About Us

The Iron Butterfly Foundation logo

Iron Butterfly Foundation
offers education, creates communities, & provides resources for women founders, leaders, and creators.

Our Story

Iron Butterfly Foundation began as a companion to organizations supporting women in the U.S. Intelligence Community, as recognition of the crucial, demanding, and often overlooked work of women public servants.

We are rooted in a simple but powerful belief: all women are creators. And when you invest in her, the effects ripple outward into her community, her colleagues, the people she leads and mentors and inspires. Iron Butterfly Foundation exists to start this Butterfly Effect, one creative pursuit at a time.

Our Events…

… convene communities of women to reimagine power together. They provide:

  • Intimate, trust-driven spaces to share lived experience, activate leaders across communities, and shape public narratives through strategic storytelling

  • Curated salons and gatherings that move beyond conversation into collective reflection, empowerment, and tangible pathways for impact

  • Cross-generational dialogue that connects emerging professionals with seasoned leaders

Our Ecosystem…

… connects women across industries to form a living network of influence, support, and momentum. It provides:

  • A cross-sector community of leaders who hold influence across government, business, media, culture, and public life

  • Access to mentors, collaborators, and partners who are actively shaping institutions and narratives

  • A platform for women to not only belong, but to reshape the systems they lead

Our Resources…

… fuel the stories, ideas, and initiatives that expand models of power. They:

  • Fund and develop educational media and strategic storytelling that amplifies the voices of women across industries

  • Support narrative-driven work that reframes power as ethical, shared, and inclusive, especially in public service and civic leadership

  • Leverage our 501(c)(3) status to mobilize philanthropic support toward projects with lasting cultural and social impact

Our Foundation Team

  • The foundation chairwoman.

    Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg

    Chairwoman of the Board

    Suzanne is President of INSA (501c6) and the INSA Foundation (501c3), a leading national security industry association. As president, Suzanne oversees INSA’s finances, strategic planning, policy, programming, marketing, events, and corporate partnerships. Prior to INSA, she served as Vice President of Marketing for Ripple Communications, a woman-owned strategic communications firm.

  • A foundation co-founder.

    Cadie Hopkins

    Co-Founder

    Cadie Hopkins is a writer, producer, director, and creative mind with a passion for bridging the gap between imagined and real. As the Co-Founder of Iron Butterfly Media and Co-Host of the Iron Butterfly Podcast, she has produced and directed unscripted podcasts, documentaries, and also has founded and led multiple organizations committed to the growth, mentorship, and empowerment of women. She previously served as an intelligence analyst at Defense Intelligence Agency and in the venture technology sector.

  • A foundation co-founder.

    Megan Jaffer

    Co-Founder of Iron Butterfly Media

    Megan leads with heart and power, creating spaces where people feel seen and brave. Her path spans industry and nonprofits and includes years supporting the intelligence community, always in service of honest, human storytelling. Her superpower is radical listening, steady empathy, and fearless creation. She champions women of every age and stage, inviting them to claim voice, take risks, and lead with love.

  • A foundation board member.

    Tasha Jones

    Advisory Committee

    Tasha Jones is a strategic leader and Partner at Espire Collective, a modern consulting ecosystem that supports independent experts and boutique services firms with the infrastructure and collaboration needed to deliver aligned, high-impact solutions for public and private sector organizations. She focuses on advancing mission-driven work through digital transformation, operational strategy, and inclusive innovation. Tasha also serves as a fractional COO and operations specialist, partnering with organizations to drive execution, scale operations, and build durable, high-performing systems.

  • A foundation board member.

    Kristin Struttmann

    Advisory Committee

    Kristin is a growth consultant specializing in direct and channel sales advisory and early-career development for women. With decades of experience in technology, she has successfully aligned the go-to-market strategies of two global brands, driving multi-billion-dollar results. She thrives on untangling complex organizations to accelerate time to revenue and never turns down an opportunity to speak to a crowd. Kristin is also proud to have co-founded women-focused groups at two companies, creating foundations for organizations that continue to thrive today. Outside of her consulting work, Kristin serves as the National President of Teen Volunteers in Action, a San Diego–based nonprofit that connects boys in grades 7–12 with philanthropic organizations across the community.

  • A foundation board member.

    Gwen Young

    Advisory Committee

    Gwen K. Young is CEO of the Women Business Collaborative, driving systemic change to advance women in business globally. With a career spanning humanitarian response, international development, and human rights, she has led initiatives across major global institutions and partnerships.