How long have you worked in security & what drew you in to the industry?
I've been in security for a total of five years. I was coming back from having my family and I thought security would be a great start. I really like the fact that here at Paladin, you're not just an employee number, people take the time to get to know you whether it's through phone calls or e-mails. Everyone is so friendly.
What unique traits do you feel women bring to security?
Women don't have strong egos and we don't feel the need to constantly compete; we're cool, calm and collected. As most of us have experience with having our own families, we can balance things and look at situations from a different perspective. I'm a mom to four kids so you have to look at everything differently.
Why are women in leadership so important for the growth of the industry?
It shows that women do have something to bring to the table and it's a whole different perspective on many different topics. I always like the fact that there are existing companies willing to take women seriously because we do have a lot to offer. It's also a good example to show younger women that there are a lot of opportunities available even though this is considered to be a male-dominated industry. Security used to be a stepping stone, but now it can be a career.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Putting strong people into the team is very important to make sure all bases are covered. I have very strong supervisors who handle their jobs very well and that is key to not letting work take over my life. When I do have my time off, I stay at home and spend time with my family.
What's the best piece of advice that you've been given that you'd like to pass on to women following in your footsteps?
Don't be afraid to try things. You don't have to feel limited to what you think you can do, just go out and try it because you never know what can happen!
Describe Paladin in one-two words
Exciting and awesome. I really like this company. During the Junior Management Training Program hosted in Vancouver last year, I really had a good time and learned a lot of things!