Her Story
About Kelli
Kelli Williams is a security operations professional based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, with extensive experience in large-scale event and transportation security. She currently serves as an Event Security Manager for Player 15 Group, the organization that oversees game-day operations for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and the Valley Suns G League affiliate. In her role, she leads comprehensive security operations during high-attendance events, ensuring the safety of thousands of fans while coordinating closely with internal leadership, visiting team security, and league officials.
Her career in security spans roughly a decade and includes progressively responsible roles across both public and private sectors. She previously worked with Allied Universal as a Lead Trainer and Dispatcher, where she developed operational leadership and training expertise. Earlier in her career, she served with the Transportation Security Administration, gaining specialized experience in screening procedures, canine operations, and high-security inspection environments. She has also contributed to security operations within technology and transit systems, including work at a Google Operations Center and with Valley Metro.
In her current role in Phoenix, she manages approximately 140 security personnel on event days and oversees critical functions such as player screening, crowd monitoring, and dispatch coordination. Her leadership approach emphasizes situational awareness, staff mentorship, and maintaining calm, responsive operations in fast-paced environments serving up to 16,000–18,000 attendees per game. Kelli holds an Associate’s degree from Kilgore College and brings a strong foundation of operational discipline, field experience, and people-centered leadership to every event she supports.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelli
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being able to come into my current position and create a way where there wasn't one. I had never been in the events world before, and I didn't know what I was getting myself into. When I came in, they knew they needed someone in the position, but there was no guidance of what they expected, whether it was for the team or for myself. Being able to just find the gaps and try to fill them in where I could, and still lead my team, I think is my biggest professional achievement, because it showed me what all I could go through and make it on the other side of.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that I can build a rewarding career in any field if I stay open to growth and new opportunities. I originally started in nursing, but after working with the TSA, I discovered a strong interest in security and event operations. That experience helped me realize that career paths can evolve in unexpected but fulfilling ways when you follow what genuinely interests you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is that you can absolutely build a successful and fulfilling career as a woman in this field. Believe in your abilities, stay confident in your skills, and don’t be afraid to take up space in professional environments where your voice matters. I would also encourage consistent networking, building genuine relationships, and supporting other women along the way—because when we connect and uplift each other, we become stronger together.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is still being relatively early in my career and working to expand my professional network. With about two years of experience in my role, I recognize that building strong connections is essential for growth, learning, and long-term opportunities. At the same time, this also presents a major opportunity—networking allows me to learn from more experienced professionals, gain exposure to different areas of the industry, and open doors to future advancement.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are networking, service, and connection. Networking is especially meaningful to me because I believe the more people I know, the more resources I can access, which helps me grow and perform better in my role. As someone still building experience in this field, I’ve learned how important it is to utilize available resources and continue developing confidence through relationships and learning from others. I also value personal growth and am working on recognizing and taking pride in my accomplishments, not just focusing on completing tasks. In both my personal and professional life, volunteering and community involvement have always been important to me, and I enjoy finding ways to give back when I can. Family and shared experiences are also central to who I am, and I especially value how cooking and gathering around food bring people together, helping me stay connected even in a busy work environment.
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