Azione Unlimited, a leading North American buying group of upscale custom integrators, announced on Wednesday that it has formed the Azione Collective, a group of women drawn from all walks of the greater Azione ecosystem who have come together to “empower connection, mentorship, and growth.”
Learn more about Azione Unlimited’s Azione Collective
The newly created Azione Collective is headed by Nicole Riddle, Azione’s Director of Membership, and the organization says that “this initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening relationships and advancing women’s leadership across the custom integration industry.” But just what, exactly, is the mission of this collective?
There are many women’s groups around the country, but this is the first I’m aware of in the custom integration industry connected with one of the major buying groups. In many ways, it makes a lot of sense, as groups like Azione with hundreds of members, dozens of suppliers, and sundry assorted other service providers, combine to create a major network of substantial scale.
Azione Collective: An Empowering Space
Azione says the mission of the Collective is to create “an empowering space where both dealer and vendor members come together to collaborate, innovate, mentor and inspire one another.” With mutual support and mentoring, members of the Collective look to motivate each other “to achieve both personal and professional goals through shared experiences, open dialogue, and collective support within the Azione community.”
Azione Collective is about creating a space where every woman feels seen, supported, and valued. This circle is more than a meeting point; it’s a network of encouragement, growth, and empowerment. We want women to know they have a place to share their journeys, celebrate successes, and navigate challenges together. My hope is that the Azione Collective becomes a source of both strength and friendship within our industry.
Nicole Riddle, Azione Unlimited’s Director of Membership
To Be Formally Unveiled at Azione Unlimited’s November Fall Conference
The Azione Collective has already had its first virtual meeting, where the members all met each other and discussed the group’s goals for mentorship, leadership, and professional collaboration. The Collective will further be formally unveiled at next month’s Azione Unlimited Fall Conference in Chicago.
Azione Collective Founding Members:
- Pamela Cortes, Vice President, Echo Workshop
- Stacy Hicks, COO, Livewire
- Lina Tejada, COO, Digital Home Systems
- Kim Wicklund, President, Premiere AV Integrated
- Jessica Zell, President, Boston Automations
- Caitlin Stewart, Director of Sales, Leon Speakers
- Maren Gehling, Director of Sales, Hunter Douglas
- Katherine Spiller, Managing Director, Steinway Lyngdorf US
- Jillian Jussif, Business Development Manager, Future Automation
- Angela Larson, SVP Professional Solutions, Savant
- Nicole Riddle, Director of Member Services, Azione Unlimited
- Caryn Daugherty, VP of Operations, Azione Unlimited
Group to Meet Regularly, Both Virtually and In-Person
Azione says members of the Collective will meet regularly every month in virtual meetings. They will also schedule meetups at national industry conferences. Finally, a structured mentorship program, which will begin in 2026, will also provide opportunities for meetings. Other initiatives will focus on leadership, professional development, and overall wellness.
Says Azione, “The formation of Azione Collective underscores the organization’s belief that unity and shared learning are key to building a stronger, more connected network of professionals.”
Learn all about Azione Unlimited by visiting azioneunlimited.com.
Leave a Reply