A Conversation with Asha Castleberry-Hernandez, Founder- Diversity in National Security Network

Asha Castleberry-Hernandez is a distinguished national security/foreign policy expert. She is a Biden-Harris Political Appointee, and served as a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, member of the Senior Executive Service at the Department of State. She is a former adjunct faculty professor at Fordham University, where she has taught U.S. Foreign Policy and U.N. Peacekeeping Operations. She is also a U.S. Army veteran, and since the 2014 ISIL incursion in Iraq, she has served as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Kuwait.In addition to her military service, she has channeled her passion into effecting meaningful transformation through her establishment of the nonprofit - The Diversity in National Security Network. This organization strives to enhance and magnify the invaluable contributions made by individuals of diverse backgrounds within the sphere of National Security.Asha Castleberry-Hernandez joins us today to talk about her experiences working on China’s influence in the Middle East, and the most surprising aspects of working in the executive branch outside of the military.We also discuss the importance of studying abroad, the geopolitical environment, food security issues, the importance of agribusiness in Africa, why it’s important to have diversity in national security, how diversity is a national security issue, and the importance of having more women of color serving in leadership positions. This episode was taped on July 31, 2023 and includes comments about Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Just prior to our episode release news reports emerged that Prigozhin is presumed dead along with other senior members of the mercenary group when his plane crashed in western Russia.

To find out more about Asha Castleberry-Hernandez andDiversity in National Security Network see:  
LinkedIn : asha-castleberry-hernandez
X(Twitter) : @ashacastleberry
Email : asha.castleberry@gmail.com
Website : www.dinsn.com