March 8, 2018
CNS Deputy Director Elena Sokova
In honor of International Women’s Day 2018, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation is proud to celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of our many women leaders, researchers, and staff in Monterey, DC, and Vienna. We featured each of these extraordinary professionals in a series of tweets on March 8, 2018, using the hashtag #IWD2018.
Melissa Hanham
First, meet Senior Research Associate Melissa Hanham, who specializes in using new techniques in open-source geospatial analysis, 3D modeling, and GIS mapping, particularly in relation to North Korea and East Asia.
Laura Rockwood
Our next #IWD2018 celebration focuses on VCDNP chief Laura Rockwood, a former senior official at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), specializing in legal affairs, safeguards, verification, and more.
Edith Bursac
#IWD2018 is a great opportunity to celebrate Women Who Make Things Happen. And very little happens at CNS without Edith Bursac, assistant director of international management and operations.
Jessica Varnum
At the hub of the prolific partnership between NTI and CNS is Jessica Varnum, MIIS adjunct professor, project manager, senior research associate, Turkey/NATO expert, former Capitol Hill staffer, #IWD2018 heroine, and more.
Masako Toki
When the news gets you down, interview Project Manager Masako Toki, whose tales from the frontlines of nonproliferation education with young people around the world will recharge your hope for the future. #IWD2018
Andrea Berger
We challenge you to find somebody with more knowledge on North Korea sanctions, proliferation finance, and export controls than Senior Research Associate Andrea Berger. Go on. We’ll wait. #IWD2018
Rhianna Kreger
Nobody likes a pedant, except when she’s the editor specializing in international security and multilateral diplomacy making all your WMD nonproliferation and disarmament communications perfect. This #IWD2018, meet Managing Editor Rhianna Tyson Kreger.
Chen Kane
Dr. Chen Kane is director of the #MiddleEast Nonproliferation program, coordinator of the Middle East Network of Arms Control Specialists, former senior official of the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission, nuclear energy expert, National Defense University adjunct professor and more. #IWD2018
Angela Kane
Proud and honored that, after serving as UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs—topping off a lengthy and prestigious UN career—Angela Kane joined the VCDNP team as a senior fellow, bringing her strategy, vision, and thought leadership in the field of negotiations, diplomacy, multilateralism, and disarmament. #IWD2018
Catherine Dill
Senior Research Associate Catherine Dill is one of our top China nuclear/missile experts, geospatial analysts, and illicit procurement network specialists. Former Booz Allen Hamilton consultant, Dill is a part of our DC team: #IWD2018
Anne Marie Steiger
Who says girls can’t code? Not Web Specialist Anne-Marie Steiger, who builds, maintains, and updates the CNS and NTI sites and makes interactive maps, including a showcased winner in Google’s Geo4Good contest.
Mara Pfneisl
Although she’s based at VCDNP, Office and Events Manager Mara Pfneisl is very Middlebury-ish: with a Master’s of Advanced International Studies, CTBTO experience, and *four* languages under her belt. #IWD2018
Elena Sokova
Our #IWD2018 celebration would hardly be complete without a venerating tribute to our second-in-command, Deputy Director Elena Sokova, the multi-multitasking manager par excellence, who is also an expert on fissile materials, Eurasia, nuclear trafficking, nuclear security, and nonproliferation education.
Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova
If you’ve got questions about disarmament diplomacy or the machinations of the UN, IAEA, CTBTO or other international organizations, International Organizations Program Director Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova has the expert insight, razor-sharp analysis you seek. #IWD2018
Margarita Kalinina-Pohl (née Sevcik)
Senior Program Manager Margarita Kalinina-Pohl (née Sevcik) is responsible for the Visiting Fellows Program, a true gem at MIIS to train junior and midcareer professionals in legal/political/regional/technical aspects of WMD nonproliferation. MKP is also an expert in radiological security and Eurasia. #IWD2018
Sarah Bidgood
Fluent in Russian with two Masters under her belt, Sarah Bidgood is a rising star in the nonproliferation field, co-establishing the CTBTO Youth Group, writing for Teen Vogue, interning at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, and passionate about US-Russia nonproliferation cooperation. https://nonproliferation.org/experts/sarah-bidgood/ #IWD2018
As we close our our #IWD2018 tribute, we pay a specially grateful nod to Senior Administrative Assistant Jill Buntenbach, the one we call at CNS for, well, basically anything. Jill has the info, know-how, patience, and tenacity to Get It Done, simply oozing with competence and collegiality.
