The Harvard Alumni Association's more than 50 Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) bring together tens of thousands of alumni across the globe around common interests, whether it's a cultural identity, a student activity, a professional field, or something else. Whatever your passion, there's a SIG for you! To help you find your SIG, the HAA presents “What’s Your SIG?”—a series of conversations with members of different SIGs about what these dynamic communities mean to them.
Founded on the idea that gender equality and international peace go hand in hand, Harvard W3D: Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development is dedicated to cultivating a global network of women leaders who work toward these mutually reinforcing goals.
W3D President Courtney Walsh MPP '13—who works for a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that seeks to end human trafficking—explained how the SIG is empowering women like her to make a difference in the defense, diplomacy, and development sectors.
What inspired you to get involved with Harvard W3D?
It was a compelling opportunity to be part of a dynamic group of people who are passionate about working in the defense, diplomacy, and development sectors (commonly known as the 3Ds) and breaking down barriers between them to move toward sustainable peace. These were people I could trust and with whom I could throw spaghetti at the wall. That combination is electric.
Who are your members?
Our members span D.C., Boston, and cities around the world. They come from Harvard College and the graduate Schools as well as many other universities. They're millennials, Gen Yers, Gen Xers, and baby boomers. They're colonels in the Air Force, management consultants, human rights officers, and communications gurus. They're CEOs, mid-level professionals, students, and recent grads. Men play an active role in our group as well and are critical allies for accomplishing our vision.
What do you enjoy most about being part of this community?
I like that W3D focuses on both the micro (the individual) and the macro (the system). Three pillars guide our work: developing leaders, inspiring change, and engaging the world. The ability to attend a public speaking skills workshop, swing high at a flying trapeze community-building event, and carve out a plan for our advisory capacity in the 3Ds, all under the W3D umbrella, is unique.
How has it benefited you personally or professionally?
W3D is my home away from home. I can call someone from the community when I need advice on my career choices or a tough relationship. By virtue of bringing together members across the 3Ds, we naturally think systematically about issues in a non-siloed way—whether it's the role women play in ISIS or the biggest pain points in the anti-trafficking movement. The opportunity to analyze issues in such a cross-disciplinary manner with a trusted group of individuals continues to have a huge impact in my daily life.
Why should alumni consider joining W3D?
We seek to tap the underutilized power of women as influential global leaders for sustainable peace through gender equality. If you're looking to join a community of highly inspirational people, hone your leadership skills, and think innovatively about moving the needle in the 3Ds landscape, please reach out to us.
