Certification Profile: Letitia Emeana, CPP, PSP, CISMP
The security profession doesn’t have a singular entry point, and Letitia Emeana, CPP, PSP, CISMP’s (Certificate in Information Security Management Principles) career is proof of that.
She didn’t start in a control room or a military uniform; rather, she started as a banking advisor at Lloyds Banking Group, moving through branch roles before becoming a branch manager. There, she caught glimpses of corporate security through investigating passport and identity fraud, and she felt something click. She saw that security wasn’t just about locks and cameras; it was about protecting people, safeguarding organizations, and facilitating growth. That spark led her into a corporate security role covering London and Southeast England.
It was the first of many moments that would reinforce the same lesson: Security leadership isn’t defined by where you start. It’s defined by the value you bring, your willingness to learn, and your ability to influence others. Letitia says those lessons would carry her from a branch floor in banking to her current global role as group security lead, capability and technology, at Unilever.
Reflecting on her career journey, Letitia says it's difficult to separate her professional growth from her ASIS journey, given the value she's gained from certification, education, leadership opportunities, mentoring, networking, and community.
Letitia joined ASIS and her local UK Chapter in 2005. In 2007, she earned her Physical Security Professional (PSP) certification.
“What initially attracted me to ASIS was the opportunity to learn from practitioners across different sectors and countries, though what kept me engaged was the sense of community,” she says. “ASIS provides an environment where security professionals can challenge their thinking, exchange ideas, and support one another's success, regardless of where they are in their careers.”
Ten years later, Letitia earned her Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification. She credits both certifications with deepening her understanding of enterprise security risk management (ESRM) and giving her a broader appreciation of how physical security, technology, investigations, governance, resilience, and business strategy all connect. The connection between certification and community became the foundation for a leadership role that would define one of the most formative chapters of her career.
ASIS provides an environment where security professionals can challenge their thinking, exchange ideas, and support one another's success, regardless of where they are in their careers.
“One of the most rewarding chapters of my career began when I was elected chair of the ASIS UK Chapter in 2020,” she says. “The chapter emerged from an incredibly challenging period during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we saw an opportunity to reimagine how members engaged with the community.”
The chapter focused on creating a stronger foundation, improving governance, increasing visibility, and building a more diverse and inclusive professional community.
“I was particularly passionate about creating opportunities for younger professionals and individuals who may not have traditionally seen themselves represented within the security profession, and the results were incredibly rewarding,” she says.
Letitia’s contributions to ASIS extend well beyond chapter leadership. She has served on the ASIS GSX Content Selection Committee and now sits on the ASIS European Selection Committee, helping shape content that influences practitioners across the region. She has also contributed to ASIS Europe programming, wrote numerous published security articles, and remained a consistent advocate for women and young professionals entering the field.
“My commitment to advancing the profession has never been driven by recognition,” she says. “It has been driven by a belief that security should be accessible, diverse, and representative of the communities we serve.”
That belief has earned her recognition: the 2024 ASIS Karen Marquez Honors, the 2024 Women in Security Award for Contribution to Industry, and the 2025 OSPA Lifetime Achievement Award. Letitia views each as recognition less as her own efforts but those of her colleagues, mentors, and the future leaders she’s supported along the way.
“Our greatest legacy is not measured by the programs we implement or the titles we hold, but by the people we inspire, develop, and empower to become the next generation of leaders,” she says.
Today, as group security lead for capability and technology at Unilever, Letitia helps shape global security standards, capability development, assurance programs, technology strategy, and risk management frameworks that support thousands of employees, sites, and operations around the world. The role reflects many of the ambitions she had when she first entered the profession, including helping organizations become more resilient, enabling business growth, and creating safer environments around the world.
Along the way, Letitia has also discovered new goals.
“I am passionate about developing future security leaders, increasing diversity across the profession, and ensuring that talented individuals recognize that there is no single pathway into security,” she says. “The profession needs people from different backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and perspectives because risk itself is diverse and constantly changing.”
The most effective security leaders, Letitia has learned, aren’t necessarily the ones with the strongest technical expertise. Rather, they are the ones who build relationships, influence stakeholders, and understand the business they serve. That belief now shapes everything she does, from global capability development at Unilever to mentoring and volunteer leadership within ASIS.
Our greatest legacy is not measured by the programs we implement or the titles we hold, but by the people we inspire, develop, and empower to become the next generation of leaders.
For Letitia, real success looks like watching others grow in confidence and step into their own version of leadership.
“My journey, from investigating fraud in banking to leading security globally, taught me there’s no single path into this profession,” she says. “Success isn’t determined by where you begin. It’s determined by your willingness to learn, serve others, and keep challenging yourself to grow. The future of security will be shaped by the people willing to lead through change and make this profession stronger for those who follow.”
Reflecting on her ASIS journey, Letitia’s advice to current and aspiring security professionals comes back to one theme: Never underestimate the value of what makes your experience unique. She emphasizes that some of the most powerful strengths you bring to this profession may come from entirely outside it.
“Be curious. Invest in your education. Build your network. Put yourself forward for opportunities, even when you doubt yourself,” she says. “Security is ultimately about people, and some of the most successful leaders in our profession are those who never thought they’d belong here in the first place.”
Lexi Tiffany is a communications manager at ASIS International. She holds a master’s degree in strategic and organizational communication from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
