Security LeadHER 2026, the foremost conference focused on enhancing the role of women in the global security sector, successfully hosted 500 pioneer figures from the security realm at the Hilton Minneapolis on June 15-16, 2026. The two-day event emphasised networking, education, and community outreach.
Organised by ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA), this year’s edition saw a 10% rise in participation compared to 2025, underscoring its increasing significance within the industry.
Inclusive security community
Participants from 40 U.S. states and 11 countries spanning from the Midwest to the Middle East gathered to bolster the inclusion and empowerment of women in security roles. Rachael Paskvan, chair of the ASIS Women in Security community and head of protective services at Ecolab, emphasised the significance of the event. She stated, “The conversations, mentorship, sponsorship and meaningful connections fostered this week are not only shaping individual careers—they are helping shape the future of the security profession.”
They witnessed a live presentation of Target's advanced analytics and automation in action
The attendees experienced exclusive tours, including a visit to the Target Corporate Command Center, which operates around-the-clock to address business, safety, and security matters across nearly 2,000 stores and over 60 supply chain facilities. They witnessed a live presentation of Target's advanced analytics and automation in action.
Next-generation technology
Further insights were provided at the Mall of America Security Operations and Axis Experience Center, where participants learned about the operational management of the largest mall in the United States and the next-generation technology safeguarding its 100,000 daily visitors. These tours gave attendees a unique view into extensive security operations.
The programme featured impactful keynote speeches, beginning with Alison Fragale, Ph.D., a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor, who discussed gender dynamics in her talk, “Likeable Badass: The Science of Winning the Status Game.” On the second day, Minda Harts, an advocate for workplace equity, presented “Your Voice Is Your Value,” offering strategies for self-advocacy and communication.
Difficult power dynamics
Security LeadHER 2026 put its values of empowerment into action, promising a similar experience in Austin
A leadership panel titled “The Power of Sponsorship and Allyship” concluded the event, where prominent women security leaders discussed their career experiences and the crucial support they received. Panelists, moderated by Karen Frank from KPMG, included industry figures like Kimberly Fearno, Emy Johnson, Alaina Meyer, and Dawanna S. Witt.
Beyond keynotes, attendees engaged in sessions that tackled current challenges and opportunities for women in security, covering topics such as executive presence, confident communication, and strategic networking in a global security framework. The sessions addressed significant industry issues like the role of AI and the importance of psychological safety in high-performing teams.
More resilient communities
The event, backed by sponsors like Amazon Worldwide Operations Security and Apple, not only enhanced the attendee experience but also aimed to strengthen communities.
Its commitment was evident in partnerships with local women-owned businesses and initiatives like a clothing drive for Dress for Success Twin Cities. Security LeadHER 2026 put its values of empowerment into action, promising a similar experience in Austin, Texas next year, on June 14-15, 2027.
Security LeadHER, the premier event dedicated to advancing women in the global security industry, welcomed 500 security leaders to the Hilton Minneapolis on June 15–16, 2026, for two days of connection, learning and community impact.
Presented by ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA), this year’s gathering marked a roughly 10% increase in registrations over 2025—a clear signal of the event’s growing momentum and the expanding community it serves.
Inclusive security community
From the Midwest to the Middle East, attendees travelled from 40 U.S. states and 11 nations to be part of the experience with a shared commitment to advancing, connecting and empowering women across the profession.
“The conversations, mentorship, sponsorship and meaningful connections fostered this week are not only shaping individual careers—they are helping shape the future of the security profession,” said Rachael Paskvan, chair of the ASIS Women in Security community and head of protective services at Ecolab. “We are proud to partner with SIA to create a space where leaders, allies and emerging professionals can learn from one another, share experiences and drive meaningful change across our industry. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive security community where everyone has the opportunity to grow, lead and succeed.”
Advanced analytics and automation
“Security LeadHER 2026 demonstrates the incredible momentum behind the advancement of women in the security industry. What makes this event so powerful is that it goes beyond inspiration: it creates meaningful connections, actionable insights and opportunities that continue long after the event ends,” said Candice Aragon, chair of the SIA Women in Security Forum and chief experience officer at PSA. “We are proud to see this community growing and grateful to everyone who contributed to making this year’s conference our most impactful yet.”
