"Women in Homeland Security" is rapidly adding new members

Soraya Correa & Nancey Peters

As a group of women streamed out of a conference room at the Farragut Center, in Washington, DC, Soraya Correa, the Director of Procurement and Operations for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, found herself deep in conversation with a small group of women. That’s no surprise because the organizer of the event, Women in Homeland Security, had just hosted Correa for one of its monthly luncheons.

Over 65 women -- and a few men -- had attended the luncheon and were part of a group that has grown exponentially since its inception early last year. “We are well over 500 members in the DC area and have a chapter in Florida, as well,” explained founder and president Kristina Tanasichuk, a Vice President at the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council. “I’ve worked in the homeland security field for over seven years and found there was no real avenue for women to network and learn about the intricacies of homeland security -- and so Women in Homeland Security was born!”

The group holds monthly Happy Hours and substantive events hosting guest speakers in the current administration, on the Hill or in the private sector to discuss issues like cyber-security, procurement and acquisition, border security and other topics under the homeland security umbrella.

Correa discussed her rise in procurement, work-life balance and commitment to her values. The group has also hosted Frances Fragos Townsend, the former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; the U.S. Coast Guard’s Ancient Albatross and highest ranking female officer Vice Admiral Vivien Crea (USCG-Ret.). It will host in coming months Jamie Gorelick, former member of the 9-11 Commission and assistant attorney general, and Roxana Bacon, Chief Counsel of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

Lynn Ann Casey, CEO of Arc Aspicio, a homeland security consulting firm is an active member and has sponsored the group’s events. “We had been looking for a group that focused on homeland security for a long time and WHS has been the answer,” she said. “WHS is a great group of people who are passionate about the mission and who are interested in building relationships to further that mission."

WHS encourages expanding horizons through “WHS University” (a section of the group’s Web site and newsletter devoted to important homeland security-related white papers) and its book club, and it supports domestic and international charities. The No Greater Sacrifice Foundation, an organization that provides college funds for the children of disabled veterans, and the Central Asia Institute, a group run by Greg Mortenson (the author of the book, “Three Cups of Tea”) that builds schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan are the groups supported by WHS. 

“Women in Homeland Security is a living organization that capitalizes on the talents and passions of our members,” said Tanasichuk. “We have very active and engaged members who genuinely care about elevating the nation’s readiness and security and are willing to spend their time and effort on doing so.”

“I joined WHS in order to connect with like-minded, professional women in government and homeland security,” explained Kim Nguyen, a contractor to the Department of State. “My membership has allowed me to interact socially and professionally with intelligent, successful women in the DC area, while providing many varied opportunities to expand my network in national security.”

The group has also started a committee on asymetrical warfare, chaired by Alissa Knight, Director at the Asymmetric Warfare and Intelligence Center in San Francisco, that will examine topics such as Women in combat operations in Afghanistan; Mujahida -- Women of the Mujahideen; Women suicide bombers -- Terrorism’s effective weapon; Tools and resources for women in research and intelligence; Training resources for women; and Interviews with women in intelligence.

This isn’t your typical networking group. "I've enjoyed the camaraderie of like-minded professionals in WHS giving me the opportunity to widen my networking horizons as well as fellowshipping with women (and men) who share the same professional and personal interests," said Chief Petty Officer Sarah Foster, of the U.S. Coast Guard’s governmental and public affairs unit. “There’s something for everyone.”

Several companies have sponsored the group’s activities, including Arc Aspicio, ASRC Management Services, DSCI, Inc. and Hassett & Willis.

More information about the group, including how to join, is available on facebook.com and linkedin.com,  and at the group’s own Web site (www.womeninhomelandsecurity.com). Membership is free and so are most of its events.