Most Influential People in Security
Image courtesy of: BNP Media
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.
- Recognizing Leadership and Industry Insight
on March 27, 2026 at 4:00 amInput from readers strengthens Security Magazine annual initiatives.
- Joel Downing — Protecting the Public For Over 20 Years
on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amJoel Downing, VP Global Security and Safety Officer, shares his 17 years in law enforcement before joining the private sector.
- Chaim Mazal — Growing into a Security Career
on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amCSO Chaim Mazal discusses the importance of mentorship and the trajectory of his security career.
- Jeff Mieseler — Taking Opportunities as They Come
on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amJeff 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 Sector
on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amDiana Dragon shares her career including strategic leadership in the CIA.
- Michael Lashlee — Serving Something Greater Than Yourself
on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amMichael Lashlee discusses the importance of mentorship and his career throughout the public and private sector of the security industry.
- Jennifer Swann — Great Leaders Don’t Just Manage Teams — They Build Them
by algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amJennifer 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 Security
by algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amAnthony 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 2025
on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amSecurity 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.
- Julia Vincke — Leveraging Career Success to Lift Others Up
by algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 2, 2025 at 4:00 amJulia Vincke, Vice President of Security (CSO) at BASF, leverages her own career success to lift others up.
- Arian Avila | Most Influential People in Security
on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amArian Avila, VP of Security Operations and Solutions at Capital One, shares their experience moving from criminology to global security.
- Michael Brzozowski | Most Influential People in Security
on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amMichael Brzozowski reflects on his career and his current role as Director, Physical Security Operations as CIBC.
- Robert Grant | Most Influential People in Security
on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amRobert Grant, Senior Director of Global Security at Hollister, shares his winding security career from the FBI to the Catholic Church.
- Edward M. Levy | Most Influential People in Security
by algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amEdward Levy reflects on how fulfilling it can be to witness a career come full circle.
- Jacqueline Lopour | Most Influential People in Security
by algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amJacqueline Lopour shares how any educational background can lead to a successful, fulfilling career in security.
- Josh Phillips | Most Influential People in Security
on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amJosh 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 Security
on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amJeremy Rodrigues discusses the importance of mentorship and his career throughout the public and private sector of the security industry.
- Greg Wurm, CPP | Most Influential People in Security
by algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amGreg Wurm discusses his professional journey from law enforcement to the private sector.
- Security’s Most Influential People in Security 2024
on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amSecurity magazine presents the Most Influential People in Security 2024, a cross-section of impressive enterprise, government & institutional security leaders.
- Tamara Hutchinson | Most Influential People in Security
on September 5, 2024 at 4:00 amTamara Hutchinson, Director of Private Sector Engagement for the DHS, talks about her decades-long government career and the importance of finding your voice.
- Colin Daugherty | Most Influential People in Security 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amA veteran himself, Colin Daugherty, Director, Corporate Security, Americas at VF Corporation, provides support to U.S. veterans in the security industry.
- Gregory Robinson | Most Influential People in Security 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amGregory 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 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amEric 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 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amLiz Cathcart, Executive Director for Hostage US, focuses security response of a hostage situation.
- Jennifer Williams | Most Influential People in Security 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amJennifer 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 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amMatthew 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 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amMichael 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 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amRobert 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 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amScott 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 2023
on September 5, 2023 at 4:00 amYonah Alexander, Director of the Potomac Institute’s International Center for Terrorism Studies, records historical violence to stop the past repeating itself.
