What do you gain when you are the only male in a room filled with amazing, world-changing women? Perspective.
“It was an honor and a privilege to serve as the staff photographer for the 16th Annual Meeting of the Lipstick Mafia hosted by Kathleen Kiernan, Ed.D,“ shared Neal Byrd, Vice President of Federal Sales for NEC National Security Solutions (NSS).
“Witnessing the networking, conversations, and impactful presentations was more rewarding than can be expressed in words.”
In honor of Women’s History Month, American Security Today’s Editorial Director Tammy Waitt also participated in the 16th Annual Lipstick Mafia 2023 Event on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Ballston Exchange Conference Center in Arlington, Virginia.
Here are a few of many memorable words of insight and wisdom shared by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, Lipstick Mafia Founder and President of NEC NSS, on the inspiration behind Lipstick Mafia. (Courtesy of Lipstick Mafia and LinkedIn)
“What started as an idea to convene leaders to learn from one another has grown over 15-plus years to a mentoring organization, which has built and/or enhanced many careers in the process,” explained Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, Founder of Lipstick Mafia and President of NEC National Security Systems (NSS).
“Our goal was to demystify the DNA of leadership and instill confidence in its pursuit, attainment, and sustainment, and we continue to do exactly that.”
The audience was composed of three tiers of nontraditional female professionals: women who have achieved the top of their storied careers in law enforcement, intelligence, public safety, homeland security, and criminal justice; mid-level career professionals seeking to achieve higher promotion and recognition; and young women at the outset of their professional careers.
All those in attendance were blown away by the Lipstick Mafia’s 2024 thought-provoking speakers: Celinez Nunez, the Former Assistant Director and Chief Security Officer for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Diane Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and the Honorable Jennifer M. Anderson, Associate Judge Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
“I found the Lipstick Mafia event to be impactful in celebrating women and our role in the modern day,” the Honorable Jennifer M. Anderson shared.
“Women are a force to be reckoned with, and programs like this highlight our contributions to making the world a better and safer place.”
“This year, as in all previous years as an attendee and now as a guest speaker, I am astounded at the energy that surrounds the Lipstick Mafia from graduate students to seasoned professionals, each willing to extend that crucial hand to another navigating their career paths,” added Celinez Nunez, the Former Assistant Director and Chief Security Officer for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
“As I end my law enforcement career and step into my next challenge in the private sector, I will bring this same energy and dedication to leadership and echoing my mentor-Dr. Kiernan, I will always pay it forward, concluded Nunez.”
“This is another year celebrating Women’s History Month with the Lipstick Mafia, another opportunity to showcase top women in law enforcement, the defense, and intelligence communities, and a wonderful opportunity to attract and recruit motivated candidates to a career of public service” said Rebecca Schwartz, Director of Development & Operations at Washington DC Police Foundation.
“This annual event brings women from both the public and private sectors together in a global commons environment of collaboration and professional growth, where the true essence of servant leadership is ever-present.”
“A lot to be grateful for, with this amazing network of mentors. #lipstickmafia #womenshistorymonth #publicsafety #mentorshipmatters
“Having women in your corner, knowing they’re there regardless of whether life is at its highs or lows, is an incomparable source of strength,” said Megan Jaffer, the Co-Founder of Iron Butterfly Media, Iron Butterfly Podcast, and Iron Butterfly Foundation.
“Authenticity is the seed of creativity, which is contagious. We believe individuality should be seen, heard, honored, and celebrated. We create spaces where all women can come as they are.”
“Iron Butterfly empowers women and minorities to create an outsized impact in our world, added Megan.”
Megan’s background spans corporate, nonprofit, and government, and she has launched and led several organizations that support national security, including Amazing Women of the IC (AWIC), which focuses on the development of professional women serving the US national security mission, as well as INSA, Noblis NSP, and the GeoData Cooperative.
The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) is the leading nonpartisan, non-profit membership organization dedicated to advancing public-private partnerships to address intelligence and national security priorities.
INSA has more than 160 corporate members and enjoys extensive participation from senior leaders within the public, private, and academic sectors, including current and former high-ranking intelligence, military, and government agency leaders, analysts, and experts from industry and academia.
INSA programs and policy councils offer valuable opportunities to showcase your thought leadership and expand your professional network.
“Kathleen Kiernan, Ed.D, and LipstickMafia – thank you for hosting another excellent event for womenhistorymonth2024!,” added Megan Jaffer.
“The powerhouse panel of women was nothing short of remarkable and inspiring. Already looking forward to next year….if not sooner! 😉”
womenempoweringwomen leadership governmentservice grateful
Letitia Long Elise Yanker Hasenei Cameo Lance 🦋
“Knowing you failed in some capacity as a female executive can be daunting, especially in a law enforcement role,” shared Diane Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“However, when we fail forward, we not only learn at that moment, but we show the younger generation of hopeful female leaders that it’s okay to take risks; even when things go in an unplanned direction, ultimately, we have the power to decide if we let that overtake our confidence or if we leverage the lesson that we learned and turn it into something rewarding.”
“It can’t be overstated enough that women helping women has a profound impact in the workplace,” explains Kimberly Weissman, DHS U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Senior Communication Advisor.
