Resilient Features is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women whose stories form the heart of "The WOMEN IN SECURITY Documentary." Through over 40 interviews, four keynote presentations, three panel discussions, and three podcasts, these leaders are redefining the boundaries of the security industry. Here are the stars of our film:

Meet the stars of The WOMEN IN SECURITY Documentary!

Prepare to be inspired! The WOMEN IN SECURITY Documentary, directed by Yvette Freeman and produced by Richard Ticho for Resilient Features, shines a spotlight on the trailblazing women redefining the security industry. This cinematic achievement, premiering in March 2025, features content from over 40 powerful interviews, along with four keynote presentations, three panel discussions, and three podcasts, creating a vibrant tapestry of insight and innovation.

These extraordinary individuals bring their expertise, passion, and stories to the screen, offering an unfiltered look at their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Their dedication to their craft and their willingness to share their knowledge have elevated this film into a celebration of resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of women in security. We are honored to present their stories in this groundbreaking production.

Marene Allison

Retired CISO of Johnson & Johnson, Cyber Advisor, Strategic Business Advisor, President West Point Women
LinkedIn Profile

Marene Allison is a visionary leader who served as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Johnson & Johnson, where she led global initiatives to safeguard sensitive information and bolster resilience across the organization. With decades of experience in cybersecurity, Marene has become a sought-after advisor for businesses seeking strategic guidance on cyber challenges. She currently serves as the President of West Point Women, inspiring and empowering women leaders from diverse sectors. Marene’s legacy of mentorship and advocacy continues to shape the future of cybersecurity.

Gloria Ayika

Retired Principal Manager Security, Nigerian Ports Authority
LinkedIn Profile

Gloria Ayika is a distinguished professional in the security industry, holding certifications as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO), and Fellow of the Security Institute (FSI). With a robust background in security management, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise in safeguarding assets and ensuring compliance with international security standards. Her leadership and commitment to excellence have significantly contributed to the advancement of security practices within her field.

Kelly Bond

Senior Vice President, Davis Mergers & Acquisitions Group
LinkedIn Profile

Kelly Bond serves as the Senior Vice President at Davis Mergers & Acquisitions Group, bringing extensive expertise in business development and strategic growth to the forefront of the security industry. With a proven track record of advancing professional excellence, Kelly is dedicated to fostering innovation, creating impactful partnerships, and driving sustainable success for organizations. Her leadership style combines a results-driven approach with a focus on building strong, collaborative relationships within the industry. As a recognized authority in her field, Kelly remains committed to empowering teams and clients to achieve their strategic goals effectively.

Nicole Buratovich

Sr. Manager, Program Management | Culture & Wellness, Amazon
LinkedIn Profile

Nicole champions mental health and resilience at Amazon’s Global Security Operations Center. With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, her work bridges security expertise and emotionally intelligent leadership. Before Amazon, Nicole raised millions for regional economic development at GPEC and fostered global partnerships with Make-A-Wish® International.

Stacey Champagne

Founder & CEO, Hacker in Heels
LinkedIn Profile

Stacey empowers women in cybersecurity to achieve career growth through her platform, Hacker in Heels. A recognized leader, she combines a decade of experience in cybersecurity with coaching and advocacy to amplify women’s impact in the field.

Dr. Stephanie Carter

Principal, Compliance Advisory
LinkedIn Profile

A U.S. Army veteran, Dr. Carter brings 30+ years in security and compliance. Currently with Coalfire Systems, she also teaches in the Cybersecurity Master’s program at the University of Maryland. Her academic achievements include a Doctorate in Computer Science and multiple certifications.

Andrea Chedas

CEO, Black Widow Guardian
LinkedIn Profile

Andrea’s two decades of expertise span law enforcement and corporate security. As Head of Corporate Security at Wealthsimple, she leads insider threat management and crisis response initiatives. Andrea also founded Black Widow Guardian, offering tailored security solutions.

Lynn de Vries

Partner, DutchRisk
LinkedIn Profile

Lynn de Vries is an experienced security professional specializing in physical and corporate security, with a proven track record in leading investigations and implementing risk management strategies. Lynn holds the CPP and PCI certifications, demonstrating expertise in security management and investigations. Her dedication to fostering safe environments and mentoring future leaders underscores her commitment to excellence in the security field.

