25 on the RISE Honorees

25 on the RISE: Celebrating the Security Industry's Brightest Young Talent

Meet the Security Leaders of Tomorrow

The Security Industry Association (SIA) 25 On the RISE award program, presented by the SIA RISE community, recognizes 25 new and emerging security leaders each year for their impactful contributions to advancing the security industry. SIA 25 on the RISE awardees represent the industry’s leaders of today and tomorrow who influence their companies, their communities and the industry at large in terms of diversity, impact and innovation.

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Congratulations to this year's 25 on the RISE Award Winners!

View the press release here.

Mohssine Affane

Digital Marketing Senior Manager
dormakaba
Category: Leadership

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Mohssine Affane is the senior digital marketing manager at dormakaba North America, where he leads the region’s digital strategy and drives large-scale digital transformation. He is responsible for strengthening dormakaba’s digital presence across the U.S. and Canada, advancing scalable platforms and creating customer-first experiences that support business growth and brand leadership. Throughout his tenure, Affane has guided the modernization of dormakaba’s websites, developed bilingual digital platforms that expand accessibility and compliance across North America, and introduced innovative customer channels that have been replicated internationally. He has also established frameworks that reduce external costs, streamline operations, and lay the foundation for future automation and data-driven marketing initiatives. Recognized for aligning digital strategy with enterprise priorities, Affane brings a proven ability to deliver measurable impact while positioning dormakaba as a forward-looking leader in the security and access solutions industry. Based in Montreal, Canada, and fluent in French and English, Affane combines a multicultural perspective with more than a decade of digital marketing expertise. His leadership reflects both strategic vision and hands-on execution, consistently turning complex challenges into opportunities for transformation and growth.

Ghaida Alkhateeb
Security Area Manager
Amazon
Category: Culture

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Ghaida Alkhateeb is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, valued and empowered. As a security area manager at Amazon, she focuses on building inclusive teams and bridging languages, cultures and perspectives to strengthen global security operations. Alkhateeb also co-leads global events for Amazon Women in Security, bringing together voices from across the organization to share stories, build connections and inspire meaningful change. She was honored with the Amazon Women in Security Inspire Award and has been published in the Resilience Hub, where she shared insights on diversity, resilience and the power of inclusion in security. Alongside her work, Alkhateeb is pursuing her Ph.D. at Kent State University, researching multilingual crisis communication and cognitive load in high-pressure environments. As a mother and mentor, she strives to lead with empathy and purpose, using her journey to show that resilience and representation can transform both people and culture.

Benji Bolick
Senior Channel Sales Manager
LenelS2
Category: Branding

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Benji Bolick, affectionately known as "The Door Dork," has been a passionate member of the security industry since 2018. He is dedicated to furthering industrywide education on the impact of proper and thorough security and moving forward with emerging technologies to keep our communities protected.

Rachel Brooks-Bitterli
Program Manager, Special Projects and Investigations
Amazon
Category: Innovation

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Rachel Brooks-Bitterli is a risk intelligence professional focused on curbing online harms and creating a safer, more trustworthy internet. She is a program manager for Special Projects & Investigations within Amazon’s Selling Partner Trust & Store Integrity organization. Before Amazon, Brooks-Bitterli was most recently project manager for Microsoft’s Democracy Forward initiative, where she supported the company’s information integrity, journalism and media literacy workstreams. She previously served as a private-sector intelligence analyst for several ultra-high-net-worth individuals and Fortune 500 companies. Formerly a U.S. Department of State Fulbright grantee in South Korea and Rotary International Peace Fellow in England, Brooks-Bitterli now calls Kirkland, Washington, home.

Kelsey Carnell
Regional Sales Manager
Axis Communications
Category: Branding

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Kelsey Carnell is a dedicated and dynamic regional sales manager at Axis Communications, bringing a strategic mindset and over a decade of experience in the security industry. With a strong track record in building client relationships, driving sales growth and advancing innovative security solutions, she is recognized as a rising leader in the field. Carnell currently serves as chair of the ASIS Boston Chapter, where she actively promotes professional development and industry engagement. Her contributions have earned her national recognition, including being named to Security Systems News’ Emerging Leaders Under 40 and SIA’s Women in Security Forum Power 100,and as a finalist for the Outstanding Young Security Professional Award by OSPA. She is also a recipient of the GSX+ Young Professional Experience Award, highlighting her commitment to advancing the next generation of security professionals. Holding an MBA and a CPTED certification, Carnell blends business acumen with security expertise, helping clients navigate evolving challenges with a thoughtful, consultative approach.

