The future’s so bright, I’ve gotta wear shades

Ah yes, I’m channeling Timbuk 3 and the band’s only hit from 1986 to represent the excitement I’m feeling after the recent unveiling of the second annual Security Systems News Emerging Leaders Under 40 digital yearbook!  

This stellar Class of 2025 features 16 of the most talented, dedicated, hardworking security professionals in the industry right now, each of whom has already made quite an impact not only on the companies they work for, but also the industry as a whole.

I say this every year - and this goes back to when our awards program selected “40 Under 40” winners on an annual basis – it is extremely difficult to pare down the list of nominees we receive each year to come up with the final list of winners.

Whether it’s colleagues who submit nominations, or those who nominate themselves for consideration, we read each entry very carefully to capture the essence of why each nominee should be selected as an emerging leader.

The Class of 2024 Emerging Leaders Under 40 featured 12 winners. This year, we chose 16 winners (eight women and eight men) because, to be totally honest, we simply could not cut down any further due to the high caliber of nominees submitted.

Without revealing names, we’ll give you examples of what some colleagues said when asked why their coworkers should be selected as an Emerging Leader Under 40.

One colleague said of her nominee, “Her hard work and commitment to providing dealers with top-of-the-line service and information is astounding. She has worked to stay on top of new procedures and collaborate with our team so that we can continue to improve the dealer experience. She is never too busy to lend a hand to make sure that our dealers feel heard and get the service they want.”

Another colleague, who works at a different company than his nominee, noted how this person “is rapidly establishing himself as a dynamic and influential leader under 40.”  

“With a keen strategic vision and a collaborative approach, he has successfully spearheaded numerous innovative projects that have significantly impacted this industry,” he stated. “His ability to inspire and motivate his team, coupled with his commitment to continuous learning and development, sets him apart as a forward-thinking leader. As he continues to break new ground, he exemplifies the qualities of a transformative leader poised to shape the future.”

Hard work and commitment. Top-of-the-line service. Dynamic and influential. Forward-thinking. Transformative. These key words from industry colleagues are what makes someone an emerging leader.

Now let’s hear from a few members of the Class of 2025 talking about themselves after the yearbook was launched.

Kelsey Carnell, regional sales manager for Axis Communications, could not contain her excitement being included among other emerging leaders.

“My goal each day is to simply make a difference in the world,” she said. “I’m so thankful for nine amazing years in this industry - an industry that has opened my eyes to the greater community, amazing customers, mentors, friends and thought leaders that strive to make the world a better place!”

Will Gary, territory sales specialist for Silent Guard, exclaimed, “It’s an honor to be highlighted with a tremendous group of industry peers!”

Heather Ferrara, national account executive for COPS Monitoring, praised her fellow honorees by stating, “All of you are talented visionaries and I'm even more inspired after reading your stories.”

And to read the stories of our 16 Emerging Leaders Under 40, just visit this link: https://digital.securitysystemsnews.com/2025-emerging-leader-under-40/page-1.

After reading these inspiring stories, and you are motivated to nominate a colleague or feel that you have what it takes to be an emerging leader, nominations for the Class of 2026 will open in the fall.

In the meantime, with the security industry’s future so bright, time to put on those shades.