Gallagher Security’s Melissa Vidakovic named to SIA’s 2026 Women in Security Forum Power 100

CANTON, GA — Gallagher Security is proud to announce that Melissa Vidakovic, Director of Marketing - the Americas, has been named to the 2026 class of SIA’s Women in Security Forum (WISF) Power 100. 

The SIA WISF Power 100 recognizes women who are making a significant impact on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership within the security industry. Melissa’s recognition reflects not only her professional excellence, but the meaningful and lasting influence she is having on people, culture, and the future direction of the industry itself. 

In her role leading marketing across the Americas, Melissa has played a pivotal part in reframing how security organizations communicate. Rather than relying solely on technical narratives, she has championed storytelling that connects technology to people, emphasizing outcomes, purpose, and real-world impact. Her approach has helped elevate marketing from a tactical function to a strategic connector, strengthening relationships with customers and partners while influencing broader conversations about how the security industry shows up in the world. 

For Melissa, that shift has always been intentional. 

“Security is ultimately about protecting people,” she says. “That should extend beyond the solutions we build to how we lead, how we communicate, and how we create space for others to grow. When we humanize what we do, we open the door for more people to see themselves in this industry.” 

Her commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is expressed through tangible action. One of the most visible examples came during Gallagher’s Breast Cancer Research Foundation campaign at GSX 2025, where Melissa led an initiative that stood out, uniting colleagues and industry peers around a shared cause and raising more than $7,000. The campaign not only exceeded its fundraising goals, but also reframed what it means to “protect people” in the security profession. 

Equally impactful is the work that happens behind the scenes. Melissa is deeply invested in mentoring early-career professionals and removing barriers that often cause women and young talent to leave the industry too soon.  

“If I’ve helped even a few people feel more confident stepping forward, getting involved, or staying in this industry,” Melissa reflects, “then that’s what matters most. Progress doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.” 

Her influence extends across teams and organizations. By fostering collaboration between marketing leaders at partner companies, Melissa has helped reduce silos that often slow innovation in the broader security ecosystem. Those relationships have expanded beyond marketing into deeper strategic alignment, demonstrating that openness and shared learning create measurable business value. 

Matt Butts, Executive Vice President – the Americas at Gallagher, sees that impact firsthand. 

“Melissa doesn’t push change top-down, she pulls people up with her,” he says. “She cares deeply about the future of this industry and the people who will lead it. Her ability to connect strategy with people has strengthened our organization and influenced how we engage across the Americas. This recognition from SIA is incredibly well deserved.” 

Melissa’s leadership style is often described as calm, steady, and deeply human, but beneath that calm is decisive action. She advocates for workplace norms that support working parents, early-career professionals, and teams navigating life transitions, modeling an inclusive approach that benefits everyone. In doing so, she is quietly challenging outdated expectations in a traditionally male-dominated, technical field. 

The impact of her leadership is best understood as a multiplier effect. The professionals she mentors today are stepping into visible industry roles. The norms she challenges around hierarchy, visibility, and belonging are increasingly becoming expectations rather than exceptions. The way organizations communicate value is shifting toward connection and clarity. 

In an industry navigating workforce change, staffing shortages, and evolving customer expectations, Melissa represents a powerful model of leadership - strategic yet human, steady yet bold, and deeply committed to progress. 

While much of her work happens behind the scenes, the change she is driving is unmistakably visible. Please join us in congratulating Melissa on this well-deserved recognition as part of the 2026 SIA WISF Power 100.