Female Leadership in Critical Infrastructure Protection
This dynamic panel of female leaders at the forefront of critical infrastructure protection in downtown Detroit, Michigan, will provide an inside look at the essential role of teamwork and collaboration in safeguarding the city’s key assets. From transportation hubs and public spaces to major entertainment venues and essential utilities, this session will explore the city’s complex security challenges while addressing women under representation in the security industry.
Panelists will share their experiences navigating the evolving threat landscape, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors. At the same time, speakers will highlight the importance of including female perspectives among leadership teams and breaking down the barriers that may impede them from sharing valuable expertise. Gain actionable insights into leadership in security, resilience planning and emergency response – while celebrating the vital role women play in shaping the future of critical infrastructure protection.
Speakers
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Melissa LesperanceDirector of the District Command Center, Ilitch Holdings/Olympia EntertainmentMelissa Lesperance is the director of the District Command Center security operations at Ilitch Holdings, Inc./Olympia Development of Michigan. She has held this position since May 2017. Lesperance began her career in law enforcement in 1996 at the Wayne State University Police Department, where she served as a student assistant cadet and was hired full time as a public safety dispatcher upon graduating from Wayne State in 1999. Lesperance has extensive experience in corporate security technology and operations. In 2014, she accepted the position of director of security systems at the University of Chicago’s Department of Safety and Security, where she was responsible for implementing security technology and ensuring the safety of students, staff and faculty at the main campus and eight extension campuses across the world. In her current role, Lesperance is responsible for and oversees all District Command Center Operations and supervises operations at partner Ilitch Company command centers as well. She oversees the security portion of fire life safety for all Ilitch owned venues, all security-related executive communications, criminal investigations, alarm monitoring for all venues and response for all equipped Little Caesars stores and Blue Line Distribution centers in the continental United States. Lesperance also works in partnership with local law enforcement on criminal investigations, intelligence gathering and dissemination and other professional sports league requirements. Lesperance graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a two-year post-bachelor’s certificate in forensic investigation. She also obtained a project management certificate from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in leadership development from St. Mary of the Woods. Lesperance is currently pursuing a global studies program in international security at Harvard University.
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Jenn BobinSecurity Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency -
Lashinda StairDirector, North America Industry Team, Vice President, Motorola Solutions -
Whitney WaltonDirector of Security, Marathon Oil