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

The Only Woman on the Abraham Accords Team
On this episode, host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Morgan Ortagus who walked us through her role in the historic Abraham Accords, and more!
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — April 12, 2023

Nerding Out on NATO
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — March 22, 2023

Inflection Points: Denmark's Response to the War in Ukraine
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — March 15, 2023

Uncovering the Uyghur Genocide
Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — February 1, 2023
Featured Events
All content by Smart Women, Smart Power
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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
NatSecGirlSquad Talks Competent Diversity
Podcast Episode by Beverly Kirk — October 9, 2019

Bankruptcy Courts and National Security
Podcast Episode by Beverly Kirk — August 7, 2019

Security and Foreign Policy in Campaign 2020
Podcast Episode by Beverly Kirk and Nina Easton — July 25, 2019

Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality
Event by Beverly Kirk , Johanna Nesseth Tuttle , Zoë Dean-Smith , Amb. Mathilde Mukantabana , and Astri Kimball Van Dyke — July 24, 2019