Councils

Join A Council!

Council service is open to INSA members in good standing. Simply complete this brief form & our membership team will contact you with next steps. 

Apply to Join! 

Where Expertise Meets Action.

INSA’s policy councils and subcommittees bring together professionals from government, industry, and academia to address the intelligence and national security community’s most pressing challenges. Councils do not just talk about issues; they help shape them.

As a member, councils offer:

  • Opportunities to shape policies that strengthen the IC's effectiveness and efficiency 
  • Thought leadership through white papers, op-eds, podcasts, and panel discussions
  • Collaboration with peers and government partners in trusted, solution-focused forums
  • Access to government and academic leaders who share challenges, priorities, and opportunities for collaboration

Get Involved!

Council service ensures that INSA members play an active part in advancing policy ideas and solutions that support the U.S. intelligence and national security mission.

Thought Leadership

White Papers & Op-Eds

Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg: Mentorship, Mission, and Making an Impact

Mar 19, 2025, 10:48 by Nicole Leung
On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, host Jim Donnelly sits down with INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg for an insightful and candid discussion. Suzanne shares her unconventional journey into the national security community, the lessons she's learned along the way, and her advice on building strong networks and finding great mentors. Plus, she opens up about her deep commitment to shaping and supporting the next generation of intelligence and national security professionals.

Episode 39

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, host Jim Donnelly sits down with INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg for an insightful and candid discussion. Suzanne shares her unconventional journey into the national security community, the lessons she's learned along the way, and her advice on building strong networks and finding great mentors. Plus, she opens up about her deep commitment to shaping and supporting the next generation of intelligence and national security professionals. 

View all the episodes!

Podcasts

Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg: Mentorship, Mission, and Making an Impact

Mar 19, 2025, 10:48 by Nicole Leung
On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, host Jim Donnelly sits down with INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg for an insightful and candid discussion. Suzanne shares her unconventional journey into the national security community, the lessons she's learned along the way, and her advice on building strong networks and finding great mentors. Plus, she opens up about her deep commitment to shaping and supporting the next generation of intelligence and national security professionals.

Episode 39

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, host Jim Donnelly sits down with INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg for an insightful and candid discussion. Suzanne shares her unconventional journey into the national security community, the lessons she's learned along the way, and her advice on building strong networks and finding great mentors. Plus, she opens up about her deep commitment to shaping and supporting the next generation of intelligence and national security professionals. 

View all the episodes!