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For most officers entering on duty at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 2025 and beyond, they may know little to nothing of the challenges endured by female officers to get to this point in the evolution of the CIA, as it hasn't generally been a significant focus in media or discussion. Enter Hillsberg's "Agents of Change" as a history lesson to honor and preserve this critical element of CIA's history and its changemakers.

The author begins by sharing the stories of several female pioneers in the early days of the CIA and moves throughout history to the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks, how they redirected and reshaped CIA's focus, and into the modern day to and beyond the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Hillsberg's choice to organize their stories in decades makes it easy to follow even as she travels through time with some of the real-life heroine we encounter in the book. Weaving the lives of some officers across decades draws the reader's investment into what happens to each of them.

Even in the 2000s, as a young, motivated officer chasing opportunities and success, I didn't pause to think about the first women to embark upon our unique career path. While progress has continued over the decades, we risk forgetting the many courageous, determined women who paved the way for those of us who came behind, regardless of gender. Today's newer officers would benefit from this quick read that provides a foundation of knowledge, a reminder to treat each other with respect, and reasons to celebrate how far we've come, no matter how slow the journey - and most importantly, to recognize those who stayed the course.

For retired and former officers, much of the book will feel like a walk down memory lane.

Most of us, regardless of gender, never envisioned becoming Director of the CIA (DCIA). Yet, I remember exactly where I was when I learned Gina Haspel had been sworn in as DCIA. In that moment, the power of possibility was instantly replaced by the reality of what was. One of us. One of our own. Hillsberg describes that momentous occasion and highlights the many female senior officers of that time including Director of the Directorate of Operations (DDO) Elizabeth Kimber, as we continued to see more senior female officers ascend in the ranks.

Hillsberg paints a broad spectrum of challenges faced by women in the CIA, from a perceived lack of capability to family versus career choices. She admittedly spent more time listening to stories of sexual harassment and assault than she expected. This became integral to the book as the resultant push for accountability has been instrumental in creating policy change. The author describes the courage it took for the officers to tell their stories then and now, often seeing accountability come several years later.

Hillsberg's acknowledgement of the inconsistent support between female officers validates the holistic and objective approach the author took in sharing real stories. Not only have women maneuvered through a patriarchal organization, but also confronted some fellow female officers who took a cutthroat approach to other women fighting for limited head room. Hillsberg, too, credits male and female officers who encouraged, sponsored, and supported female officers, for which I'm personally grateful.

Having served from 1999 into the 2020s, my career began 40 years after the stories in he book began. I learned a lot from Hillsberg's chronicle of change, challenge, an evolution. At some point during my career, as I got a little older, it occurred to me that I was able to capitalize on many opportunities because I stood on the shoulders of the giants that came before. I didn't know the depth of their stories, but now, I do. And generations of female and male CIA officers will too.

Holly Stofa is a senior intelligence advisor and executive and mental performance coach. She spent 24 years at CIA, beginning as a cartographer before becoming a case officer. Holly grew up in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and marvels at her world traveling dream career. She was named Operations Officer of the Year for her division and later served as a leadership coach. Holly is the author of Pineapple Promise: A Thailand Adoption Memoir and writes a biweekly Linkedin newsletter called (Sp)identity™. She serves as an Advisory Board Member at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business for the Master's in Management program and is entering her 19th season as a high school field hockey coach. Holly helps leaders develop greater self-connection so they can show up for others and find greater joy in all areas of life.