2020

The Future of Commercial Space: A Conversation with Pam Melroy, former NASA Space Shuttle Commander
Event by Nina Easton , Kathleen H. Hicks , Beverly Kirk , and Pam Melroy — January 14, 2020

Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020: Same Challenges Ahead?
Podcast Episode by Beverly Kirk , Sarah Ladislaw , and Stephanie Segal — December 18, 2019

Brave and Bold Heroes: The Kung Fu Nuns Story
Podcast Episode by Beverly Kirk — November 20, 2019

Venture Capital, Social Impact and STEM Ed
Podcast Episode by Beverly Kirk — November 13, 2019

Foreign Aid and International Affairs Spending: A Conversation with Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX)
Event by Nina Easton , Kathleen H. Hicks , and Beverly Kirk — October 22, 2019
