Azione Unlimited has launched the Azione Collective, a new women’s group dedicated to fostering mentorship, connection and professional growth among women in the custom integration industry.
The initiative officially debuted last week with a virtual kickoff meeting introducing the founding members and outlining objectives focused on mentorship, leadership development and collaborative programming.
The first in-person gathering is set for the upcoming Azione Unlimited Fall Conference, where participants will plan activities for the year ahead.
Meet the Azione Collective
Image courtesy of Azione Unlimited
Led by Nicole Riddle, Director of Membership at Azione Unlimited, the new group is described as bringing a mix of “expertise, passion, and leadership from across the custom integration industry.”
The group’s stated mission is to create an empowering space where women from across Azione membership — including integrators, manufacturers, and service partners — can collaborate, share experiences and support one another in achieving personal and professional goals.
Riddle’s own words describe the group as thus:
“Azione Collective is about creating a space where every woman feels seen, supported, and valued,” said Riddle. “This circle is more than a meeting point; it’s a network of encouragement, growth, and empowerment. We want women to know they have a place to share their journeys, celebrate successes, and navigate challenges together. My hope is that the Azione Collective becomes a source of both strength and friendship within our industry.”
According Riddle and Azione Unlimited, the Collective moving forward will serve as a way to cultivate both professional growth and personal connection. Monthly virtual meetups and in-person networking events will complement ongoing wellness and leadership initiatives.
The full list of the group’s founding members is as follows:
- Pamela Cortes, Vice President, Echo Workshop
- Stacy Hicks, COO, Livewire
- Lina Tejada, COO, Digital Home Systems
- Kim Wicklund, President, Premiere Audio/Video Integration
- Jessica Zell, President, Boston Automations
- Caitlin Stewart, Director of Sales, Leon Speakers
- Maren Gehling, Director of Sales, Hunter Douglas
- Katherine Spiller, Managing Director, Steinway Lyngdorf US
- Jillian Jussif, Business Development Manager, Future Automation
- Angela Larson, SVP Professional Solutions, Savant
- Tina Veale, COO, TBES Systems
- Paula Bell, VP, Electronic Environments
- Nicole Riddle, Director of Member Services, Azione Unlimited
- Caryn Daugherty, VP of Operations, Azione Unlimited
The Growing Momentum for Women in CI
Organizations like Women in Consumer Technology (WiCT) have long been mainstays within the CI channel, serving women in the broader consumer electronics industry through networking opportunities and career support, while offering open forums for members to exchange ideas, offer mentorship and empower one another. However, over time, support for greater inclusion has only grown, with recent years seeing a noticeable shift in demographics and representation throughout the industry.
The formation of the Azione Collective is a clear example. However there are a few other “high-viz” developments that have occurred within the past few years as well:
- Hagan Kapler and Daisy: A rising name within the industry and representing one of the fastest growing automation franchises in the channel, Kapler herself has made it a point to leverage her position in promoting and advocating for women within the industry.
- BIG AV: Recently celebrating its five-year anniversary as well as a 500 member milestone, BIG AV is a relatively fresh industry organization that seeks to support the careers of all underrepresented demographics within the smart home channel, including but not limited to women.
- Women to Watch Awards: While originally developed after noticing a perceived trend and growth of women representation in the industry, CE Pro‘s own Women to Watch awards have seen a tremendous turnout the two short years it has been active with 80 honorees being recognized so far.