Attendees enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at two of Minnesota’s most iconic destinations. At the Target Corporate Command Center—the 24/7 hub that monitors business, safety and security issues across nearly 2,000 stores and more than 60 supply chain facilities—attendees toured the center and saw a live demonstration of Target’s advanced analytics and automation.
Next-generation technology
At the Mall of America Security Operations and the Axis Experience Center, they went inside the day-to-day management of the largest mall in America, learning how the team keeps more than 100,000 daily patrons safe and the next-generation technology that makes it possible. Together, the tours offered a rare, insider look at security operations at scale.
The result is an event that brings women leaders in the security profession together with allies who champion the mission—creating space to advance, connect and empower women in the industry, present and future.
Powerful keynote addresses
The program was anchored by two powerful keynote addresses. Organisational psychologist, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor and status-and-negotiation expert Alison Fragale, Ph.D., opened the conference with “Likeable Badass: The Science of Winning the Status Game,” unpacking why women are so often forced to choose between being seen as competent and being seen as likeable and how a science-based understanding of status can change that dynamic.
On Day 2, author and workplace equity expert Minda Harts delivered “Your Voice Is Your Value,” blending her self-advocacy strategies with her “Seven Trust Languages” framework to help attendees strengthen self-trust and communicate their worth with confidence, even amid difficult power dynamics.
Difficult power dynamics
The conference closed with a leadership panel, “The Power of Sponsorship and Allyship,” in which women security leaders shared candid career stories about the advocates who opened doors, amplified their voices, and helped break down barriers.
Karen Frank, managing director and head of firm safety and security services at KPMG, moderated the discussion featuring panelists Kimberly Fearno, regional vice president at Convergint; Emy Johnson, vice president and chief security officer at Allina Health; Alaina Meyer, president of scDataCom; and Dawanna S. Witt, sheriff of Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Global security career
Beyond the keynotes, attendees chose from a unique and robust slate of breakouts, roundtables and sessions spanning the challenges and opportunities facing women in security today. Topics ranged from executive presence, confident communication and mastering hard conversations to navigating nonlinear career paths, personal branding and strategic networking for a global security career.
Sessions also tackled the field’s most pressing issues and challenges, including leading across generations in the age of artificial intelligence, recognising bias in data-driven decision making, the role of psychological safety in high-performing security teams, women in executive protection and building the next-generation pipeline of women leaders. The breadth reflected Security LeadHER’s commitment to meeting professionals wherever they are on their leadership journey, from entry and mid-level roles to the C-suite.
Security LeadHER 2026 was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors across every tier:
- Premier Sponsors: Amazon Worldwide Operations Security, Apple and HID
- Executive Sponsors: Allegion, Axis Communications, Boon Edam, Circadian Risk, M.C. Dean, Salto, Securitas, Securitas Technology and Wesco
- Partner Sponsors: Genetec, GSA, Hanwha Vision, Inter-Con Security, Johnson Controls, Resolver, Sage Integration, Verkada and ZBeta
- Their partnership powers not only an exceptional attendee experience, but also the community investment that defines what Security LeadHER stands for.
More resilient communities
Security LeadHER is more than a conference—it’s a way the security industry contributes to building stronger, more resilient communities. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Axis Communications, Security LeadHER is proud to go beyond the event itself and invest directly in the cities that welcome it. This year, that city is Minneapolis. By partnering with women-owned businesses already making a difference in their local communities, Security LeadHER puts its values of advancing, connecting and empowering women into action.
The event is proud to stand alongside Tameka Jones, founder and CEO of Lip Esteem, in her mission of empowering women and in recognition of her local impact. This year’s conference also hosted a clothing drive benefiting Dress for Success Twin Cities, an organisation supporting individuals ages 18+ with career advancement services including coaching, classes and workplace attire. Save the date for next year’s Security LeadHER event, taking place June 14–15, 2027, in Austin, Texas.
