Women in the AV industry have long been trailblazers, breaking barriers, driving innovation and shaping the future of technology and integration. Their vision, leadership and expertise have left an enduring mark, inspiring progress across the field. This International Women’s History Month, Commercial Integrator is proud to honor their achievements with a special series. Throughout the month, we’ll be shining a light on some of the most remarkable women in AV, celebrating their contributions and sharing their stories to inspire and empower others in our industry.
Here, we spotlight Gina Sansivero, VP, Marketing & Corporate Communications at AtlasIED. She entered the AV industry by chance, joining a start-up that sparked her connection to the field. She views challenges as opportunities for growth, crediting mentors for expanding her perspective and shaping her leadership approach. Among her proudest achievements is building a talented, dynamic team at AtlasIED. She values the AV industry’s strong sense of community and believes its future lies in greater diversity to drive innovation and creativity. Read #HerAVStory below.
Interview with Gina Sansivero, VP, Marketing & Corporate Communications at AtlasIED
Commercial Integrator: How did you get into the AV industry?
Gina Sansivero: I was looking for a new opportunity to continue to progress and expand in my career in marketing and came across a small start-up R&D company re-engineering projector light engines. They were looking for their first marketing hire and I was looking for my next step; little did I know at the time that this industry and the people in it would feel like home.
CI: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your AV industry career?
Sansivero: Of course, everyone encounters some roadblocks. How you allow it to affect your growth and progress is more important than what those roadblocks are. I haven’t allowed obstacles to stop me from growing, I just became more creative in how I leveraged those obstacles to make me a better professional, leader and marketer. I think it’s important to remember that roadblocks are an opportunity to fight complacency.
CI: Whom would you point to as the most influential and helpful mentors in your career? What did they do to help you?
Sansivero: The best mentors I have had have opened my eyes to different perspectives. They have taught me strategies to see beyond my own experiences and viewpoint. I ask a lot of questions in an effort to understand a variety of thought processes, and that curiosity is a result of years of formal and informal mentorship from individuals both in and outside this industry.
CI: What is your proudest career accomplishment?
Sansivero: I am most proud of the team I’ve helped build at AtlasIED. They are a group of brilliant people who challenge each other to be better every day. I truly love working with this team. I am learning to lead in ways that test my preconceptions about leadership, and it’s both uncomfortable and thrilling.
CI: What do you love most about working in the AV industry?
Sansivero: This is going to sound cliché, but it’s absolutely the people. This industry has a very strong and deep sense of community. You can learn the specifics of an industry, be it tech or medical components or fashion, but you can’t force a connection with the community. I personally and professionally feel real connection here.
CI: How can the AV industry become even better?
Sansivero: This is an easy answer but one that is not easy to execute. To be better we have to diversify. We need more perspectives to help us become stronger and more creative and more voices to stay relevant and innovative.
Would you like to nominate a peer or colleague — or perhaps yourself! — to be featured in this #HerAVStory series? If so, just email Dan Ferrisi, group editor, commercial and security, Emerald, at [email protected].