“Whether through mentoring or collaborating on a team effort, knowing you have the support of your female colleagues as you face similar challenges and ascend to the highest levels is a powerful motivator; it encourages you to share your best ideas, and it allows you to receive constructive criticism in a positive way as you grow together throughout your career.”
“In the month we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I could not be more grateful for the team of amazing women who drive success in NEC and NEC NSS every single day who were also in attendance,” added Neal Byrd.
On March 1, NEC started a posting relay on the official NEC Corporation LinkedIn accounts centered on “What NEC can do to inspire inclusion.”
“We are pleased that the baton in this relay has now been returned to us from NEC National Security Systems as we join together with other official NEC Group social media accounts around the world to celebrate International Women’s Day.” 💛🤝💛
In addition to the opportunity to network and hear from the fascinating speakers, refreshments were served, and door prize raffle winners received autographed copies of “The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA” by Liza Mundy, an award-winning journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of CODE GIRLS.
One lucky winner also took home a specially designed branded Lipstick Mafia watch.
UPDATE: AST is pleased to announce that Lionsgate Television has just optioned “The Sisterhood” to develop as a scripted series, with Tony winner Scott Delman in executive production.
Lionsgate (which operates the world’s most prominent independent motion picture company), under the Lionsgate Television Group, is a leading 3rd-Party Supplier of Premium Programming.
Congratulations to Liza Mundy and Lionsgate!
Lipstick Mafia Honored in 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards, the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, now entering its Ninth Year, recognizes industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
Lipstick Mafia
Excellence in Public Safety & Community Resilience
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Over a decade ago, a group of women from across the intelligence, law enforcement, and defense communities decided to formalize long-standing friendships which transcended typically closed communities to share their experience and mentor the next generation of leaders. They adopted the name ‘Lipstick Mafia,’ first for fun, and then as an identity.
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Slowed for formal gatherings by COVID, Lipstick Mafia reconvened on March 17th, 2022 sponsored by NEC National Security Systems (NSS), “wearing a bit of green for St Patrick’s Day, and celebrating Women’s History Month,” explained Lipstick Mafia founder and President of NEC NSS, Dr. Kathleen Kiernan.
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“In keeping with tradition, the event hosted two senior experienced leaders, Deputy Assistant Secretary Annette Redmond for Intelligence Policy and Coordination at the U.S. Department of State and LTG (Ret) Karen Gibson, the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper at the U.S. Senate.”
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The group’s mission, according to Dr. Kiernan, is “to share from experienced leaders, where the stones (or steps) are, for navigating life, careers, and opportunities to help cultivate and guide the next generation of leaders.”
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2024 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | COVID Innovations |
| Workforce Management | Government Security Programs | And Many Others to Choose From! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency, or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher, at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.
These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.
Enter American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields, with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more who visit our AST website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.
The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony Luncheon Banquet, an exclusive, full-course plated meal event in the heart of New York City.
The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Government Excellence Awards Program will highlight the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2024.
So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2024 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2024 in New York City!
In 2023, this exclusive sold-out event featured at ISC East, well over two hundred representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines – and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for future generations.
Comprehensive collaborations between these private and public sectors have led to the development of innovative intelligence and technologies that serve to protect our Nation.
Steven Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives, delivered the keynote address at the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security and Excellence in Public Safety Awards Ceremony and Banquet Luncheon.
Director Dettelbach spoke with passion on the epidemic of Gun Violence by Illegal Guns taking place across the United States, which results in over 125 deaths daily and impacting generations of families – leaving open chairs at holiday events.
Firearm injuries were the leading case of death for children for the third year in a row, he explained, and have doubled in the U.S. since 2021, levels that are simply intolerable.
Director Dettelbach lauded the strong partnerships with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Policing that ATF has earned and relies upon to reduce violence and spoke with admiration as a former prosecutor on the selfless sense of mission and drive that is universal across the entire First Responder Community.
The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
The ‘ASTORS’ was specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit, and intelligence to end-users in a variety of government, homeland security, enterprise, and public safety vertical markets.
(See a few highlights during the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security and Government Excellence Awards Ceremony and Banquet Luncheon in NYC during ISC East on November 16, 2023. Courtesy of AST, My Pristine Images, and Vimeo.)
The 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by Platinum Event Sponsor: NEC National Security Systems (NSS)
And Our RETURNING Premier Sponsors:
ATI Systems, Automatic Systems of America,
Guard Dog AI, IPVideo Corporation, Rajant Corporation, RX Global, SIMS Software, and American Security Today!
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace and brings forward a fresh, compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorials that provide solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.
AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches Private and public Experts, which is essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from the Government at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as from private firms allied to the government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants and Dams, Bridges and Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting and Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools and Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Be On the LookOut for the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2023 ‘A Year in Review.’
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition reviews ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.
It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2023 Products and Services’ endorsed by American Security Today and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have WHAT YOU NEED to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders and recognized firms in the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2024 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
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“It was a pleasure to celebrate International Women’s Day among colleagues and special guests at NEC Corporation headquarters last week,” posted Takayuki Morita, President and CEO of NEC Corporation.
“As we hosted events and activities to highlight the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, including NEC Women’s Day 2024, I was reminded again of the value that openness and diversity bring to business and society, and I am proud of the traditions we are establishing at NEC to ensure that everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.”