International Women's Day 2023
Meet the Women Making a Difference in the AV Industry
Join Edge in celebration of the women making a difference in the audio-visual (AV) industry in honor of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 and Women’s History Month throughout March.
This year, Edge asked the women at member companies and employees to reflect on their most memorable achievements during their careers in the AV industry and advice they would like to share with women considering a career in AV. Edge heard from women who are industry veterans and those new to the industry. At Edge, we proudly acknowledge women in AV and create a spotlight to support and celebrate their achievements and contributions to the industry.
Tina Peters
Executive Vice President at SVT (Sport View Television)
Tina has been in the AV industry for 18 years.
“My most memorable achievement in the industry is being featured in Commercial Integrator’s 40 Influencers Under 40: The Class of 2018. When I started as a young woman in this industry, I found that I would come across people who did not take me seriously or did not realize my capability. To overcome that, I made sure to always be on top of my game when it came to communication and understating. Once those that doubted me saw how capable I was in my position, they no longer questioned me.
My current leader, Josh Shanahan, has taught me so much since I joined the SVT family. His guidance and support have really helped me to grow as a professional. The industry and technology are always changing. You will never be bored in this industry as there is always something new to learn.”
Shital Botadra
AV Administration Team Lead at Red Thread Spaces LLC
“I joined the AV industry almost seven years ago. The AV integration industry is evolving at a tremendous pace and requires people like me to constantly adapt to its demands, so pointing at a particular achievement is difficult as it is a constant learning curve. The prospect of an advanced industry where employees are given opportunities to tackle new challenges enthralls me.
For the past seven years, I have moved from being an AV sales coordinator at Red Thread to AV administration team lead, and every role has its own challenges. I am constantly trying to adapt my organization based on other personalities and requirements, making focus during stressful situations a necessary trait. Growing up, I’d always taken an interest in puzzles and brain games, which are essentially replicated through my work. As it appeals to my hobbies, I don’t view work as solely a requirement but also an opportunity to develop and have fun.
My husband, Sunil Botadra who has been in the industry for over 25 years, makes my venture into the industry seem fated. Thanks to constant encouragement and beneficial connections, I now find myself as an operative in the industry.
There are many great things about being in the AV industry such as opportunities for creativity, constant innovation, variety of work, collaborative environment and sense of satisfaction.
Overall, the AV industry offers a dynamic and exciting career path for women with a passion for creativity and innovation.”
Julie Kolb
Director of Administration and Operations at Trinity Dynamics
“My most memorable achievement during my 23 years in the AV industry is managing a $40 million contract the company held with the FBI. I’ve met so many people in the industry and been involved in so many different and fun projects along the way. I had to find ways to prove myself to men in the industry, especially the older population. I didn’t let it deter me though, and I just kept pushing forward with my ideas for organizational and process improvements along the way. I would look for weaknesses within the company that I could help to improve, which provided value to everyone. I was lucky that most listened the first time.
I never really came across women in the AV industry until attending Edge (formerly USAV) events. It was refreshing to see the shared experiences when I attended those meetings! I absolutely love the different types of people that are in this industry. There are so many personalities I work with daily, and it makes my job much easier. You get to meet so many people that really know how to work as a team with technology, which as we all know changes every day, so working with creative minds is an amazing opportunity, regardless of the role you serve in the organization.”
Summer Vyne
CEO at AnuVision Technologies Inc.
“I am proud to have achieved significant growth for one of my companies. Taking it from zero revenue and no brand recognition to a staggering $35 million in just under three years. My drive and determination poised me in my early years in the industry to win and close a project of over 4,000 classrooms installs, even while pregnant and facing the challenges of motherhood. I persevered and completed one of the final submissions from the office, while in labor. I did make it to the hospital in time and got a call a few days later, we had won the project.
As a woman in the AV Industry, I have faced numerous challenges due to its male-dominated landscape. Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, the industry remains predominantly male, which can sometimes make it difficult for young women to be taken seriously and to advance in their careers. There have been instances where I have faced gender-based bias or unequal treatment, which can be discouraging. I cannot count how many times I was put in situations where I was afraid to even tell my significant other about. You learn to ignore these uncomfortable situations and treat them as a normal day at the office. I felt the only way to not hurt my career was to act like they never happened. I look back today and think that if I had handled many of those situations differently, I may no longer be in this industry. However, I believe that it is important to remain steadfast and to continue to push forward by working harder, being confident and showing my capabilities. I hope to break down the barriers and stereotypes that still exist and to pave the way for other women to succeed in the industry without these uncomfortable missteps. I am proud to be a woman in a male dominated industry, and I am determined to succeed despite the challenges I may face. Today is a very different day for women in the industry and the growing success of many women is proof, times are changing.
For close to a decade, I was fortunate enough to work under the ownership of a renowned national AV integrator. Despite my lack of prior experience, he took me under his wing and provided invaluable mentorship and guidance. He has had a profound impact on my career, both positively and negatively, and I am grateful for the lessons he has taught me.
For women considering careers in AV, the best thing about the industry is the opportunity to make a significant impact and to be part of growing and exciting industry. AV Technology is constantly evolving, and there is always something new to learn and explore. Additionally, women in the AV industry have the chance to work on a wide range of projects, from sales to design and installing cutting edge audio and visual systems, to creating immersive experiences for events, to developing innovative solutions for clients in a variety of industries. The work can be challenging, but it is also highly rewarding, as you have the opportunity to bring your creative vision to life and to make a lasting impact on the projects. Overall, the AV industry offers a dynamic and constantly evolving work environment, as well as opportunities for personal and professional growth, which makes it highly rewarding and fulfilling career choice for women.”
