Teri Dorman, CPP
Sr. Regional Safety and Security Manager
With a career that’s spanned private and public sectors, Teri Dorman has seen security from every angle. She’s tackled everything from internal investigations to compliance enforcement and large-scale safety planning. Her perspective? Grounded. Practical. And always focused on impact.
For Teri real security leadership starts with something more grounded: understanding people, meeting them where they are, and leading purposefully.
“I’m a servant-style leader. For me, it’s about meeting people where they are—understanding what drives them and aligning safety with what matters most to them.”
A career built on adaptability and perspective
Teri’s early years were rooted in traditional loss prevention, when security was still seen primarily as a physical presence—locks, keys, and catching bad actors in the act. But even then, the industry was beginning to shift.
Companies recognized the need for a more strategic, data-informed approach to reduce losses and manage risk. Teri saw that change coming and leaned into it.
She later entered the public sector, working directly with regulatory compliance and safety standards. It gave her a new lens on how safety is structured, communicated, and enforced across different environments.
“You definitely see how public sector rules differ from private sector strategy. It was a great education—but I was glad to return to a more dynamic, operational role.”
Earning a seat at the table
If there’s one thing Teri has learned, it’s that security professionals don’t always start with a seat at the table—you have to earn it.
“I’ve had to bring my own chair more than once,” she says. “You can’t assume your work speaks for itself. You need to understand what matters to leadership—and speak in those terms.”
For many organizations, that means tying security to business outcomes. Whether it’s safety incident data or potential cost avoidance, she knows how to frame the conversation in terms that resonate.
“It’s not about fear—it’s about facts. If you can say, ‘Here’s the data, and here’s how we reduce risk,’ you’ll stay part of the conversation.”
Real-world tech, real results
While buzzwords fly around—AI, analytics, automation—Teri stays focused on tools that actually help security teams in the field. One of the most powerful, she says, is predictive analytics.
“If we know where incidents have happened before, we can guide people to check those areas again. It’s simple, but it prevents repeat problems. That’s where tech is at its best.”
Other innovations catching her eye? Smart alerts tied to environmental cues, like noise or air sensors, and next-gen reporting platforms that can give leaders real-time insight into security activity.
Her long-term vision? A centralized platform where everything from access control to incident reporting can be monitored from one place.
Advice to future security leaders
Teri is a proud holder of the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation—considered one of the top certifications in the industry. Her journey to get there involved plenty of studying and soul-searching.
“I originally looked at a more technical path, but realized I wanted something that aligned with leadership and operations. The CPP was the right fit.”
Her advice to young professionals—especially women looking to step into security leadership?
“Be your best you. I spent years trying on different versions of myself to fit what I thought a security leader was supposed to be. Rough. Tough. Stern. But that wasn’t me. Once I leaned into who I really am, everything clicked.”
She acknowledges that bias still exists—and that sometimes, being underestimated is part of the journey. But she’s clear: the right fit will value what you actually bring to the table.
“If someone can’t see your potential because of who you are, ask yourself—is that really the place you want to be?”
Looking ahead
As physical and digital security continue to converge, Teri sees both opportunity and complexity. She’s especially interested in how AI and unified platforms can elevate situational awareness without creating new risks.
But the biggest shift she’s hoping for? Better collaboration across disciplines.
“Right now, a lot of systems still live in silos—fire, life safety, and access control. It’s time we start breaking down those walls. Not just for efficiency, but for better protection.”
Teri Dorman leads with a unique blend of hard-won experience and clear-eyed purpose. Having navigated the complexities of security from the ground up, she brings a depth of insight that’s hard to match.
For Teri, security is more than just checking boxes—it’s a deep-rooted commitment to people, processes, and continuous progress. She focuses on building systems that not only protect but also evolve with the changing environment. The most effective leaders grasp this intuitively, and Teri exemplifies that mindset.
She believes great leadership requires more than reacting to the present—it demands a clear vision for the future, ensuring that today’s decisions lay the groundwork for stronger, more adaptive security tomorrow.
David Santiago
David is a Physical Security Professional and SiteOwl contributor. From his service in the U.S. Marine Corps to leading campus-wide security initiatives, David brings deep operational insight. When not writing or consulting, he enjoys tai chi, playing basketball, and chasing the perfect beach sunset with his family.
