Where Women at NTI Build a Safer World

From crane-adorned desks to shelves brimming with inspiration, the women of NTI have created spaces as dynamic as their work.

In honor of Women’s History Month, I spoke with some of the many women across NTI about how their environment inspires their work. This photo essay highlights how four of them have made their spaces their own—and how those spaces shape their contributions to a field historically dominated by men.

Keirstin Anderson, Operations Assistant

Anderson’s face is the first you see when you walk into the NTI office. Positioned in a place people naturally pass by throughout the day, she enjoys how it allows her to interact with colleagues across different teams. “I get the opportunity to talk to everyone,” she says. “I don’t know if a lot of other people get that much interaction.”

One of the most meaningful items in her workspace is a small origami crane. “I was hired in August of 2022, right when the Cranes For Our Future campaign was happening,” she explained. “That was the first time I got to meet everyone, and it was such a welcoming environment. The campaign was such an inspiring moment, and it made me feel like I was part of something bigger.”

Joining NTI without knowing much about nuclear security, Anderson’s advice for other women is, “Be curious, ask questions. I’ve learned so much just by talking to people. Even if you’re not on a program team, you can absorb so much knowledge if you take the time to ask and listen.”

Elise Rowan, Deputy Vice President, Communications

Rowan’s NTI environment is a mix of humor, art and inspiration. Funny memes, colorful paper cranes, and a Taylor Swift poster brighten her workspace, with each representing a part of the passion she brings to her work every day.

“Nuclear risks affect all of us,” she said. “The work I do—finding ways to get people to care, to understand those risks—feels deeply meaningful.”

One of the most significant items in her office is a Disarm the Patriarchy poster she found at The Outrage, a now-closed activist shop in Washington, D.C. “It was on the wall, and I picked it off and paid five dollars for it,” she recalled.

“The system we have with nuclear weapons was designed by men seeking power, and it’s our responsibility to address that and build something better. We can do better,” she urged.

When asked about how her experiences and workspace at NTI inspires advice for other women she explained, “Be unapologetically yourself and find your niche. I spent years trying to fit into a mold, making myself overly serious and hiding parts of my personality. But now, I lean into what makes me unique. And I’m much happier for it.”

Patricia Jaworek, Director, Global Nuclear Policy Program

“To me, nuclear weapons hold peace hostage,” Jaworek said. “They don’t just pose catastrophic risks—they also drain resources from urgent global issues like climate change and social justice. And they create barriers between countries when we need collaboration the most.”

A piece of artwork from Artists Against the Bomb, which portrays a dove inside a nuclear bomb-shaped birdcage serves as Jaworek’s reminder towards her efforts at NTI.

After a previous attempt at bringing life into her space with a plant that didn’t last, Patricia feels hopeful that this one will be different. “It’s nice to have something living in here,” she says, reflecting on how the plant’s steady growth mirrors her own journey at NTI.

“What I love about working at NTI is that we do meaningful work. And we have a collaborative culture where we build on each other’s ideas, rather than working in silos.”

Her advice to women in this field is to “Claim your space, build connections, and support each other.”

Logan Mintz, Director, Nuclear Materials Security

With a playful nod to her minimalist approach, Mintz laughs that she’s probably not the ideal person to ask about meaningful objects, but she believes her spartan workspace is essential for focusing on big ideas and vital work at NTI.

Mintz has only recently joined NTI, starting in February 2025, as NTI moved into a new office and she has quickly grown fond of her new environment. “It’s kind of neat because I’m starting in a brand-new space, and everyone else is new to it too,” she noted. “It’s not just me who’s adjusting.”

Her advice to other women working in the nuclear policy field is grounded in the idea of confidence. “Quiet confidence is what I think about when working with colleagues. It’s not about shouting your opinions or being intransigent. In my experience, that doesn’t work. You don’t need to be the loudest voice,” she said. “Just be confident, kind, and competent.”

Whether decked with colorful decorations or strictly minimalistic, each woman’s space at NTI symbolizes their distinct voice and motivations to build a safer world.