The Security Industry Association (SIA) created a new Retail Security Advisory Board and opened a call for SIA member volunteers to join. The expert-led group will advise the association and the SIA Board of Directors on key retail security topics, work to expand SIA’s influence and expertise in this area and advance members’ learning.

Planned initiatives for the Retail Security Advisory Board include:

• Developing retail security resources and best practices
• Fostering collaboration between suppliers and retail security practitioners
• Providing end-user thought leadership feedback on emerging technologies and related education and use cases
• Supporting interoperability and the development of open security standards
• Developing webinars, white papers, fact sheets and conference content
• Partnering with key retail and security stakeholders

The SIA advisory board will be led by chair Mike Dunn of Wachter and vice chair Brit Hehn of Gap.

Mike Dunn, strategic innovation and business development at Wachter, is an expert in physical security, with a career spanning over 20 years in computer technology, networking, IP video and access control. He is a valued leader at Wachter and part of the business development team. Prior to joining Wachter, Dunn was the chief technology officer at Prosegur, where he was instrumental in driving and executing innovative solutions that cultivated revenue through customer success. A contributor to his success is an open-platform approach to technology and partnering with best-in-class solution providers to maximize the best options for customer outcomes. As a trusted resource, Dunn leverages his expertise to prioritize customized technology solutions that are transformative to meet each client’s unique needs.

“This new advisory board provides a vital platform to unite retailers, integrators and technology providers around common goals. By fostering collaboration across the retail and security industries, we can advance best practices, explore emerging technologies and build partnerships with leading retail organizations that will help us create lasting impact for retailers everywhere,” Dunn said. “I’m honored to serve as chair and look forward to working with this group to drive practical solutions that strengthen retail security today and in the years ahead.”

Brit Hehn, asset protection director, stores protection, West Zone, at Gap, works with her team to support the 750 most west Gap Inc. stores (Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta) and serves as the asset protection brand leader for Athleta. She has been with Gap for 23 years, with 10 spent leading asset protection operations for the Old Navy brand, where she led AP technology, budgets, AP reporting, AP programs, communication and awareness and strategy, supported Old Navy’s entrance into Mexico in 2015 and led AP field efforts until the business was franchised in 2022. Hehn is a results-driven leader who loves to collaborate to solve challenging business problems, and she and her team are committed to protecting people, assets and experiences and ensuring Gap is the safest place to work and shop.