DHI Canada Honours Our “Women In Construction” - Susan Kedzo

Susan Kedzo

Sr. Integration Sales Consultant

Allegion Canada

Responsibilities:

Conduct sales presentations focused on Allegion EAC (electronic access control hardware) Integrated Solutions, Cards, & Readers.

Develop and maintain relationships with System Integrators, Key End Users, 
Allegion’s 3rd Party Physical Access Control Software Partners and Electronic Wholesale Distributors in Western Canada.

What led you to the door and hardware industry?

Actually, it found me. An industry friend let me know of an opportunity at Allegion (then Ingersoll Rand). My friend made the introduction of me to the hiring manager, and the rest as ‘they’ say, is history!

How many years have you been in the industry?

I am in my 11th year with Allegion. However, I have been in the security industry for 23 years.

What was your first job?

My first job was in accounting at the Head Office of a Canadian National Retailer. (Not at all anything like what I am doing now)

What is your proudest professional moment?

To date, there are two proud moments. 

The first was winning/closing an order in excess of $1 Million dollars when I was with PPM (now Resolver, an Incident Reporting and Case Management software solutions manufacturer). The client was a Fortune 100, American multinational investment bank and financial services corporation.

The other was early in my career with Allegion, involving a Fortune 500 Systems Integrator. Together we collaborated on an Oil and Gas project (in Alberta). It was comprised of a camp providing living quarters for staff. It represented 1600 openings where Schlage Wireless Integrated Hardware was installed on each of those openings. This which represented approximately $1.2 Million in revenue (hardware alone). 

What has been your biggest challenge?

Being female in a very male dominated industry. Being given equal consideration for career advancement can be challenging, but not insurmountable! 

Who do you consider a mentor or hero?

This may sound corny…however my mother was my biggest hero and mentor. She instilled in me the confidence that I have to this very day. Her teachings were to always believe that I could do or be anything I set my mind to, and never give up!

What is the best advice you ever received?

Go into sales!!!

What is the best advice you never received?

I am at a loss on how to answer this ….

What changes have you seen in the industry over recent years?

While very slowly, more women seem to be getting involved and recognized in the industry.

What changes do you see facing our industry in the future?

it’s no secret that many ‘Boomers’ have retired; however, some are staying in the workforce longer than has been seen with previous generations. 

I believe there are two areas of concern. One is a generation of knowledge ‘waling off into the sunset’ with no succession planning/training to account for transition of new hires.

The other, for those staying in the work force longer, keeping current with technologies being adopted in construction may present a challenge. New technologies are impacting all things related to what materials buildings are constructed with, energy consumption, environmental designs, electronic vs mechanical hardware being specified, the lists go on and on.