The Women in Security forum is a staple of the Midwest Business Area. It is designed to inspire practitioners to be positive catalysts for shaping the future of the security industry.
Over the past few weeks, the Midwest Business area hosted its Women in Security Forum at its Axis Experience Centers (AEC) in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. The goal of the events is to bring together women from across the security industry to discuss how to overcome challenges, get more involved, and grow their networks.
The forums kicked off in Minneapolis on March 31st at an event hosted in partnership with ASIS International Minneapolis. The 41 attendees heard from Angela Conley, Senior Customer Success Manager, OpenEye, who delivered a powerful message on rethinking the habit of saying “sorry” in the workplace. Roundtable leaders, Deborah Briggs (Polaris Industries), Jill Bartyzal (Pro-Tec Design), Shannon Symalla (Convergint), and Christa Dahl (ADI Global Distribution), helped spark thoughtful and engaging discussions.
Next, Milwaukee hosted its event on April 15th at the brand-new AEC, welcoming 32 attendees. Nikki Nemarich, Americas Director of Marketing, led the keynote, sharing insights on navigating career growth and knowing when to pivot. Then, panelists Vicki Crnkovich (Ace Hardware), Emily Plenge (Kwik Trip), and Lora Wilson (Genetec) shared honest perspectives on their career paths and experiences in the industry.
The series of events wrapped up in Chicago with 45 attendees, where Nemarich returned as keynote and continued the conversation around career growth. Panelists Morgan Edgerton (Wesco), Dana Wright (Brookfield Properties), and Christina Siegert (Axis Communications) brought valuable insight into the many different paths a career in security can take.
This year’s events introduced roundtable discussions across all three events, providing attendees the opportunity to break into smaller groups for more meaningful conversations. it was a simple addition that made a big impact, sparking engagement and helping to carry momentum into the main program.
Across every city, the panels reinforced an important message: there’s no single path into security, and every journey looks different.
