Smart Women, Smart Power

In 2020, Laura Modi launched Bobbie, the first U.S.-based manufactured organic formula company. Laura joins Dr. Kathleen McInnis and Lauren Bedula, the Managing Director at Beacon Global Strategies, for a discussion on how her company was defined during a national infant formula shortage, including what she learned about the infant formula industry, and how symbolic it is to everything broken in our society for parents.

We’re entering a new era of warfare – where disinformation, countering disinformation, and hybrid threats are at the forefront – threats that the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) is not taking lightly. Marie-Doha Besancenot, Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO, joins to discuss the different ways NATO is prioritizing this space.

Why should the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) care about gender? What are women, and women’s networks, doing to advance democracy – and how should a military alliance think about the strategic utility of programs like Women, Peace and Security? And what does this mean for the NATO Summit?   Irene Fellin, the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, joins Dr. Kathleen McInnis, Senior Fellow, International Security Program and Director, Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative, to discuss what’s on her mind as NATO celebrates its 75th year and heads into the Washington Summit.

Michele Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, UNICEF USA, has prioritized the value of giving more decision-making power to those closest to the communities impacted while at UNICEF USA. On this episode, Michele joins Dr. Kathleen McInnis, Senior Fellow, International Security Program and Director, Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative, for a discussion on how she led after Russia invaded Ukraine, including the barriers UNICEF USA anticipated from stakeholders, and the values that drove the decision in the face of challenges and the outcomes.

On this episode, Heather Higginbottom, Head of Research Policy & Insights for Corporate Responsibility at JPMorgan Chase, joined Dr. Kathleen McInnis to discuss how she has anchored her work in humanizing the process behind refugee resettlement – from implementing special immigrant visas for Afghans while working at the U.S. Department of State to working with the Australian government resettling refugees on the islands of Naura and Manus. Heather has held senior positions at the highest levels of government, CARE USA, and now at JP Morgan Chase. This episode is made possible through general support to Smart Women, Smart Power.   https://www.csis.org/events/humanizing-refugee-resettlement

In her aptly named scientific study, “As Good as A Coin Toss,” Horizon Fellow Di Cooke joins Dr. Kathleen McInnis to walk through the murky world of deepfakes and the countermeasures that should be prioritized to mitigate the dangers posed by weaponized synthetic media.

What does it actually mean when we say, “democracy is on the line?” Nisha Anand, the CEO of Dream.org, would know – she was arrested for passing out pro-democracy leaflets in Myanmar in 1998. To help us unpack the state of democracy today, and what we can learn from Myanmar and other places, Nisha discusses her path from her 1998 arrest to seeking more bi-partisanship today.

Admiral Franchetti sits down with Dr. Kathleen McInnis, Director of the Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative, for a discussion on the U.S. Navy’s priorities as they operate far forward, around the world and around the clock, from seabed to space, in cyberspace, and in the information environment to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression, and provide options to our nation’s leaders. Additionally, the pair will discuss Admiral Franchetti’s approach to mentorship, recruitment, and retention within the force. Admiral Franchetti assumed the duties as 33rd Chief of Naval Operations on November 2, 2023, becoming the first woman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to this, Admiral Franchetti served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Throughout her time in the service, she has led across the globe – including in Korea, Europe, and Africa. At sea, she has served on numerous vessels including carriers, destroyers, destroyer tenders, replenishment ships, and a hospital ship. Notably, she commanded USS Ross (DDG-55); led Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21) while embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74); and the USS George Washington (CVN-73) Carrier Strike Group.    Ashore, Franchetti’s highlights as a flag officer include commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea; commander, Carrier Strike Group 15; chief of staff, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) Joint Staff; commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa; and director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5), Joint Staff.

In 2014, the United Kingdom almost came undone. Advocates for Scottish independence were finally granted a referendum, and the future of Scotland’s political arrangements was in the hands of the Scottish people. On this episode of Smart Women, Smart Power, Dame Louise Richardson, the president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, discusses freedom of speech, political pressure, leadership in academia, and the challenges of navigating complex debates and crises with host Dr. Kathleen McInnis.

Nuclear strategy remains a priority for the United States. In this episode, host Dr. Kathleen McInnis speaks with CSIS Senior Adviser (Non-resident) to the Project on Nuclear Issues and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy, Elaine Bunn. Elaine's experience and perspective shed light on the complexities involved in nuclear policy and defense strategy.