Scholarship and leadership catching up with Melker Schörling Scholarship winner Christopher Cardenas
A service-based company’s strength lies in its people. Investing in the professional and personal development of employees is one way to help ensure a sustainable workforce and cultivate the next generation of leaders. Securitas offers various programs that support skill enrichment and opportunities to grow professional networks. The Melker Schörling Scholarship is one such program. This prestigious scholarship is competitive and highly sought-after, and it enables recipients to expand their professional knowledge and experience in security. Established in 1992, the Melker Schörling Scholarship was created when Melker Schörling left his position as President and CEO of Securitas AB to become Chairman of the Board. The global scholarship is open to frontline employees in each country where Securitas operates. Each country can refer one applicant for consideration for the award. Four winners are selected and may spend up to five days in an international setting, learning more about security topics to help enrich their job performance.
Recognition for US-based security officer
In 2023, Security Officer Christopher Cardenas from the United States was among the scholarship recipients. Christopher Cardenas joined Securitas USA four years ago when the company took over service for a high-rise hospitality client at which he was already working in the Long Beach, CA area. He has been a top performer for his branch ever since. The scholarship was a natural fit and a strategic step in Christopher’s security career. His region management team endorsed Christopher’s performance and potential, citing a strong work ethic, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, regulatory compliance orientation, attention to detail, and solid collaboration skills.
In addition to being an outstanding security officer, Christopher is currently pursuing a degree in national security and intelligence, a subject that aligns with Securitas’ data-driven approach to intelligent security solutions. To enhance his studies and career aspirations, Christopher selected a domestic study location —the Securitas Operation Center (SOC) in Charlotte, NC. During his three-day visit in March, Christopher received a comprehensive overview of Securitas USA operations.
Career foundation
Christopher was clear about his reason for pursuing the scholarship. “I wanted to advance my career and deepen my understanding of security and Securitas,” he explained. “My goal was to deepen my understanding of security operations, enhance my skills, and broaden my career opportunities within Securitas.”
As the nexus for the pillars of Securitas North America Guarding, the SOC was the logical location to acquire that foundational knowledge. Christopher was eager to understand the company’s operational and managerial perspectives, from its historic roots to its distinctive integrated guarding approach. Christopher met with some of North America Guarding’s most talented and innovative thought leaders to better understand the role each piece contributes to Securitas USA’s strategy and success.
Before his study trip, Christopher was unaware of the many moving parts involved in propelling one of the best-known brands in private security. ‘I gained insights into aspects of security management and operations at Securitas of which I was previously unaware,” he said.
“I learned about security protocols, risk assessments, incident response procedures, and the latest technologies being used for security surveillance and monitoring.” He discovered that industry leadership requires more than operational and technological excellence. “I also gained an appreciation for the importance of collaboration and communication among security personnel to ensure the safety and security of the organization and our clients,” he revealed.
Operational excellence
During his visit, Christopher took an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the National Communications Center (NCC), the headquarters for the company's remote guarding operations. There, he met with Remote Guarding Director of Sales and Operations Jackie Paryz, herself a Melker Schörling Scholarship alumna. Jackie visited the SOC in Malmö, Sweden for her study trip. At that time, the SOC in Charlotte, NC was under construction and the experience provided valuable insight into the workings of an operations center. She aimed to inspire Christopher by giving him an overview of the remote guarding service and the ways it bridges technology, traditional manned guarding, and mobile guarding. Seeing the NCC in action gave Christopher an appreciation for how local business service issues can impact national and global accounts.
Building a network
One of the benefits of being a Melker Schörling scholar is the people encountered and the professional experiences they bring. Besides Christopher had the opportunity to meet several other Securitas business leaders, including Chief Human Resources Officer Chrissy Toskos, SOC Director Kelcey Jones, and Vice President of Talent Development Antonia Elliott who introduced him to the Securitas leadership framework. Each person was eager to share their perspective to help Christopher understand how each area of expertise is made stronger by the others and contribute to continuous innovation and operational service excellence.
“The contacts I made have been integral to my network today,” Jackie said of the individuals she met during her study trip, adding that she stays in touch with the team from Malmö and they still share best practices with each other. “I would encourage Christopher is to keep in touch with those that took the time to meet with you. Reach out to them for advice, to share a story or say hello. Ask about mentorship or if they know of a mentor who might be a great fit for you,” she advised.
Ready to lead
The Melker Schörling Scholarship draws talent from all areas of Securitas’ business. Many go on to hold important positions. Jackie is not the only US employee whose career was influenced by participation in the program. Pinkerton President Jack Zahran was also once a Melker Schörling scholar.
"Receiving the Melker Schörling Award was a rewarding experience that has greatly contributed to my role as President of Pinkerton,” he said. I had the privilege of traveling to Stockholm and Brussels, where I focused on enhancing my knowledge of mergers and acquisitions. Collaborating with a high-profile client in the defense industry and actively participating in the European Leadership's acquisition process provided me with practical insights into capital allocation. Meeting Mr. Schörling was certainly a memorable highlight, as I had the opportunity to engage in an insightful hour-long conversation with him. This award has equipped me with invaluable tools, and I would highly recommend this opportunity to others seeking both personal and professional growth."
Christopher plans to summarize his experience to preserve what he learned and make it available to other security officers who are interested in improving their understanding of Securitas USA’s portfolio and operational best practices. He wants to cascade operational best practices, emphasizing officer accountability and quality client service delivery as ways to enhance effectiveness and performance. “I hope to help other officers become aware of the important role they play and how their actions can influence public perceptions of the company,” Christopher said.
Christopher said that the knowledge and experience gained on his study trip has prepared him to offer guidance and support to his colleagues as they develop their own careers. Whether they seek career growth or are simply interested in learning about other areas of the company, he is eager to share so that other officers can benefit from his experience.
“By sharing this knowledge and experience with my peers, I become an active contributor in enhancing our security operations and overall safety and security posture,” he concluded.
