‘Giving their time and support’ - Mission 500 mentor auction to help children in need

ORLANDO, Fla.—The item up for bid at Mission 500’s upcoming silent auction is not really an item in the literal sense – it’s an opportunity to spend invaluable time with some of the security industry’s top leaders.  

The industry's non-profit organization is hosting a mentor auction during the Global Women in Security Gala on Sept. 21, at The Westgate Resort in Orlando, Fla., just two days before the start of Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2024.  

“It’s great to see our industry giving their time and support,” said Janet Fenner, Mission 500 co-chair. “Companies and individuals can bid to gain career advice, showcase their products, enjoy personal interactions with industry leaders, and understand their motivations.” 

Bidding will start at $100, with the top five bidders scoring an exclusive virtual or in-person one-hour session with a mentor of their choice on a day or time selected by the bidder and his/her mentor. All bids/proceeds will benefit underprivileged children across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.  

The mentor auction has gained traction on social media since the announcement was made on Sept. 9, with one mentor offering two hours of extra time for one-on-one sessions if they are chosen from the five winning bids, and another mentor offering a free managed services client platform for one year, valued at $1.2 million.  

“This is a great gift for your team, your kids, yourself,” Larson added. “Need a new resume, want tips on interviewing, selling, managing, leading? Learn from the best and brightest while supporting kids in need.” 

The list of volunteer mentors features a who’s who of the security industry’s best and brightest leaders: 

Aaron Allen, CTO, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety; Matt Barnette, president, PSA Network; Rebecca Bayne, president, Bayne Consulting; Tom Cook, executive VP, Hanwha Vision; Lynn de Seve, president, GSA Schedules; Ken Francis, former president, Eagle Eye Networks; Alice DiSanto, VP of global marketing, Rajant Corp.; Jumbi Edulbehram, global business development, smart cities and spaces, NVIDIA; Janet Fenner, president, Defined Marketing; Ken Gould, president, Ken Gould Consulting; James Gross, CEO, BCD; Kasia Hanson, global senior director, security ecosystems development and partnerships, Intel; Tracy Larson, president, WeSuite; John Loud, president, LOUD Security Systems; Elisa Mula, president, EMD; Martin Huddart, SVP, access control, HID; Fredrik Nilsson, VP of the Americas, Axis Communications; Dan O’Neill, CEO, ADRM; Lee Odess, CEO, Access Control Executive Brief; John Nemerofsky, COO, SAGE Integration; Mary Beth Shaughnessy, event VP, ISC Security Events; Tony Sorrentino, president, ScanSource; John Sullivan, SVP, strategic sales, ADI Global Distribution; and Tim Wenzel, associate managing director, ESRM, Kroll.  

Those who cannot attend the mentor auction in person can still place their highest bid by emailing Tristin Vaccaro, Mission 500 community engagement coordinator, at tristin@mission500.org prior to Sept. 21.