Kimberly Perry may be new to her role as ISN’s Chief Operating Officer, but the promotion is a reflection of the work that she’s been doing her entire life.
“My first job here was in high school, when I used to come and clean the office once a week,” she chuckles, reflecting on the earliest days of her career.
When she started in university, Kimberly spent her spare hours working in various roles within the company, such as a fingerprinting technician, and as a screening analyst. Yet when the company was looking for someone to take on business development full time, she stepped up to the plate.
From there she spent years as the Director of Operations, but admits the company looked quite different at the time. “We were a much smaller office back then,” she says, “and now there’s a team of people doing a job I used to do all on my own.”
Part of the reason that she took an ownership mentality so early on was that ISN is, of course, a family business.
Her father, David Perry, founded the company, and thus Kimberly and her entire family have been committed to its success from day one. While all of her siblings have worked in the business at various points in their careers, Kimberly’s worked to make it a home.
Kimberly realizes the privilege that has come from being the boss’ daughter, but notes that instead of creating an unfair advantage, it’s made her work that much harder. “All eyes are on you at all times,” she adds. “Working somewhere else would have been a lot easier! My work is held to a much higher standard, which I’m okay with. 19 years in, I think I’ve been able to prove myself on my own merits.”
Kimberly recognizes the role she takes on now as COO as David becomes the Chairman. “We have one of the best company cultures, which is something that my Dad and I have both valued highly, and it’s something that I’m determined to keep going.”
So where is ISN going next under her leadership? She has to keep some things close to her sleeve, but notes that as a millennial, she’s a champion of using technology to improve ISN’s work both internally and externally. “I’m focused on expanding ISN’s reach, leveraging new technologies, and ensuring we remain a leader in the investigations field.”
Kimberly is also proud of her mentoring of women in the workforce, and showing them what’s possible through having women in top positions of leadership. “As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, breaking stereotypes and earning respect in this role wasn’t always easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding.”
ISN may be entering the hands of a new generation, but the values that the company has followed since day one remain unchanged. “It has always been more than just a company to me—it’s a legacy that I’m deeply honoured to carry forward.”