ASIS Update: Young Professionals leading the way

The ASIS Young Professionals group is an important component of the organization because it connects emerging leaders in our industry with the resources, networks and educational opportunities that ASIS offers.

The Young Professionals meetings are typically open to anyone in the security industry, allowing each chapter to connect with people who might not have otherwise thought to join the organization.

ASIS Canada is fortunate to have a national Young Professionals program, which allows each chapter committee lead to share ideas, best practices and new initiatives with their colleagues across the country. Through monthly meetings of the committee chairs, we have been able to identify common challenges in organizing events, and also solutions that have worked well for others.

The ASIS national Young Professionals leadership team also seeks to provide program support across the country. For example, the group recently designed and distributed a challenge coin for all chapters across the nation. On this coin, the symbol of the white stag was used to signify our role as guides in the professional development of our peers.

Challenge coin featuring white hart (Image courtesy ASIS Canada)

During the COVID pandemic, the national group also pooled its resources in order to bring in a high profile speaker to address audiences across the nation. This year, we were very pleased to have law enforcement and security expert Jack Enter share his thoughts on leadership challenges facing operational supervisors in his presentation “Leadership in the Midst of Change.” Next year we are excited to host another speaker to address our members.

Some noteworthy recent events from chapters across the country include:
• In-person networking with security professionals from across industry verticals
• LinkedIn coaching session to help develop an online presence and personal brand
• Speed mentoring session with industry veterans on a range of topics
• Leadership development workshop for operational supervisors

ASIS YP Committee chairs

Atlantic Chapter: Jason Shea, Securitas

Ottawa Chapter: Luis Morales, iGuard360 Security

Southwest Ontario Chapter: Chris Scholes, City of London

Toronto Chapter: Kyle Klein, Wealthsimple

Edmonton Chapter: Lionel Morrill, Paladin Security

Calgary Chapter: Adrian Cadmus-Dixon, H&R REIT

Canadian Pacific Chapter: Ian Henderson, Paladin Security

Ian Henderson and Kyle Klein are co-assistant regional vice-presidents for the ASIS Canada Young Professionals program.