Sarah Cassway
Systems Engineer
M.C. Dean
Category: Innovation

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Sarah Cassway is a systems engineer with M.C. Dean’s Security & Electronic Systems business unit, where she leads research and development on applying artificial intelligence to transform security operations centers. Since joining M.C. Dean in 2021, she has advanced from operations analyst to systems engineer, supporting enterprise-scale security systems and delivering solutions that improve performance through data, design and training. Cassway now leads a startup-style team building an innovative AI product for security operations. Her team prototypes, tests and refines capabilities in close partnership with customers, using an iterative approach that ensures technical innovation translates into measurable operational impact. In addition to her engineering work, Cassway has strengthened pathways for women in engineering and technology through her leadership in the Women at M.C. Dean affinity group. She is recognized for her creativity, collaborative leadership and commitment to advancing the security industry.

Kelly Cohan
Senior Manager, Partner Field Marketing
Brivo
Category: Leadership

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Kelly Cohan has over 14 years of experience spanning field marketing, demand generation, partner marketing and marketing operations. While newer to the security industry, she’s energized by its pace, innovation and impact—bringing a strong focus on enabling partners to navigate and thrive in this dynamic landscape. Since joining Brivo, Cohan has worked closely with partners to help drive revenue growth by connecting them with the right programs, resources and expertise. She’s passionate about creating meaningful connections between marketing and sales and helping partners turn strategy into real business results.

Robert Griggs
Solutions Engineering Manager
YourSix
Category: Frontline

Phillip Heaton
Commercial Success Manager
YourSix
Category: Growth

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Phillip Heaton is the commercial success manager at YourSix, where he drives adoption of cloud-native physical security solutions and ensures customers and partners achieve measurable return on investment from their deployments. In this role, he works closely with stakeholders to maximize value, streamline operations and unlock the full potential of the YourSixOS direct-to-cloud platform. Previously, Heaton served as product manager at YourSix, where he guided product roadmap development, vendor integrations, pricing strategy and training initiatives that shaped the company’s go-to-market approach. Earlier in his career, he developed a strong foundation in technology sales and partner development at ScanSource, where he led Cisco go-to-market and business development teams while managing strategic accounts across multiple regions. Heaton holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of South Carolina and is an Axis Certified Professional.

Anna Hoang
National Sales Manager
Chamberlain Group
Category: Branding

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Anna Hoang is the national sales manager at Chamberlain Group, where she leads strategic partnerships on national accounts for multifamily access solutions. Within a year of joining the organization, she was recognized as the 2025 Top Gun Winner for achieving 167% of the plan, delivering results and making the journey memorable for both team members and clients. With over 15 years of experience in multifamily real estate, proptech and smart access technology, Hoang has built a career for movement of technology into property management. Prior to joining Chamberlain, she held strategic sales roles at SmartRent and iQuue, driving market expansion, channel development and Internet of Things deployment strategies. Hoang’s foundation in multifamily was shaped through more than a decade with Picerne Real Estate Group, where she excelled in sales growth, distressed asset turnaround and team development across multiple states. Passionate about creating seamless resident experiences and empowering property teams, Hoang has consistently championed solutions that blend technology, efficiency and customer value. She continues to make an impact by bringing together innovation, strategy and creative storytelling in the multifamily industry.

Robbie Jefcoat
Director of Customer Success
BadgePass
Category: Culture

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Robbie Jefcoat is the director of customer success at BadgePass, where he has dedicated over 12 years to driving partner and customer success since joining the company straight out of college. Throughout his career, Jefcoat has worn many hats, but his passion lies in empowering the partner channel and delivering an unmatched customer experience. Today, he leads the Customer Success, Marketing and VIP Partner Support teams, focusing on creative, out-of-the-box solutions that drive meaningful change. Jefcoat is known for cultivating a positive, infectious culture that inspires peers, partners and customers alike.

Bethany Kline
Project Leader
M.C. Dean
Category: Growth

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Bethany Kline is a project leader in M.C. Dean’s Security & Electronic Systems business unit, where she manages a multimillion-dollar global electronic security system and network/IT infrastructure program for the U.S. Department of Defense. She oversees a team of more than 90 employees, guiding daily execution, long-term planning and customer engagement. Kline’s leadership has advanced customer relationships, improved workforce development and delivered measurable results including contract extensions, new task orders and system improvements. She began her career at M.C. Dean as an administrative assistant and has grown into a trusted leader recognized for her calm, professional approach and ability to deliver results on complex missions.

