About Speaker

Jessica Johnson-Cope is CEO of Johnson Security Bureau, a third-generation security firm in New York City. She assumed leadership from her dying father in 2008, learning executive presence through necessity—not just leading security operations, but earning respect from clients, competitors and her own team.

Johnson-Cope's experience spans:
-30+ years in security leadership, building relationships with Fortune 500 corporations and managing complex security operations
-National advocacy work as chair of the National Leadership Council for 10,000 small businesses voices
-Board service and mentorship through the NYS Security Guard Advisory Council, NYS Workforce Investment Board and multiple business development programs
-Media presence featured in Businessweek, Fortune, Inc., Morning Joe and MSNBC’s "Your Business”

She has learned executive presence by doing the hard work: selling ideas to skeptical clients, managing workplace conflicts, building credibility in rooms where she wasn't expected and balancing business leadership with family responsibilities.