Recorded Event: A Collective Perspective on Why Representation Matters for Recruitment and Retention

Throughout the month of June, celebrations commemorating African American freedom occur all over the world. The holiday emphasizes education and achievement within the Black community, while promoting cultural understanding.

Convergint Unify, a Black affinity group, hosted a panel discussion with Black professionals from both inside and outside the technology industry to gain an understanding of how opportunity and representation shaped their decisions and impacted their careers. The panel discussion led by Dr. Angela Taylor has allowed viewers to better understand and embrace experiences from the perspective of a high performing manager, an executive, and two entrepreneurs. This event has provided insights and strategies to help the security and life safety industry hire, retain, and promote an equitable workforce.

During the Collective Perspective webinar, panelists discussed: Save

Convergint Unify is an affinity group whose objectives are to help create a more inclusive work environment by providing education and support surrounding topics that affect Black colleagues, promote a respectful workplace, and advance internal and external diversity initiatives. Visit the Inclusion & Diversity page to discover more Convergint affinity groups and initiatives.

Sheryl Pinckney-Maas is the CEO and Founder of Guardian Zone, LLC, a technology company in Colleyville, Texas that is a leading provider of crowd-sourced security solutions. Sheryl has launched a cutting-edge security mobile app and software platform that fortifies public safety. Her company is first in the market to invent a mobile software solution for businesses, schools and venues that creates an open and secure community allowing any smartphone user with the app to automatically connect with on-site security officials. Guardian Zone answers the question that many property owners, venue managers, corporate and educational institution security officers have at medium and large public places, “How do we facilitate a safe environment for staff and visitors during an emergency?”

Sheryl created Guardian Zone by leveraging her 25 years’ experience as a U.S. Diplomat and Senior Commercial Officer living and working in six international markets: China, South Africa, Mexico, The Netherlands, Jordan and Peru. As a senior officer, she was a member of the Embassy’s Emergency Action Committee and the International Trade Administration’s representative on the Overseas Security Advisory Council, where she worked closely with U.S. based companies’ overseas operations. Using her experience of living in high threat and high crime countries, she has taken more than two decades of knowledge and created a security solution for today’s corporate, educational and entertainment industries.

Sheryl Pinckney-Maas

CEO & Founder, Guardian Zone LLC

Darryl Castellano

Vice President of Global Inclusion, Diversity, & Engagement, WESCO Distribution

Darryl has 21 years of progressive strategic HR leadership. He has enjoyed learning and growing within 4 preeminent organizations in retail, banking, and from a leading Fortune 200 global Electrical/Electronic Supply distribution organization. Darryl is a collaborative team leader that embraces diversity of experience and thought so that colleagues can ultimately support and drive company strategies in the most effective manner possible. Darryl’s professional specialties include inclusion, diversity, engagement, strategic workforce planning, HR planning, change management, performance management, talent management, and multi-unit operations management.

Trudy Bourgeois is a global leader and entrepreneur with over 38 years’ experience transforming organizations. She has devoted the past 20 years of her career advising CEO’s and C-Suite Leaders such as PepsiCo, Intel, Facebook, Kellogg’s, Google and many other Fortune 100 companies build and implement cultural transformation and inclusion strategies. As founder and CEO of The Center for Workforce Excellence, she is passionate about leading a purpose driven company that builds inclusive leaders and cultures to deliver better business results. She is a trusted advisor to CEO’s and C-Suite who want to understand and want to address the complexities of human capital and culture.

Most recently Trudy was featured in the Women Industry Era Leaders Magazine as one of the 10 most successful CEO’s of 2021 as well D CEO Magazine “Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas Forth Worth”. Trudy was previously recognized by Dallas CEO Magazine in 2021, Dollars & Sense Magazine, and multiple other organizations as a valued and powerful business leader to watch. She has authored and co-authored four leadership books, contributed as writer for many articles and blogs including the Harvard Business Review. She is considered a subject matter expert in equity and equality and speakers around the world at conferences on topics such as organizational transformation, diversity, equity and inclusion and the glass ceiling. She is frequently featured as a guest on multiple podcasts.

Trudy Bourgeois

CEO & Founder, The Center for Workforce Excellence Inc

Angie Taylor

President & CEO, Guardian Quest Inc

Angie Taylor is a visionary, energetic professional with 15+ years of experience in leadership, consulting, and training. She has experience connecting community interests to organizational goals with an ability to coach and mentor new and experienced leaders to achieve elevated levels of greatness. Angie is currently the President and CEO of Guardian Quest, Inc. In this role, she is focused on consulting with and training businesses, governmental agencies, and non-profits in areas of leadership, diversity & inclusion, community relations, and team development. Angie Taylor completed her studies at the University of Nevada, Reno and has a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Khaliah is a service supervisor committed to excellent customer service with over 15 years of experience in the Electronic Security, Fire Alarm, & Life Safety industry. Khaliah is highly proficient in planning/scheduling, communication, and data analysis. Khaliah has several years of experience working in a leadership role for administrative and field technician teams. Additionally, Khaliah has 2 years of Account Executive experience, driving $1.5M in annual B2B sales.

Khaliah Jackson

Service Supervisor, Convergint

Jakayla Storey

Account Manager, Insight Global

Jakayla Storey is an account manager at Insight Global, a staffing company dedicated to empowering people through the value of opportunity.