ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) closed out the inaugural Security LeadHER conference by celebrating a successful and groundbreaking first event held June 12-13 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
2023 Security LeadHER
The event was dedicated to advancing, connecting, and empowering women in the security profession.
Approximately 300 current and future “LeadHERs” and attendees of all backgrounds and genders gathered for Security LeadHER 2023. The 2023 Security LeadHER programme kicked off on June 12 with a variety of fun and engaging activities, including a behind-the-scenes security tour of Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium, a tour of the National Museum of African American Music, and a women’s self-defense class, and wrapped up with a lively networking reception at Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ.
Keynote address
VanCort shared her journey from childhood kidnappings to a near-fatal head injury to becoming a bestselling author
On June 13, the Security LeadHER conference programming began with a motivating keynote from the author, renowned speaker, and sought-after consultant Eliza VanCort on how to “Claim Your Success – Stand Tall, Raise Your Voice and Be Heard.”
In this dynamic presentation, VanCort shared her journey from childhood kidnappings to a near-fatal head injury to becoming a No. 1 bestselling author, addressed some of today’s most important women’s leadership issues, and offer participants valuable communication and presentation guidance and concrete skills to achieve their goals professionally and in every aspect of their lives.
Leadership and Security & Innovation
Additional programming focused on two tracks; Leadership and Security & Innovation featuring presentations from industry-leading subject matter experts.
Track sessions gave actionable guidance on topics such as confidently saying no and setting boundaries, addressing virtual threats and harassment, mitigating unconscious biases against women in security, anonymising digital footprint, protecting data in the cloud, and leading by influence and the science of sex and its impact on the industry.
Closing address
Attendees enjoyed the keynote address exploring the meaning of owning the legacy through work
The conference closed with a moving keynote from diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, spoken word artist, emcee, and poetry specialist Charity Blackwell.
Attendees enjoyed the immersive spoken word performance and keynote address exploring the meaning of owning the legacy through work.
Successful wrap
“The inaugural Security LeadHER event is a wrap, and what a success it was! My mind is full of new ideas, my LinkedIn account is full of new connections and my heart is full of gratitude for all the hard work done by the SIA and ASIS communities to make this event something to remember,” said Elaine Palome, Director of Human Resources, Americas at Axis Communications and Event Co-Chair for Security LeadHER.
Elaine Palome adds, “It was so inspiring to see more than 300 women and their allies gathered together to share stories, ideas, and knowledge. We are already thinking about next year’s event and hope you will join us.”
Insightful education sessions
Eliza’s insights on communication were incredibly helpful, and I walked away with many new communication tools"
“Our inaugural Security LeadHER event was a smashing success. The energy in the room was palpable,” said Antoinette King, Founder of Credo Cyber Consulting LLC and Event Co-Chair for Security LeadHER.
Antoinette King adds, “Our opening keynote was delivered by Eliza VanCort. Eliza’s insights on communication were incredibly helpful, and I walked away with many new communication tools. The education sessions were super insightful. Our closing keynote, Charity Blackwell, was simply masterful. I left the conference with so much excitement for the future of our industry!”
Sponsors
Security LeadHER 2023 was made possible in part thanks to the generous support of Featured Sponsor Apple; Premier Sponsors dormakaba, Intel, and Wesco; Executive Sponsors Axis Communications and Securitas.
Partner Sponsors included Allegion, Altronix, Boon Edam, Brivo, GSA Schedules, Inc., IDEMIA, Prosegur, and SAGE Integration.