Kehkashan Dadwani

Senior Director, Cybersecurity
LinkedIn Profile

Kehkashan Dadwani is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with a wealth of experience in managing global security programs and developing robust strategies to combat cyber threats. As a Senior Director of Cybersecurity, Kehkashan focuses on driving innovation, fostering resilience, and ensuring compliance across diverse industries. Her leadership has been instrumental in mentoring professionals and advancing the field of cybersecurity.

Alice DiSanto

Vice President of Global Marketing, Rajant
LinkedIn Profile

Alice DiSanto is a seasoned marketing strategist and brand builder with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. She has played a pivotal role in advancing the Women in Security (WIS) movement, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the security industry. With extensive experience in developing impactful marketing campaigns, Alice has helped organizations elevate their brands and achieve business objectives. Known for her creative vision, strategic leadership, and passion for empowering women in the field, Alice continues to leave a lasting impact on both the marketing and security landscapes. 

Lynn Dohm

Executive Director, WiCyS
LinkedIn Profile

Lynn’s leadership at Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) advances diversity and workforce development. She’s received numerous awards, including Future Con’s Award of Excellence 2024, and is an acclaimed keynote speaker and author.

Dr. Victoria Ekhomu

Chairman/CEO TRANSWORLD SECURITY SYSTEMS & President, School of Management & Security
LinkedIn Profile

Victoria Ekhomu is a globally recognized expert in security and risk management, bringing decades of experience as a thought leader, educator, and practitioner. With a Doctorate in Security Management and extensive credentials including CPP, PFSO, FIMC, and FAISSON, she has pioneered innovative strategies in safeguarding assets and mitigating risks across industries. A passionate advocate for professional excellence, Dr. Ekhomu combines academic rigor with hands-on expertise to deliver impactful solutions and inspire future leaders in the field. Known for her leadership and dedication, she continues to shape the global security landscape with a vision for resilience and growth.

Dr. Linda Florence

Founder, The Florence Group LLC
LinkedIn Profile

Dr. Florence’s career spans 30+ years in security operations, consulting, and academia. An expert in workplace violence prevention, she’s received numerous honors, including the Karen Marquez Award.

Aarti Gadhia

Enterprise Account Executive, Sysdig
LinkedIn Profile

Aarti is a changemaker in cybersecurity, named one of Canada’s Top 20 Women in Cyber Security. She founded Standout To Lead and SHE (Sharing Her Empowerment), championing leadership and diversity in STEM.

Brittany Galli

C-suite Advisor and Strategist, BFG Ventures
LinkedIn Profile

Brittany Galli is a dedicated global security leader with expertise in designing and implementing security strategies for diverse industries. Known for her focus on risk management and resilience, Brittany’s leadership drives proactive security solutions and fosters collaboration across teams to ensure organizational safety and integrity.

Mary Gamble

Global Security Leader, Community Advocate
LinkedIn Profile

Mary Gamble is a recognized leader in the security industry with a strong commitment to community advocacy. Her extensive experience spans global security operations and initiatives focused on enhancing resilience and safety. Mary has played a key role in mentoring and developing future leaders in security, while also advancing industry standards and practices. Her collaborative approach and strategic vision have made her an influential figure in fostering both organizational and community well-being.

Mike Gips 

Principal, Global Insights in Professional Security (GIPS)
LinkedIn Profile

Mike Gips is a highly respected thought leader in professional security, providing strategic insights and innovative solutions to enhance the security landscape. As the Principal at Global Insights in Professional Security, Mike’s expertise spans risk management, organizational security strategies, and industry leadership. His contributions have shaped the professional security community worldwide.

Karen Gispanski

Senior Director of Enterprise Cyber Security, Millennium Healthcare
LinkedIn Profile

Karen oversees cybersecurity governance and operations at Millennium Healthcare, leveraging 25+ years of experience. Her career includes strategic leadership roles across healthcare, finance, and manufacturing industries.

Merlin Guilbeau, IOM

Executive Leader, Security Industry Advocate
LinkedIn Profile

Merlin Guilbeau, IOM, is a distinguished executive leader and advocate within the security industry, with a career dedicated to advancing industry standards and professional excellence. Known for his visionary leadership and strategic expertise, Merlin has significantly contributed to the growth and development of security organizations and their members. His efforts have not only strengthened industry best practices but have also inspired collaboration and innovation among professionals across the sector.

Tia Hopkins

Chief Cyber Resilience Officer & Field CTO, eSentire
LinkedIn Profile

Tia is a cybersecurity leader, adjunct professor, and author. Her accolades include SC Media’s Outstanding Educator Award and AmeriCorps’ Lifetime Achievement Award. She founded Empow(H)er Cybersecurity, empowering women of color in the industry.

