Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy

Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy (GCNP) was a leadership network in nuclear policy committed to breaking down gender barriers and making gender equity a working reality. Created in 2018 by NTI’s Laura Holgate and Ploughshares Fund’s Michelle Dover, GCNP asked leaders of organizations whose mission includes nuclear policy to become “Gender Champions.”

All Gender Champions signed the Panel Parity Pledge, a commitment to avoid appearing on single-gender panels. Gender Champions also annually developed and implemented three commitments using the “SMARTIE” framework: Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable. “SMARTIE” commitments were uniquely to define and track an organization’s strategic efforts to develop an equitable and inclusive work environment. SMARTIE commitments included pledges to compensate interns, develop parental leave policies, establish professional mentorship programs, and adopt best practices in recruitment and staff retention. To promote accountability and development of internal strategic planning processes, Gender Champions submitted annual progress reports on the status of their efforts to implement SMARTIE commitments. NTI facilitated connections between individuals and organizations within the leadership network to exchange best practices, lessons learned, and resources and reported on annual progress made by the network at large.

Gender Champions were expected to adhere to GCNP’s values, including:

• Treating every person with respect and fairness
• Actively including, investing in, and valuing diverse and emergent perspectives
• Creating and maintaining safe, inclusive workplaces free from harassment and discrimination
• Promoting women leaders inside and outside our organizations
• Working together with other Champions in a spirit of openness, honesty and transparency.