Cheryl Walton
Director of Business Development at Edge
“My most memorable achievement over the last 20 years in the AV industry is coming to Edge and being able to use my entire background and experiences from working for a top manufacturer, an integrator and a top distributor in this industry. The challenges I’ve faced prior to joining Edge included losing a job, completely changing industries for a minute and then finding my way back to AV with the help of the relationships I’ve built along the way.
I’ve had so many role models in the industry over the years. Too many to name but there are quite a few women that I have met and still know who continue to inspire and guide me every day from all our integrators and partners. For women considering careers in AV, the relationships and friendships that you will develop from across the people in this industry are amazing! The support to excel, grow and forge ahead is the best out there!”
Candice Aragon
Vice President of Marketing and Education at Edge/PSA
“My most memorable achievement is rebranding USAV to Edge! We did the entire process ourselves without a branding agency and are very happy with the results.
Learning the industry has been the biggest learning curve. I came from consumer marketing in banking and had a lot to learn. Especially when it came to writing articles, etc. Luckily, the network of people is amazing. Everyone has been welcoming, supportive and I’ve learned a lot!
So many amazing women I work with in Edge’s network like Cheryl Walton, Christine DeBono, Debbie Williamson and Kristen Spiewak. To name a few! They are all trailblazers who are happy to support other women, care deeply about AV and are extremely inventive. Likewise, I lead a group of amazing women at PSA/Edge who I learn from every day. They work hard, care about each other, are creative, supportive and just kick a** all around.
For women considering careers in AV, I think I’ve made it obvious already. THE PEOPLE! This a fun, supportive industry of people working to advance technology, approve the function of spaces and more.”
Kristie Kidder
Director of Marketing and Communications at Edge/PSA
“When I started working in the AV industry in 2006, it looked very different than today! My experiences as a marketing communications manager, outside sales executive and technology trainer in the industry truly have been an asset, and the learning never ends. This industry allowed me to diversify and specialize in different areas, vertical markets, technologies and more.
There are many memorable achievements during my time in marketing and business development. Successfully transitioning into an outside sales role from marketing communications is my most memorable achievement. Many false assumptions exist about women versus men in marketing, especially in technology companies. When we’re young we often believe it’s because of our age, but the challenges are even greater as women climb the ladder. To overcome challenges as a young professional, I earned many certifications, immersed myself in education of the solutions, worked with male and female mentors and took a huge risk! It paid off, literally!
Marketing communications is a passion for me, so I returned to the field with experiences that made me an even stronger marketing professional. I would not have had the success I did if it weren’t for several women and men. For example, Stephenie Scanlon, Michelle Oswald-Bianchet and Brenda Brook were strong role models and exemplified why women need a voice at the table and how to make that happen. Sonny Lastrella, Dan Waltens and Jim Calhoun pushed me to learn the technology, design systems and develop solutions. The people and experiences in the AV industry have been a blessing!”
Taylor Lampar
Marketing Coordinator at Edge/PSA
“My most memorable achievement is being featured in the Commercial Integrator’s 40 Influencers Under 40: The Class of 2022 and being part of the team that rebranded USAV to Edge. New to the industry, my biggest challenge was gaining as much knowledge as I could as quickly as possible. There is a lot to learn and understand; the AV industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving. I’m learning something new every day!
Over my two years in the AV industry, my role models include Candice Aragon, Brittany Board, Cheryl Walton and Kristie Kidder at Edge/PSA Network. They are inspirational, providing guidance and support, which gives me the confidence to tackle any obstacle I encounter. In addition, I’m grateful for the amazing marketing team I have the pleasure to work with! This team is a dream team with trivial bandwidth and the amount of work we are given, we always execute the tasks at hand.
For women considering careers in AV, the industry has a fun atmosphere, which can be credited to the people making a world of difference when engaging and networking with them. I had the opportunity to attend my first InfoComm tradeshow in June of 2022 where I witnessed incredible demonstrations of new and innovative technology on the show floor with a lot of passion behind it.”
EDGE WOMEN’S SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
Today, Edge is excited to announce the Women in AV Special Interest Group (SIG)! Members from Edge and PSA's highly accomplished dealers and vendor network are invited to share knowledge, foster collaboration, develop resources and establish industry best practices for navigating the marketplace in key areas such as the following insights:
Attracting next generation women leaders to AV.
Addressing unconscious biases in AV.
Navigating challenging workplace situations.
Professional development for women leaders.
Harnessing the attributes of femininity to improve the AV industry.
WOMEN IN AV RESEARCH BY WAVE
It is well-known the AV industry is male dominated; however, the industry has evolved over the past decade due to the women, male allies and advocacy groups in the industry like Women in AV (WAVE). Founded in 2011, WAVE focuses on supporting, recognizing and advancing underrepresented females in the AV industry. In 2020, WAVE was the first-ever to conduct research based on the reflection of professional women in the AV industry and in hopes of attracting more women to pursue careers in the industry. With 506 voluntary women participants, the following results indicate the largest percentage of each category:
80% of women identify as White/Caucasian
31% of women are aged 46-plus
30% of women have been in the industry between 0-4 years
60% of women hold a supervisory or management position
21% of women working in AV industry are employed by manufacturers
67% of women fell into the AV industry
52% of women feel the AV industry could be better at valuing women’s representation and diversity
44% of women do not have a mentor and those who do, count men-only as their advisors.
*To review the 2020 Female Representation in AV Study by Women in AV (WAVE), view here.