​GAIL ESSEN, CPP, PSP, is President of Professional Security Advisors, a women-and-diversity-owned firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gail serves as a member of the Board of Directors for ASIS International and previously led the global Women In Security Council. ​

Q. What does ASIS mean to you? 

A. ASIS is a core pillar of my success. It provides a global network of experts and innovators that others seek to mirror. ASIS enlarges my sphere of influence and opens doors of opportunity.​

Q. Advice for your younger self?

A. Balance work and family better, schedule business travel around the kids’ milestone events, and highlight weekends with quality playtime.  

​Q. Advice for new folks in the industry?

A. Develop a broad network of friends and colleagues by serving others. Check your motives in actions, words, and deeds to minimize self-promotion and purposely help others.  

Q. A mentor who inspired you?

A. Brian Dunn provided fatherlike encouragement coupled with a tough-love temperament. Brian sent me to my first ASIS meeting. Q. Describe yourself in 25 words or less.

A. I am a servant leader who rises and falls with my team. I surpass goals, but do not expect perfection because mistakes afford growth.