David Koenig

Partner, Capital Lock, Inc. (Retired)
LinkedIn Profile

David Koenig, retired Partner at Capital Lock, Inc., is a respected leader in the security industry with decades of experience. Throughout his career, he played a pivotal role in driving innovation, enhancing security solutions, and building Capital Lock into a trusted name in the field. Known for his strategic vision and commitment to excellence, David’s contributions have left a lasting impact on the industry.

Dr. Valerie Lyons

Chief Operations Officer, BH Consulting
LinkedIn Profile

Dr. Valerie Lyons brings an exceptional combination of academic and professional expertise to her role as Chief Operations Officer at BH Consulting. A recognized leader in privacy and security, she excels at designing robust strategies to meet modern security challenges. Valerie’s contributions to the industry include numerous speaking engagements, publications, and initiatives that advance data protection and privacy standards globally. Her dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation sets her apart as a trailblazer in the security sector.

Melissa Mack

Director, Pinkerton
LinkedIn Profile

With 25 years in security, Melissa specializes in risk mitigation and professional development. A certified résumé writer and interview coach, she’s an advocate for women in security and a leader at Pinkerton.

Constance Matthews Reynolds

Founder & CEO, ReynCon
LinkedIn Profile

Connie leads ReynCon, focusing on InfoSec training and development. Recognized as a trailblazer in cybersecurity, she serves on several industry boards and fosters education and awareness in the field.

Paula Mendes

Associate Director, Pinkerton
LinkedIn Profile

Paula Mendes is a dedicated professional in security and risk management. As an Associate Director at Pinkerton, Paula’s expertise lies in creating and implementing solutions that protect assets and mitigate risks. Her collaborative approach and focus on strategic outcomes make her a key figure in driving security excellence across the industry.

Bonnie Michelman

Vice President/Chief Security Officer, Mass general Brigham
LinkedIn Profile

Bonnie Michelman’s extensive leadership and security management experience crosses diverse industries and national boundaries. She is Vice President/Chief Security Officer of Mass General Brigham, parent organization for 15 hospitals (including founding member Massachusetts General Hospital) and hundreds of healthcare satellite sites. Her broader accomplishments include nomination by Janet Napolitano to the Homeland Security Advisory Council where she served for six years. Bonnie’s professional contributions also include Instructor at Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice in the graduate program as well as consulting and lecturing in healthcare security, workplace and domestic violence, hate crimes, and risk assessment and management, among other topics. A published author in professional journals on safety, security, leadership and management, Bonnie is also an Executive Coach and performs Management Engineering, Strategic Planning, and ESRM assessments. She has been President of IAHSS, ASIS-International and ISMA, the triple crown.  She has served as expert witness in inadequate and negligent security litigation and consultant. Bonnie has received numerous national and international leadership distinctions and awards. She holds an MBA, an MS in Criminal Justice, a BA in Government and Sociology and holds CPP and CHPA certifications.

Niamh Vianney Muldoon

Global Innovation Lead and EMEA CISO, BNY Mellon
LinkedIn Profile

Niamh is a globally recognized leader in cybersecurity innovation. A Guinness World Record Holder for Cybersecurity Awareness, she’s an advocate for security enablement and transformation.

Karen Nemani

AWS Security Delivery Practice Canada, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
LinkedIn Profile

Karen Nemani brings exceptional expertise in cloud security as part of Amazon Web Services' Security Delivery Practice in Canada. Her innovative strategies, leadership, and collaborative efforts make her a cornerstone in advancing security solutions for AWS clients across diverse industries.

Nicola Oakie

Vice President of Sales, Netwatch North America
LinkedIn Profile

Nicola Oakie is the Vice President of Sales at Netwatch North America, with over 25 years of experience in the electronic security industry. Since joining Netwatch in 2018, she has played a key role in growing the company’s Proactive Video Monitoring dealer network across the U.S. Nicola began her career at ADI in 1995 and has held leadership roles at American Video and Security and I-View Now. She is a passionate advocate for diversity in the security sector and is a sought-after speaker on emerging security technologies and strategies.

Mackenzie Phillips

Senior Manager, Security & Loss Prevention, Amazon
LinkedIn Profile

Mackenzie Phillips is a forward-thinking Senior Manager at Amazon, specializing in Security and Loss Prevention. With an MBA and LPC certification, Mackenzie prioritizes the safety and protection of people, assets, and business operations. Her dedication to innovative, preventative security measures ensures the resilience of Amazon’s operations worldwide.

