The LPM “Magpie” Awards offer a means to celebrate industry accomplishments on an ongoing basis, recognizing the loss prevention professionals, teams, solution providers, law enforcement partners, and others that demonstrate a stellar contribution to the profession.
The ability to influence change is a product of drive, creativity, and determination, but it also requires a unique ability to create a shared vision that others will understand, respect, support, and pursue. Each of the following recipients reflects that standard of excellence, representing the quality and spirit of leadership that makes a difference in our lives, our people, and our programs. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our latest honorees.
Excellence in Leadership
Cathy Langley, LPC, Senior Director of Loss Prevention, Rite Aid
“I don’t believe that leading in asset protection is much different than leading in other industries,” said Langley. “Of course, high integrity is a must. But ultimately, for any true leader, the focus has to be on people. I believe in and always attempt to practice servant leadership. I work for my team and not the other way around. If serving is below you, then leadership is beyond you.”
Langley has spent her entire career with Rite Aid, starting as a file clerk for the security department while attending high school and business school in York, Pennsylvania. Since that time, she has held positions with increasing responsibility within the company, working her way up the ladder to become corporate director of loss prevention in 2000, director of loss prevention analytics in 2002, and then senior director of loss prevention in 2011.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always believed that it’s important to work smarter, not harder,” she said. “I’ve always tried to instill that mentality in myself, my team, and our field leaders. By understanding the data, processes, people, and opportunities, you can develop new ways to support both the team and the business to drive results.”
When considering what advice she would offer young leaders working their way up the career ladder, Langley believes that self-reflection is the best place to start. “The first step is to learn and understand who you are—really get to know yourself,” she said. “Embrace your strengths and the opportunities that arise once those strengths are recognized. This helps you learn to focus more on others and less on yourself. Only then can you truly accept the mantle of leadership.”
Excellence in Partnerships
Louise Kadege, Managing Director, ORIS (United Kingdom)
“The core objective of ORIS is to reduce risk in the retail sector through collaboration, education, and sharing best practices,” said Kadege. “I love the diversity of the role and the challenges that it brings. It’s very rewarding to bring retailers together and see them reduce risk as a result of the connections they make and the initiatives our members collaborate on. Hearing that our members return from an event so enthused and reenergized by what they learned makes it all worthwhile.”
Kadege is currently the managing director for ORIS, which is made up of two companies. One is ORIS Forums, a not-for-profit business that brings together retailers from different retail verticals to network, collaborate, and share best practices on risk reduction in the retail environment. The second is ORIS Media, which publishes LP Magazine Europe, promotes the UK chapter of the Loss Prevention Foundation, and is the exclusive EU partner of Wicklander-Zulawski.
To become a true partner in the loss prevention community, Kadege feels there are a few primary qualities that lead the way. “First, say what you’ll do and do what you say. If you say you’ll do something, do it. If you can’t do it, say that you can’t. People always prefer honesty.
“It’s important to continually add value. Always look for ways to add value to your clients. Stay grounded and treat people with respect. It’s irrelevant whether you are the office administrator or the managing director; we’re all trying to achieve one common goal—being the best at what we do.
“Finally, love what you do and have fun doing it. Support your team to help them do the same.”
Nominate Your Peers
We want this to be your program. Those of you working as LP practitioners witness these exceptional performances on a regular and ongoing basis, and we strongly encourage you to provide us with nominees for each of the award categories. We encourage creative nominations and want the program to cast a positive light on the many tremendous contributions of the loss prevention community. Nominations can be submitted via email to excellence [at] LPportal.com.