Cecilia Sepp [Host]:
Hello and welcome to this edition of AWTC Presents HerStory, a series where we feature our AWTC members. I'm your host, Cecilia Sepp. I am a member of AWTC and a volunteer on the marketing committee.
Today, we are featuring our member, Carla Lochiatto. Carla, welcome to HerStory. Would you like to introduce yourself?
Carla Lochiatto [Guest]:
Sure. Thank you so much for inviting me—I'm honored and excited!
I really enjoy being part of AWTC. My name is Carla Lochiatto, and I’m the Director of the CSO Center for Leadership and Development at ASIS International.
ASIS is a global professional society for security professionals. The CSO Center is our group for chief security officers and their direct reports at large global organizations. I manage that center, providing education, networking, community, and resources. It's very exciting work.
Cecilia [Host]:
That sounds really interesting. I know ASIS is truly international, right?
Carla [Guest]:
Yes! ASIS has 34,000 members worldwide, and the CSO Center has about 400 members across many of the same countries.
Cecilia [Host]:
And this isn't your first association job. How did you get involved with associations?
Carla [Guest]:
Like many of us, my path was not linear. I started working in government, then moved into political communications, then on Capitol Hill. As my congressman was retiring, I discovered the world of associations through one of those glossy magazines we used to get and found a job at the International Council of Shopping Centers doing state and local government advocacy.
From there, I moved through other associations, including a real estate-related one and ASAE. Eventually, I realized I wanted to broaden my experience beyond government relations. That led me to my current role at the CSO Center, which focuses more on membership and overall management.
Cecilia [Host]:
Tell us about a time when you felt really good about your work.
Carla [Guest]:
Security is still a male-dominated field. When I started with the CSO Center, I saw an opportunity to make it more inclusive and welcoming to women. Over time, we've created a space where women feel supported and represented. Recently, several new female members told me it was the first security group where they felt truly comfortable and not alone. That was incredibly rewarding.
Cecilia [Host]
What advice has helped you in your career, especially as a woman working with technology?
Carla [Guest]:
A mentor once told me to embrace what makes you different. Your unique experiences and voice are your strengths. In association tech—where women’s voices haven't always been prominent—it's essential to use our perspectives to add value. Advocate for yourself, speak truthfully, and use your voice to uplift others as well.
Cecilia [Host]:
As a power user of tech, where do you see technology taking associations?
Carla [Guest]:
Technology—especially AI—isn’t something to fear. It’s a framework that helps us do our jobs better, faster, and more efficiently. If tech can handle tasks like data analysis or grammar checks, we can spend our energy on strategy and relationship-building, which require the human touch. Technology will never replace human interaction, and that’s central to the association world.
Cecilia [Host]:
Let’s talk about AWTC. What do you like best about being part of this group?
Carla [Guest]:
AWTC is one of the most supportive and welcoming groups I've ever encountered. When I first joined, I didn’t know anyone, but someone immediately greeted me and introduced me around. It’s not cliquey—it’s collaborative and genuine. I’ve made real connections and found a safe space for problem-solving, sharing resources, and learning about innovations.
Cecilia [Host]:
Why should someone join—and get involved with—AWTC?
Carla [Guest]:
You don’t need to have “IT” in your title to benefit. If you work with technology or want to learn more, AWTC is for you. It’s helped me understand tech in new ways, and the networking is authentic. It’s a vibrant, innovative, and free community that supports both personal and professional growth.
Cecilia [Host]:
Exactly. It’s Association Women Technology Champions—not just for techies. We all use tech and can learn from one another.
Carla [Guest]:
That’s what got me in—and it’s been amazing.
Cecilia [Host]:
Thank you, Carla, for joining me for this edition of HerStory.
To our audience—if you'd like to learn more about AWTC, see past episodes, or explore our events and membership (which is free!), visit awtc.tech. You can also join our active Slack community and get on our newsletter list.
Thanks again for joining us. We’ll see you next time!