Mindy Pretzman

US Secret Service (Retired)
LinkedIn Profile

Mindy Pretzman dedicated her career to service and protection during her tenure with the US Secret Service. Her expertise spans managing high-level security operations, safeguarding national leaders, and implementing critical risk mitigation strategies. Mindy’s extensive experience in law enforcement and security makes her an inspiring figure in the field.

Natasha Ryan

Director of Engagement and Communications, Stronger Families
LinkedIn Profile

Natasha Ryan brings over two decades of experience in broadcast journalism and strategic communications to her role at Stronger Families. Her expertise includes elevating organizational narratives, driving global communications strategies, and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders. Natasha’s dedication to storytelling and engagement positions her as a leader in promoting transparency and trust within the security and communications sectors.

Allison Sands

Founder and President, Project Hummingbird
LinkedIn Profile

Allison Sands is a trailblazer in conflict management and security, combining psychology and innovative de-escalation techniques. As the Founder of Project Hummingbird, Allison’s mission is to reduce violence through tailored training programs that improve communication and interpersonal skills. Her expertise spans corporate security, law enforcement, and behavioral analysis, making her a sought-after speaker and leader in fostering safer environments.

Gilad Solnik

Director, Global Security & Loss Prevention, Amazon
LinkedIn Profile

Gilad Solnik is an accomplished leader in global security and loss prevention. As Director at Amazon, he oversees complex security strategies to safeguard assets and minimize risks. His deep expertise and forward-thinking approach drive success in managing security challenges on a global scale.

Sarah Stone

Associate Director, Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations
LinkedIn Profile

Sarah Stone brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as Associate Director at Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations. With a strong focus on strategic investigations and client security solutions, Sarah is dedicated to driving innovative and effective approaches to risk management. Her expertise and collaborative style have made her a trusted advisor within the security industry.

Sheryl Tricocci

Regional Director, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Investigations
LinkedIn Profile

Sheryl Tricocci is a seasoned Fire Protection and Life Safety leader with over 26 years of industry experience, spanning roles as a 911 operator, fire alarm designer, trainer, sales manager, and consultant. She excels in cross-functional leadership within matrix organizations, driving team-building, growth, and change management. An active participant in industry organizations, Sheryl serves on ICC, SFPE, and NFPA technical committees and supports The Center for Campus Fire Safety. She has held leadership roles, including Executive Board Member and Treasurer for AFAA. Sheryl is an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist, holds NICET Level IV and II certifications, and has degrees in Security Management and an MBA in International Business.

Danielle Weddepohl

Director, Public Safety and Emergency Management, George Brown College
LinkedIn Profile

Danielle Weddepohl is a security and investigations leader skilled in directing incident response and safeguarding people, information and assets. Experience includes: physical security management, program auditing, data and intelligence analysis, risk and comprehensive threat assessment, emergency response, case management, policy development, project management, cultivating change, relationship building, facilitating seminars and spreading positivity.

Angela White

Past President, Electronic Security Association
LinkedIn Profile

Angela is a transformative leader in the electronic security industry, serving as Past President of the Electronic Security Association. Her career spans 40 years, focusing on innovation and breaking barriers.

These inspiring women and leaders are not just experts but trailblazers, mentors, and changemakers who embody resilience and empowerment in security.

We are honored to share their journeys with the world.

PURPOSE

The WOMEN IN SECURITY Documentary will review the history of women in the security profession while also recognizing their impact on iconic and unforgettable moments.  Through storytelling, we aim to:

  • INSPIRE new generations to dream of security as a meaningful career path.

  • CELEBRATE achievements of women who are paving the path for the next generation.

  • ACCELERATE change to close the gender gap that will solve the labor shortage in this industry.

  • EXPLORE the growth and evolution of women in the security field aiming to empower women currently working in the industry, create paths for cultural change and improve retention.

  • BUILD allies and advocates.

Measuring Our Success

Through the documentary we hope to achieve the following:

  • Retention: Global understanding of retention and normalize / meet a 90% standard.

  • Education: Website & documentary leveraged as an educational tool as part of a STEAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), Security Associations, Forums and Groups.

  • Culture: Distinguish corporations that commit to transforming supporting cultural shift to a balanced workforce.

  • Advancement: Normalize recognition of the value that women bring to the security field.

  • Support: Global recognition of our sponsors support of women in security.