Leading with Purpose: Celebrating the Women Who Shape UMSA

This Women’s History Month, we are proud to spotlight three remarkable leaders at the Upper Midwest Security Alliance (UMSA) Foundation whose dedication, expertise, and vision continue to strengthen the security community across our region. Meet Marie Strawser, Val Mooney, and Sandra Hendrickson — three women who lead with purpose, lift others as they rise, and embody the spirit of this month’s celebration.

Marie Strawser — Managing Director

As UMSA’s Managing Director, Marie Strawser is the operational backbone of the organization. Her role demands a rare combination of strategic vision and day-to-day execution — and she delivers on both fronts with consistency and grace.

Marie brings leadership that is both steady and inspiring. She works behind the scenes to ensure that UMSA’s programs, partnerships, and mission-critical initiatives run smoothly, enabling the broader community to focus on what matters most: education, connection, and growth in the security field.

“Great leadership is about creating space for others to do their best work.”

Her commitment to UMSA is a testament to the power of servant leadership — showing up consistently, solving problems before they surface, and keeping the organization moving forward. Marie is a cornerstone of UMSA’s success, and her contributions deserve far more recognition than they often receive.

Val Mooney — Secure360 Conference Chair

Val Mooney chairs the Secure360 Conference, one of the premier security education events in the Upper Midwest. Year after year, Val orchestrates an event that brings together hundreds of security professionals for meaningful learning, networking, and collaboration.

Running a major conference requires extraordinary project management, stakeholder coordination, and creative problem-solving. Val does all of this while fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where both seasoned professionals and newcomers can thrive.

“A great conference isn’t about logistics — it’s about people leaving more connected and more capable than when they arrived.”

Under Val’s leadership, Secure360 has earned its reputation as a must-attend event in the regional security calendar. Her passion for education and community building shines through in every detail of the conference experience. Val’s work is a powerful reminder that the security community grows stronger when its leaders invest in gathering people together.

Sandra Hendrickson, CPA — Treasurer

Sandra Hendrickson brings the discipline and rigor of a Certified Public Accountant to her role as UMSA’s Treasurer. Financial stewardship is the quiet engine of every mission-driven organization, and Sandra ensures that UMSA’s resources are managed with integrity and care.

Her expertise allows UMSA to operate transparently and responsibly — building trust with members, donors, and partners alike. In a field where trust is everything, having a leader of Sandra’s caliber overseeing finances provides the foundation on which all of UMSA’s work rests.

“Sound financial stewardship isn’t just about numbers — it’s about protecting the mission.”

Sandra’s dedication to UMSA’s financial health means that scholarship programs continue to flourish, conferences can be planned with confidence, and the organization can focus on its mission without distraction. She is an indispensable part of the leadership team.

Thank You for Leading the Way

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Marie, Val, and Sandra — not just for what they do, but for who they are as leaders and as people. Their contributions to UMSA and to the broader security community leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond any title or role.

We are grateful for their service, inspired by their example, and proud to call them colleagues. Thank you for leading the way.

Learn more about UMSA’s leadership team:
umsafoundation.org/about/leadership