Andrew Kowitt
Director of Operations
Grid Squared Systems
Category: Frontline

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For Andrew Kowitt, working in the security industry isn’t just a career—it’s a passion that started more than 13 years ago. His introduction came when his brother asked if he wanted to help with security systems. After crimping his very first BNC connector for a camera, Kowitt was hooked. From that moment, he spent countless days and nights learning, troubleshooting and pushing himself to master every aspect of the field. Over the years, Kowitt has become the person everyone turns to when a tough problem comes up. He still loves the challenge of digging into complicated issues and seeing the relief on a client’s face when everything is resolved. For him, that personal connection—knowing someone feels safe and supported—has always been one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Beyond technical expertise, Kowitt has made mentorship a priority. He’s trained countless technicians, sharing not only “how to get the job done,” but also the importance of high standards and pride in their work. Kowitt’s passion for teaching even extends into local tech schools, where he introduces students to the security world and helps open doors for them to begin their own careers. Today, he wears many hats, one of which is the head of the Security Division—which allows for him to continue in guiding both experienced pros and new technicians through the ever-changing world of technology. Kowitt takes pride in watching them grow, succeed and become “rock stars” in the industry. For him, the security field isn’t just about systems and technology—it’s about people, relationships and making a lasting impact.

Trent Kyle
Service Sales Enablement and Training Manager
Convergint
Category: Growth

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Trent Kyle is a service sales enablement and training manager at Convergint, a global systems integrator focused on delivering results for enterprise customers through service excellence. He has a passion for empowering the service sellers in the United States and Canada to take the reins of their business and helping their customers focus on their core business while maintaining the safest facilities possible. Having been in a service selling role for 15+ years, Kyle has had a mission to not gatekeep the many different avenues of success, and he naturally gravitated towards helping his colleagues across Convergint Nation while still being an active seller himself. He has built credibility with the Service Account Executive team making his assistance with their development even more impactful. Working with his leadership team, Kyle is helping to shape the direction of service growth within Convergint by standing up new training classes with accountability modules to follow up in the months after. Nothing is more exhilarating than to see the colleagues at Convergint start to connect the dots for their own success as well as being more efficient with protecting their customer’s people, property and assets. Having amazing leadership himself that invested in him, Kyle aims to continue this cycle of giving colleagues a path and keys to their own development and success.

Chloe Macgregor
Social Media Manager
HID
Category: Branding

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As social media manager, Chloe MacGregor leads social media strategy and management for HID. With her people-first approach and fresh perspective on security, MacGregor has modernized the company’s social presence and driven significant growth in reach and engagement. She also produces the HID CONNECTS podcast, where she designs and delivers relevant and thought-provoking security industry conversations to new and previously untapped audiences.

Matthew Netardus
Global Senior Product Manager, Access Control
Hanwha Vision
Category: Innovation

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Matthew Netardus is a senior product manager at Hanwha Vision America, where he leads the access control product line, including the OnCAFE software platform. With over 12 years in the electronic security industry, Netardus brings a unique perspective combining deep integration experience with strategic product leadership. Prior to joining Hanwha Vision, he spent 10 years as an integrator, including leadership roles in engineering and programming at Security 101, giving him firsthand understanding of the challenges security professionals face in the field. At Hanwha Vision, Netardus initially focused on artificial intelligence initiatives before transitioning to spearhead the development and market strategy for both access control hardware and the OnCAFE software ecosystem.

Michael Niola
Principal and Co-Founder
The Consulting Group
Category: Leadership

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Michael Niola is a board-certified Physical Security Professional and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design practitioner with nearly two decades of experience shaping and advancing the security design industry. As founder of The Consulting Group, he is recognized as a trusted subject matter expert and thought leader, guiding diverse teams in assessing, planning and delivering integrated security solutions for environments ranging from higher education campuses and health care facilities to civic buildings and mission-critical data centers. Niola’s holistic approach balances operational needs with purpose-driven technology that integrates seamlessly with architecture, ensuring designs foster both dignity and a sense of welcome. Widely respected across the profession, he has authored numerous articles in leading trade publications and presented workshops at national conferences and serves on the Secure Building Council.

Ella Ortenberg
Revenue Strategist
HiveWatch
Category: Growth

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Ella (Raphaela) Ortenberg is a revenue strategist at HiveWatch, where she's been developing strategies to bridge marketing, customer success and sales functions. She is an Arizona State University (ASU) graduate with dean's list recognition who brings fresh perspectives and enthusiasm for continuous learning. Ortenberg’s Google Ads, SEO and B2B Demand Generation certifications reflect her commitment to acquiring skills that support the growth of the company. She values the opportunity to contribute to the security industry through her role at HiveWatch and membership in SIA's RISE and Women in Security Forum communities. Outside work, Ortenberg mentors ASU writing students and fosters rescue dogs, experiences that remind her of the value of teaching and learning simultaneously.

