Most Influential People in Security
Each year, Security magazine honors top security executives who are positively impacting the security industry, their enterprise, their colleagues and their peers. In this annual report, learn how these security leaders climbed the ranks to provide an overall positive impact that their security projects, programs or departments have on their shareholders, organizations, colleagues and the general public. These leaders are nominated by their colleagues and associates.
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Nominations are open through May 12.
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- Jennifer Swann — Great Leaders Don’t Just Manage Teams — They Build Themby algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Jennifer Swann had a part-time job in college as a Teller for the Bank of America and while in this role, her eyes were opened to the realities of data protection.
- Anthony Canale — Embedding Service and Responsibility into Securityby algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Anthony Canale started his career in law enforcement, where he performed the roles of Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain before rising to Chief of Police at a South Jersey Police Department. There, he led full operations and directed a team of 75 law enforcement members and administrative workers.
- Security’s Most Influential People in Security 2025on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Security Magazine’s 2025 Most Influential People in Security have shaped the future of security and risk management through leadership, innovation, and a lifelong commitment to progress across the industry.
- Chaim Mazal — Growing into a Security Careeron September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
CSO Chaim Mazal discusses the importance of mentorship and the trajectory of his security career.
- Joel Downing — Protecting the Public For Over 20 Yearson September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Joel Downing, VP Global Security and Safety Officer, shares his 17 years in law enforcement before joining the private sector.
- Jeff Mieseler — Taking Opportunities as They Comeon September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Jeff Mieseler discusses his career and the importance of mentorship and exploring all opportunities within the security industry.
- Diana Dragon — Managing Global Crises In the Public and Private Sectoron September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Diana Dragon shares her career including strategic leadership in the CIA.
- Michael Lashlee — Serving Something Greater Than Yourselfon September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Michael Lashlee discusses the importance of mentorship and his career throughout the public and private sector of the security industry.
- Julia Vincke — Leveraging Career Success to Lift Others Upby algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 am
Julia Vincke, Vice President of Security (CSO) at BASF, leverages her own career success to lift others up.
- Tamara Hutchinson | Most Influential People in Securityon September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Tamara Hutchinson, Director of Private Sector Engagement for the DHS, talks about her decades-long government career and the importance of finding your voice.
- Edward M. Levy | Most Influential People in Securityby algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Edward Levy reflects on how fulfilling it can be to witness a career come full circle.
- Jacqueline Lopour | Most Influential People in Securityby algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Jacqueline Lopour shares how any educational background can lead to a successful, fulfilling career in security.
- Josh Phillips | Most Influential People in Securityon September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Josh Phillips, Senior Director; Head of Global Security & Resilience at Chipotle Mexican Grill, discusses his career and the importance of inclusion in the security industry.
- Jeremy Rodrigues | Most Influential People in Securityon September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Jeremy Rodrigues discusses the importance of mentorship and his career throughout the public and private sector of the security industry.
- Security’s Most Influential People in Security 2024on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Security magazine presents the Most Influential People in Security 2024, a cross-section of impressive enterprise, government & institutional security leaders.
- Michael Brzozowski | Most Influential People in Securityon September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Michael Brzozowski reflects on his career and his current role as Director, Physical Security Operations as CIBC.
- Arian Avila | Most Influential People in Securityon September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Arian Avila, VP of Security Operations and Solutions at Capital One, shares their experience moving from criminology to global security.
- Greg Wurm, CPP | Most Influential People in Securityby algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Greg Wurm discusses his professional journey from law enforcement to the private sector.
- Robert Grant | Most Influential People in Securityon September 5, 2024 at 4:00 am
Robert Grant, Senior Director of Global Security at Hollister, shares his winding security career from the FBI to the Catholic Church.
- Colin Daugherty | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
A veteran himself, Colin Daugherty, Director, Corporate Security, Americas at VF Corporation, provides support to U.S. veterans in the security industry.
- Clar Rosso | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Clar Rosso, CEO of cybersecurity membership association ISC2, drives the voice of cybersecurity through certifications, policy advocacy and industry research.
- Gregory Robinson | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Gregory Robinson, Vice President, Global Corporate Security at TransUnion, forged his own path in military and enterprise security.
- Eric Vélez-Villar | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Eric Vélez-Villar, Assistant Director of the FBI Office of the Private Sector, recounts his career across the FBI and how his role shifted in the organization.
- Liz Cathcart | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Liz Cathcart, Executive Director for Hostage US, focuses security response of a hostage situation.
- Jennifer Williams | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Jennifer Williams, Senior Director, Information Security at Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) blazes her own path in the cybersecurity industry.
- Matthew Horace | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Matthew Horace, Chief Security Officer at Pretium & Progress Residential, has championed security across the government, healthcare and technology sectors.
- Michael Dorn | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Michael Dorn, Executive Director at Safe Havens International, recounts his 40-plus years in the security industry and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
- Robert Soderberg | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Robert Soderberg, Vice President of Enterprise Safety & Security & Chief Safety, Security & Resiliency Officer at Adtalem Global Education, recalls his career.
- Scott Ashworth | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Scott Ashworth, Head of Safety and Security at Overtime Elite, recalls his work as a police officer and the transition into sports security.
- Yonah Alexander | Most Influential People in Security 2023on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 am
Yonah Alexander, Director of the Potomac Institute’s International Center for Terrorism Studies, records historical violence to stop the past repeating itself.