Virtual Town Hall: “Women in Sports & Entertainment Security – Taking Charge and Making a Difference”

On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 1:00 PM CT, the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX), , will host a virtual town hall titled “Women in Sports & Entertainment Security – Taking Charge and Making a Difference.” 

This will be the third installment of the IIFX Town Hall series featuring women in sports and entertainment security and made possible through a collaboration with the Security Industry Association’s Women in Security Forum. 

"Our Women in Sports & Entertainment Security Town Hall events feature impressive women leading the way in the sports and entertainment industry," said Kasia Hanson, Chair of the Security Industry Association Women in Security Forum. "Our distinguished panel will discuss their leadership experiences, the pressing safety, security and risk management challenges that women leaders are addressing today and the future of women leaders in sports and entertainment." 

This Town Hall event is for security, safety, and risk management professionals, venue and event managers, team leaders and staff, managers, supervisors, incident managers and human capital managers associated with sports and entertainment venues. 

"We are always thrilled to host this Town Hall event in association with the Security Industry Association Women in Security Forum," said Dr. Lou Marciani, Director and Co-Founder of IIFX. "Sports stadiums and entertainment venues in 2030 will feature different talent, fans, and staff than we see today. Our Town Hall series features programs to inspire the next generation of young women who will lead the sports and entertainment industry." 

Registration is now open for this free event 

To register for the event, visit https://iifx.org/events/. Registrants can submit questions for the experts during the registration process.  

The Town Hall is part of IIFX's FANCENTRIC^TM series of podcasts and forums and is complimentary to all who can benefit from attending. It features visionary industry thought leaders, advanced practitioners, academics, authors, technologists and fans from around the world. 

The audience will pose questions to IIFX’s distinguished panel of experts, who will draw on their experience to frame today’s security environment and how a new generation of women can take charge and make a difference.  

Meet the Town Hall Panel: 

Kasia Hanson – Global Director of Video | Security | Venues @Intel Corporation.  

Kasia Hanson is a highly accomplished professional in the security industry. She is the Chair of the Security Industry Association’s Women in Security Forum, the 2022 SIA Progress Award Recipient, a Women in Security Power 100 honoree, ISJ Top Security Influencer, a Distinguished Fellow for the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX), and she was named the #3 IFSEC Security Influencer in 2021. Kasia will moderate the Town Hall, bringing her wealth of experience and expertise to the discussion. 

Sheryl Pinckney-Maas – CEO and Founder of Guardian Zone, LLC

Sheryl Pinckney-Maas is the CEO and Founder of Guardian Zone, LLC, a Texas-based technology company and leading provider of crowd-sourced security solutions. Her company was the first to address the public-private challenges at large public venues. The Guardian Zone solution includes an innovative security mobile app and software platform that bridges the communication gap between on-site security, law enforcement, and the public during an emergency. Sheryl created Guardian Zone by leveraging her 25 years of experience as a U.S. diplomat living and working in six international countries. As a Senior Foreign Service Officer, she was a member of the U.S. Embassy’s Emergency Action Committee and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Trade Administration’s local Overseas Security Advisory Council representative. Sheryl is an active member of ASIS, SIA, WISF, IIFX and NCS4. She is a recipient of the SIA Woman in Security Forum Power 100.

Mariah Barber – Director, Safety and Security for Pacers Sports and Entertainment (PS&E)

Mariah Barber, a native of Hammond, IN, has made Indianapolis, Indiana her home for the past decade. She attended Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) for her undergraduate and graduate studies, where she received degrees in Public Safety Management. She is currently the Director of Safety and Security for Pacers Sports and Entertainment (PS&E). In her role, Mariah helps to maintain the safety and security of the PS&E campus and supports the countless events hosted at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Additionally, she has served on the Local Organizing Committee for some of the city’s most significant sporting events, including March Madness, the Men’s and Women’s Big 10 Basketball Tournaments and the upcoming 2024 NBA All-Star Game. 

Holli Draines – CEO, Elite Strategy Global, Inc.

Holli Draines, an established black female business leader, has been a proponent of diversity and inclusivity at Elite Strategy Global (ESG). Her leadership has helped the company break down barriers created by dated thinking, prejudices and social inequality. Holli has spearheaded several security and risk management projects and has successfully formulated effective security protocols that align with business and safety standards, mitigating risks and preventing business disruptions, saving organizations both time and resources. Her solid track record as a Security Professional is evidenced by nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement with the majority of her tenure in executive protection, including high-asset facility protection/control and personal security of national/global government officials. The diverse mix of talented security and information technology professionals who are part of the ESG brand has been actively changing the security industry narrative from less diverse to a more open and inclusive field for individuals judged by their talent and experience rather than their appearance.  

Save the date and join us FREE of charge by registering HERE.