BOCA RATON, Fla. — We continue our Women in Security series with Mallory Pernai, director of communications for Everon, a newcomer to the industry in terms of the age of the rebranded company itself but not based on the experienced leaders at the helm.
Here’s her story in her own words as we continue our celebration of International Women’s History Month.
Security Sales & Integration: How did you get into the security industry?
Mallory Pernai: I actually got started right out of college, working in a boutique PR firm in Chicago that was built around a number of commercial security clients. During my tenure there, I had the opportunity to work with a wide range of security-focused accounts – from integrators to manufacturers and more – and the diversity of that experience has proven invaluable as I’ve leveled up in my career.
Especially in leading communications, that early-career exposure to multiple facets of the industry was critical in framing the industry knowledge that’s driven my growth.
SSI: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your security industry career?
Pernai: It’s no mystery that this is a highly male-dominated field, and finding supportive systems that not only include women, but aim to uplift them can be a huge challenge. It’s often not even a matter of getting a seat at the table – it can be a struggle to even get in the room first.
I’ve found, with intentional mentorship and identifying organizations and leadership that are inclusive in their values, you can be assured that your voice isn’t only heard, but championed.
SSI: Whom would you point to as the most influential and helpful mentors in your career? What did they do to help you?
Pernai: Lynda Murphy gave me my start at her agency, Murphy Knott Public Relations, and having the chance to be in her orbit as a confident leader fully immersed in the industry completely changed the trajectory of my career.
She was a fierce advocate for attracting more women to the industry, and her willingness to provide me with purposeful opportunities and experiences so early on is a large part of the reason I’m in the position I am today. I can’t overstate the level of impact and influence she had in developing my professional persona.
SSI: What is your proudest career accomplishment?
Pernai: We just went through an incredible transformation over the past year in spinning off Everon to be a standalone company, introducing a completely new brand and presence to the industry. While it was a truly monumental effort, it presented an opportunity unlike any I’ve experienced in my career.
Getting to be a part of that shift, to own that messaging, and to communicate it out to our customers and industry peers – it’s not an experience that will be easily replicated. But perhaps the best part was the team we accomplished it with. We’re a team made up entirely of women leaders, led by our chief marketing officer, Beth Tarnoff.
It’s a huge point of pride that I can share in that success with her and my fellow marketing and communications team leaders – Holly Sanson, Melanie Courey, Brittany Dupree, Stephanie Latimer, Sarah Empson and Crystal Hampel. We launched a futureproof, modern brand with incredible speed and that’s all a credit to them and our amazing team.
SSI: What do you love most about working in the security industry?
Pernai: We say it often, but it’s always worth recognizing the privilege we have in this industry in being able to protect people’s lives and livelihoods. Knowing that my work directly supports efforts to create safer environments and communities is incredibly fulfilling.
The responsibility is great, but so is the reward of making a tangible difference every day.
SSI: How can the security industry become even better?
Pernai: We need to keep striving for inclusivity and diversity of thought, perspectives, and knowledge as we look towards the future. This can be applied to how companies run their organizations, how we approach our customers and their security programs, how we view technologies – encouraging a diverse industry only serves to propel us forward.
Click here to read our entire Women in Security Q&A series!
