Five Top Sessions on Leadership, Performance Management and Workforce Development at ISC West 2025

SIA Education at ISC logo on workforce background

ISC West 2025 is coming up March 31 – April 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Security Industry Association (SIA) and ISC West have revealed full conference details for the SIA Education at ISC West program, including keynote presentations from top luminaries and over 115 sessions from top industry expert speakers on the most current business trends, technologies and industry developments.

Among the robust lineup of conference sessions are several offerings on leadership, performance management and workforce development. At ISC West 2025, you’ll discover expert insights on combating labor shortages, the future of work and more. Here are five sessions you won’t want to miss; make sure to add them to your ISC West calendar!

All Times PDT

Ethical Leadership: Acting With Integrity in Business Practices

Tuesday, April 1, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

This session delves into the importance of ethical considerations in leadership. With a focus on integrity, transparency and social responsibility, ethical leadership is crucial for building trust and achieving long-term success in today’s business environment. Attendees will explore the core principles of ethical leadership, learn practical strategies for implementing ethical practices across their organizations and understand the significant benefits of maintaining high ethical standards in all business activities. This session aims to empower leaders to foster a culture of ethics and accountability.

“We live in an ever-changing world from the standpoint of technology, regulations, channel challenges and more. The one constant is that running a business that is guided by ethical principles always leads to responsible and proper decisions with long-term payoffs. Join us as we delve into the opportunities and challenges of ethical leadership in today’s business environment.”

– Dan Rothrock, president, Zenitel Americas

Speakers:

  • Shaun Castillo, president, Pref-Tech
  • Alaina Meyer, president/owner, scDataCom
  • Dan Rothrock, president, Zenitel Americas
  • Wayne Smith, president, Tech Systems

Combating Labor Shortages in Physical Security: Attraction, Selection and Engagement

Tuesday, April 1, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Join this interactive workshop to address labor shortages in the physical security sector. Learn effective strategies for attracting, selecting and engaging top talent to ensure your organization is well-staffed and secure. This session will provide insights into current labor market trends, innovative recruitment techniques, effective onboarding practices and strategies for retaining skilled personnel. Attendees will gain practical tools and knowledge to enhance their workforce planning and management in the ever-evolving security industry.

“I am so excited to be part of an expert panel at ISC West speaking about the labor shortage in our industry!  We will provide insights on ways to set you and your company up for success now and in the future.”

– Lori Hudnall, SHRM-SCP, vice president, human resources, SAGE Integration

Speakers:

  • Candice Aragon, chief experience officer, PSA
  • Zachary Brackett, sales and design professional, Preferred Technologies
  • Lori Hudnall, SHRM-SCP, vice president, human resources, SAGE Integration
  • Brent Van Haren, president, SecurAlarm

Future of Work: Trends, Technology and Talent

Wednesday, April 2, 8:00-8:45 a.m.

As Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher, noted over 2,500 years ago, “There is nothing permanent except change.” This timeless insight is more relevant in today’s rapidly evolving workforce landscape. This session will explore the transformative trends reshaping the world of work and delve into the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities fundamentally changing the nature of employment and organizational dynamics. We will also examine the impact of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, automation and remote work and how these innovations are creating new paradigms in the workplace. Participants will gain valuable insights into the essential skills and competencies required to thrive in an era characterized by constant change and uncertainty.

“In an era of rapid change, understanding the transformative trends, technology and talent is critical to staying ahead in our industry. At ISC West, I am excited to share how emerging innovations are reshaping the landscape and what essential skills are needed to drive success. Attendees will gain actionable insights on adapting to change, leveraging new technologies and building a future-ready workforce. Hope to see you there!”

– Kerri Sutherland, board chair, Foundation for Advancing Security Talent; manager, human resources business partnerships, Axis Communications

Presenter:

  • Kerri Sutherland, board chair, Foundation for Advancing Security Talent; manager, human resources business partnerships, Axis Communications

Driving Operational Excellence: Building High-Performance Teams in the Security Industry

Wednesday, April 2, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

In this presentation, participants will explore the essential strategies for creating and managing high-performance teams within the security industry, emphasizing operational excellence. The session will cover critical aspects such as the importance of a supportive organizational culture, aligning security objectives with business goals and the necessity for continuous learning and adaptation to evolving security challenges. Attendees will gain insights into frameworks like Lean Management, the Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX) and the Five Dysfunctions of a Team (5DoT), with practical applications to enhance team performance and cybersecurity practices. By the end of the presentation, participants will be equipped with actionable strategies to foster a high-performance culture and drive their organizations towards achieving superior results.

“I have been working in the IT area for 25+ years, and I have built successful and very resilient teams. What I have learned from these countless experiences is that operational excellence in cybersecurity isn’t just about technology – it’s about building teams that are adaptable, aligned and driven by a culture of continuous improvement. High-performance teams don’t happen by chance but by choice; they are intentionally developed through leadership, strategy and execution.”

– Dr. Domingo Castillo, chief information security officer and adjunct professor, Miami Dade College

Presenter:

  • Domingo Castillo, chief information security officer and adjunct professor, Miami Dade College

The Value of Relationships: A Holistic Understanding to Successful Projects

Wednesday, April 2, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Relationships are key to all that we do in the security industry. This requires the end user, security integrator and technology partners to all be working together hand in hand. Often the lack of relationship causes projects and partnerships to falter. In this panel, representatives from the end user, technology partner and security integrator will engage in an exciting conversation about the value and importance of their relationship together and how it has helped navigate even the most challenging of times.

“In security projects, technology is only half the battle – relationships are the force multiplier. Join us to uncover how collaboration and trust drive resilience and success in even the most complex initiatives.”

– Thomasina Martin, key account manager, energy and utilities, Genetec

Speakers:

  • Elliott Gabriel, sales and design professional, Preferred Technologies
  • Thomasina Martin, key account manager, energy and utilities, Genetec
  • Juan Robles, manager, corporate security, CenterPoint Energy
  • William Trout, lead analyst, corporate security, people and business solutions, CenterPoint Energy
  • Jason Vaughan, director of corporate security, CenterPoint Energy

You can access the full SIA Education at ISC West conference program by registering for a SIA Education at ISC Passport. Even better, use SIA’s link to sign up for the ISC West trade show and save 20% on your conference pass!

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).