Vantage Points

In this episode of Vantage Points, Michele Gay, co-founder and executive director of Safe and Sound Schools, shares how she transformed the tragic loss of her daughter at Sandy Hook into a national movement for school safety. She advocates for a holistic approach to school safety that includes six key pillars: emergency management, community engagement, physical safety, mental and behavioral health, school climate, and overall wellness. She also highlights the Especially Safe program, designed to help schools address safety for individuals of all abilities. Watch to learn how Michele is helping communities ensure every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Retail theft has shifted from primarily one-off shoplifting incidents to brazen and often violent organized crime. This organized retail crime is not just a threat to retailers' bottom lines -- it is a threat to employees' safety and the communities they serve. David Johnston, Vice President of Asset Protection and Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation (NRF), joins Michael Evanoff and Cari Guittard to discuss the evolving threat landscape, how AI and unified technology help stores move "left of boom," and the bipartisan legislative efforts needed to dismantle professional crime rings.

When the price tag on merchandise goes up, so do the stakes for asset protection and loss prevention. For luxury retail brands, protecting high-value assets requires a delicate balance between security and deterrence and a delightful brand experience for the customer. Ron Kornblum, Global Director of Corporate Security for Canada Goose, joins Michael Evanoff and Cari Guittard to discuss the evolving landscape of retail security: strategies for mitigating loss, the role of AI and technology tools in modern security, and why a building a culture of security with employees is an essential component of any effective AP/LP strategy.

When the price tag on merchandise goes up, so do the stakes for asset protection and loss prevention. For luxury retail brands, protecting high-value assets requires a delicate balance between security and deterrence and a delightful brand experience for the customer. Ron Kornblum, Global Director of Corporate Security for Canada Goose, joins Michael Evanoff and Cari Guittard to discuss the evolving landscape of retail security: strategies for mitigating loss, the role of AI and technology tools in modern security, and why a building a culture of security with employees is an essential component of any effective AP/LP strategy.

According to the 2025 State of Retail Safety report, physical assaults on retail workers have increased by 57% year-over-year. As a result, loss prevention now extends beyond protecting inventory to include ensuring employee and customer safety. Dr. Read Hayes, Executive Director of the Loss Prevention Research Council, joins Michael Evanoff to discuss changes in the retail crime landscape, psychological factors driving theft, and evidence-based approaches to address organized retail crime and workplace violence.

For more information, visit https://lpresearch.org/.

The “I Love U Guys” Foundation was founded in 2006 by Ellen and John-Michael Keyes after a school shooting took the life of their daughter, Emily. On that day, Emily sent two text messages... One to her mother, Ellen, "I love u guys. K" and to her father, John-Michael, "I love you guys." Since that day, The “I Love U Guys” Foundation has been on a mission to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions. In this episode, Pat Hamilton, Alliance Director for The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, joins Michael Evanoff and Cari Guittard to discuss the life-saving power of locked doors, how to build a culture of safety within school communities, and where technology can make a meaningful impact on safety in schools.

For more information and to access FREE resources from The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, visit https://iloveuguys.org/.

Coming soon! 'Vantage Points' is a new video podcast series co-hosted by Michael Evanoff, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and Global Chief Security Officer at Verkada, and Cari Guittard, homeland security and geopolitical risk strategist. Monthly episodes will feature high-profile guests from across the security and public safety world — diving into the trends, technologies, and challenges shaping how we protect people and places today. Tune in for our first episode on Tuesday, October 28.