This appointment is testament to the enduring influence of John Brennan at today’s CIA. To the distress of some traditional officers, Brennan insisted on diversity as a fundamental institutional value for an intelligence agency. The appointment of Gina Haspel and now Beth Kimber are part of his legacy.

The CIA workforce is now nearly 50 percent women. Under John Brennan, who served as President Obama’s CIA Director, women held five of the top eight positions in the agency, led by Avril Haines, Brennan’s deputy.

Source: Beth Kimber becomes first woman to run the CIA’s clandestine operations