International Association of Women Recognizes Regina Ferguson as a 2019-2020 Influencer

CHICAGO, August 27, 2019 (Newswire.com) - ​The International Association of Women (IAW) recognizes Regina Ferguson as a 2019-2020 Influencer. She is acknowledged as a leader in risk management. The International Association of Women (IAW) is a global in-person and online networking platform with more than 100 local chapters, International Chapters in several cities in China and 1000+ in person and virtual events.

“I’m pleased to welcome Regina into this exceptional group of professional women,” said IPDN President and IAW Spokesperson Star Jones. “Her knowledge and experience in her industry are valuable assets to her company and community.”

For 16 years, Regina Ferguson worked for a large urban public school district, first as Operations Manager/Senior Paralegal for the inhouse legal services department for eleven years, and then appointed to be the district’s Risk Manager where she oversaw the safety program, all insurance policies, and district administrative policies for staff and student safety.

After leaving the school district, Ms. Ferguson was approached by Strategos International, LLC, the vendor she worked with to establish safety procedures for student safety. “The owners of Strategos International asked if I would consider working as a Consultant focusing completely on the school division for the company. I already had a strong working relationship with everyone at Strategos International, and within a year my role evolved into a full-time position as Director of Public Schools Safety and Security Solutions,” she said. “I have been with Strategos International as a Consultant and full-time​ employee for two years, in addition to five years as a client.”

In her current role, Ms. Ferguson works directly with schools and districts to conduct safety assessments, policy and procedure development, training related to active and unknown threats in the school and work place environment, bus safety and behavior pattern recognition training. “We also provide informational sessions for parents and community groups related to recognizing potential threats and how to proactively share those concerns to prevent a potentially hazardous situation in their local schools,” she added.

“I enjoy working with people to see past their regular routine and understand that safety is everyone's responsibility.  Safety awareness does not have to be scary; it can be empowering, making you feel you are in control of your own successes.” Ms. Ferguson continued. “Schools are welcoming environments and should be filled with the sounds of happy students; practicing a high level of safety awareness does not have to impact that positive experience.”

Ms. Ferguson admits it can be challenging to change someone’s mindset from the nostalgic ideas of how things have always been done. “The rewarding part is when that person fully embraces all the necessary changes for a safe school environment and becomes the champion for all safety related topics,” she said.

“I am here to share the school safety message with whomever will listen,” Ms. Ferguson said. “Every person either has a child in school, knows someone with a child in school or knows someone who works in a school. Because of changes in the culture and climate not only in schools but in our communities, safety training can begin at school but should be a skill that is taken anywhere and used at any given time and place. The hope is we never need to protect ourselves from an active threat. The goal is we all become educated to prevent the potential for a threat and, if one does occur, we not only survive but prevail.”

In addition to her work with Strategos International, Ms. Ferguson is also a licensed Realtor in Missouri and Kansas working with her husband, Michael, at Michael Ferguson Realty brokered by eXp. The same enjoyment she has working with people translates in her work as a Realtor, and she finds great joy when clients find their perfect home.

Education & Accomplishments: Master of Business Administration, Webster University; Masters of Legal Studies with Paralegal Certification, Webster University; Guest Trainer for the Missouri School Plant Manager's Association Core Certification Safety Courses Sept 22-24, 2019; Presenter/Exhibitor at the Missouri School Boards Association Annual Conference Sept 25-27, 2019

​About IAW
The International Association of Women (IAW) is a global in-person and online professional networking platform that provides women the forum, professional development and services needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Through 100+ local chapters, International Chapters in several cities in China and 1000+ in person and virtual events, members cultivate valuable connections, develop professionally, and promote themselves and their businesses. Founded in Chicago in 2017, IAW is a division of Professional Diversity Network, Inc., an online network tailored to provide diverse professionals in the United States with access to employment opportunities.

Source: International Association of Professional Women