Rachael Paskvan
Senior Manager, Executive Protection and Event Security
Abercrombie & Fitch
Category: Innovation

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Rachael Paskvan is an accomplished security leader, entrepreneur and community advocate dedicated to empowering others through her work and platform, Femme Force. With over a decade of experience in the security industry, she has held global leadership roles, including overseeing executive protection and travel operations at Meta, and currently serves as executive protection and event security specialist at Abercrombie & Fitch. Paskvan began her career as one of the few women in the bodyguard profession, providing protection at high-profile events worldwide. Beyond her corporate career, she is the founder of Femme Force, a platform amplifying women’s voices through a podcast, workshops and speaking engagements. Deeply committed to philanthropy and leadership development, Paskvan lends her time and expertise to initiatives that uplift communities and create opportunities for growth. Known for her resilience, vision and passion for inclusion, she continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Shakirra Patel
Regional Director, Global Accounts, Europe
Convergint
Category: Leadership

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Shakirra Patel is regional director for the United Kingdom and Ireland at Convergint, where she focuses on driving growth, supporting clients and building trusted partnerships. Her career is defined by her ability to strengthen client relationships and deliver measurable impact across the security industry. Alongside her leadership role at Convergint, Patel serves as a board director for ASIS UK’s NextGen initiative. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in driving diversity and inclusion across the profession, spearheading mentorship programs and organizing industry events that give emerging talent the tools and networks they need to succeed.

Vinny Peone
Director of Marketing
Eastern Security Services
Category: Branding

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Starting as a security technician and now a 3× SAMMY Award winner, Vinny Peone is the director of marketing at Eastern Security Services. He is also the co-founder of Ignite Strategic, where he partners with top security companies to elevate their branding, content and marketing initiatives.

Michelle Quinn
Finance Director
HID
Category: Leadership

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Michelle Quinn is the finance director for the Secure Issuance business within HID. She is stepping into an exciting and challenging new role as strategy director for the business starting in October. In her new role, Quinn will be responsible for supporting the leadership team with the development and execution of the business strategy. She has over six years of experience working in the security industry in various roles. Quinn holds a Bachelor of Corporate Law, is a qualified accountant and is currently pursuing a diploma in project management.

Sahiti Ravi
Senior Project Engineer
dormakaba
Category: Culture

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Sahiti Ravi works as a project engineer III in product development at dormakaba. She holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and an undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering. At dormakaba, Ravi focuses on developing designs that enhance security and convenience to optimize entry systems, along with performing simulations and testing to ensure seamless design integration. Through her work, she aims to create seamless and secure entry experiences while embracing the latest advancements in the field. Beyond her core role, Ravi serves as an AmbassadHER as part of the SIA Women in Security Forum and volunteers as a webmaster for the Society of Women Engineers in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, region helping connect and empower women engineers through digital engagement. In her previous roles, she also actively volunteered in engagement and culture/social committees, something she has always been passionate about, as it fosters inclusion, engagement and a positive work environment. Throughout her career, Ravi has worked across multiple industries, leading hands-on projects and contributing to research that has driven product innovation, improved process efficiency and supported business growth. She has also taken an active role in social and culture committees, driven by a belief in inclusive workplaces where people feel connected and empowered. Ravi’s journey in engineering continues to be fueled by curiosity, a love for problem solving and a commitment to making a meaningful impact both through her work and through advocacy.

Karlie Turner
Digital Marketing Specialist, Swell Marketing
PSA
Category: Innovation

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Karlie Turner is a digital marketing specialist at Swell Marketing, a PSA Security Network agency, where she develops content strategies, manages search engine optimization and creates digital campaigns that elevate security industry brands. With a background in journalism, content marketing and internal communications, she blends storytelling with data-driven insights to help businesses connect meaningfully with their audiences. Beyond her core role, Turner has built and maintained multiple websites, authored award-winning case studies and supported organizations through strategic digital transformation. She continually explores how emerging technologies, including AI, are reshaping SEO, content strategy and digital marketing best practices. A dedicated lifelong learner, Turner is passionate about innovation, accessibility and helping organizations amplify their voice.

Tre Washington
CEO
Integrated Information Systems
Category: Leadership

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Tre Washington is the CEO and vice president of sales at Integrated Information Systems (IIS), a family-owned security, AV and IT company based in North Carolina. At IIS, he has introduced new technologies, improved workflows and updated procedures that strengthen how projects are sold, delivered and supported. With experience from field roles to executive leadership, Washington leads a hands-on, client-focused culture that builds expertise, strengthens partnerships and unites teams. He holds an MBA from East Carolina University and a BSBA from North Carolina State University, along with industry certifications including CTS-D, PSP and a broad range of manufacturer credentials. Washington is active in advancing both the industry and his community. As North Carolina state coordinator for the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, he leads statewide operations to restore communications in areas impacted by disasters. Washington also contributes to the AVIXA Rising Professionals Council, mentors through ASIS International, is a member of the NC TECH Advisory Council and the National Small Business Association and serves on his town’s planning board and on the board of adjustments for his home county.

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