When I boarded my flight to Minneapolis for the Security LeadHER Conference, I knew I would be stepping outside of my comfort zone.
It was my first time in Minneapolis, my first time attending this conference, and my first time speaking at a professional event.
As someone who spends much of my time focused on physical protection operations, client support, and security consulting efforts, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found over those next two days was far more than another industry conference. I found a community that challenged me to think differently about leadership, relationships, and the responsibility we have to create opportunities for others.
A Different Kind of Security Conference
Hosted annually by Security Industry Association (SIA) and American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS International), Security LeadHER has quickly become one of the industry’s premier events dedicated to advancing women in security. Although this was the conference’s fourth year, it was my first opportunity to attend.
On day one, participants could pre-register for a security tour of a local corporation in the Minneapolis area, before transitioning into roundtable discussions, panel sessions, keynote presentations, and a welcome reception.
What stood out immediately was how intentionally the conference was designed to encourage connection.
The welcome reception wasn’t simply a networking event. It was an experience. Women gathered over charcuterie, sushi, and an espresso cart while a violinist moved through the room playing energetic music that brought everyone together in a way that felt natural and unforced. Throughout the conference, refreshments remained available in the lobby, lunches were intentionally left unscheduled so attendees could meet someone new, and conversations continued organically between sessions.
Those details mattered.
They created an environment where networking didn’t feel forced. It felt authentic.
Showing Up Alone
As I looked around the room, I noticed groups of colleagues who had traveled together. I also noticed many women, like me, who had arrived on their own.
Within minutes, those distinctions disappeared.
I found myself sitting with women at every stage of their careers; from students and professionals entering the industry to seasoned executives who generously shared lessons learned over decades of leadership.
One of the things I appreciated most was that there was no hierarchy in the conversations. Everyone was genuinely interested in helping one another grow.
That willingness to connect reminded me that some of the most meaningful professional relationships begin with something as simple as introducing yourself.
Finding My Voice
One of the biggest milestones of the conference for me was facilitating my first roundtable discussion.
My session, Chasing Purpose, Not Paychecks: A Non-Linear Path to Leadership in Security, focused on the reality that careers rarely follow a straight line. We discussed career pivots, taking calculated risks, redefining success, and making decisions based on long-term purpose rather than short-term compensation.
While I came prepared to share my own experiences, I left equally inspired by everyone who attended my presentations and the thoughtful conversations we shared.
Each participant had a different journey, but the themes were remarkably consistent. Growth often comes through uncertainty. Leadership is built through intentional decisions. And purpose has a way of revealing itself when we’re willing to embrace change.
Another aspect of the conference that stood out was the balance in programming. Alongside leadership and professional development sessions, there were conversations centered on artificial intelligence, business development, marketing, and revenue generation. It was a reminder that security professionals today are expected to be more than operationally strong; we are expected to understand business impact, communicate value, and contribute to strategic decision-making.
That combination of leadership development and business acumen made the experience especially relevant to the evolving role of security within organizations.
The Difference Between a Mentor and a Sponsor
One presentation, delivered by Kathy Sizemore, left a particularly lasting impression on me.
She shared a distinction I hadn’t heard articulated so clearly before.
“A mentor gives you advice. A sponsor says your name when you’re not in the room.”
That simple statement reframed how I think about professional relationships and leadership.
Mentors are invaluable. They guide us, challenge us, and help us develop.
Sponsors do something different. They advocate for us when opportunities arise. They recommend us for roles, speaking engagements, and leadership opportunities before we’ve even had the chance to advocate for ourselves.
As I reflected on my own career, one person immediately came to mind: Amber Cooley.
Amber encouraged me to submit for this speaking opportunity. More importantly, she spoke my name when I wasn’t in the room. She saw potential in me before I fully recognized it myself and encouraged me to take the leap.
That is sponsorship.
It also challenged me to think about the type of leader I want to be.
I hope my career is defined not only by the opportunities I’ve been given, but by the opportunities I’ve helped create for others. If I can use my experience, my network, or my voice to help elevate another professional in our industry, then I want to do exactly that.
Bring a Folding Chair
It wasn’t the only idea from Kathy Sizemore’s presentation that stayed with me.
The conference concluded with another quote she shared, originally from Shirley Chisholm:
“If you aren’t offered a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
It was the perfect takeaway after two days centered on leadership, growth, and community.
To me, the quote isn’t about demanding recognition. It’s about recognizing that your perspective has value even before someone formally invites you into the conversation.
Speak up.
Volunteer.
Submit the proposal.
Join the committee.
Introduce yourself.
Pull up the folding chair.
Looking back, that is exactly what this experience represented for me. I arrived in Minneapolis uncertain about what to expect. I left with new professional relationships, future speaking opportunities, meaningful conversations, and a renewed confidence in continuing to build my voice within the security industry.
I’ll absolutely be back next year.
And when I return, I plan to bring another female colleague from AT-RISK International with me.
Because the best part of finding your own seat at the table is making room for someone else.
