Somalian SSR - talks about SSR as a diaspora & woman (4/4)

On how to value diversity in defence businesses

During UDT 2025 I sat down with Cathrine Largerberg, co-founder of the Crown Defenze corporate security company, to discuss how she moved from working in the oil & gas sector, to the military and then to building a successful women-led business in a male-dominated industry. The secret? Complementarity!

On how to increase inclusivity in the Alaskan National Guards

In this episode, Captain Laurel Foster, Executive Officer (XO) to the Director, NGB Comptroller, in the National Guard Bureau Joint Staff, tells us about being a native Alaskan (Cu'pik) and a member of the National Guards in Alaska. She explains how joining the military gave her a new sense of belonging and purpose after growing up between rural and urban Alaska as a half Cup'ik and half white. And we talk about how this complex heritage has become her strength, advocating for more inclusivity in the National Guards - and Alaskan society at large.

Women Peace & Security: The Case of Alaska

In this episode I speak to Veronica Clark, Women, Peace and Security Focal Point at the US Air Force base in Alaska, about her research into security issues affecting women in Alaska and how this, in turn, could potentially impact stability. We also talk about her work in and with the USAF, and what emotionally intelligent leadership might look like.

On how the Women Peace and Security agenda fits into NATO

In July 2024, during a NATO summit in Washington DC, Allies endorsed a new NATO policy on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative on WPS, kindly agreed to talk to the D-Fence podcast about the WPS agenda, its principles and goals, what this means in practice for women in NATO and for peace and security in general.

Somalian SSR - talks about SSR as a diaspora & woman (4/4)

In this last episode of a four part series conversation, Gen. Zaki talks about the difficulties of effecting change in the Somalian security sector as a woman and as a member of the diaspora.