Wisdom USA 2020 Speaker Spotlight: ITAM and ITAD

21 February 2020
3 minute read
ITAM News & Analysis

Wisdom USA 2020 Speaker Spotlight: ITAM and ITAD

21 February 2020
3 minute read

This is the 3rd “speaker spotlight” article for Wisdom USA 2020 – a chance for you to see some of the fantastic speakers and sessions we’ve got in store for you this next month in St Petersburg, Florida.

Joining me is Patricia McKenzie ,Director of Education & Outreach at SERI / R2.

Wisdom USA 2020

What is your session called?

How failed IT disposition policies invite negative publicity and compliance woes.

What is your Wisdom USA 2020 session about?

A whopping 59% of companies have experienced data breaches due to third-party service providers according to a recent Opus/Ponemon study. Increasingly, we see more companies in the news facing stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance and improper disposition of retired IT hardware. This session will explore common IT disposition practices that can create unintended risks, and that may also run contrary to your organization’s well-intentioned sustainability and social responsibility policies. Learn the strategies needed to prevent disastrous consequences from bad ITAD decisions.

How did you get started in ITAM?

I worked with many companies as a communications consultant. When presented with the opportunity to work full-time with Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), the non-profit developer and oversight body for the R2 Certification Program, I couldn’t pass up the chance to be part of a global organization that was making a positive impact around the world. Electronics have changed how we live, but not without some unintended consequences. SERI works to create a world where electronic products are reused and recycled in a way that promotes data security, resource preservation, the well-being of the natural environment, and the health and safety of workers and communities. I love helping to tell that story.

If you could change 1 thing in the ITAM industry, what would it be?

That organizations would fully understand how the decisions they make throughout the lifecycle of their IT assets have the opportunity to positively — or negatively — impact their company’s brand, reputation and bottom line.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

Talking with people and providing the information they need to make better decisions about responsibly reusing and recycling electronics throughout the product lifecycle.

What should people talk to you about?

How R2 Certification can be a powerful tool for reducing risk… and how the latest version of the R2 Standard (R2v3), which is soon to be released, has evolved to better serve the needs of a rapidly changing marketplace.

What’s your favourite book?

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

If you had your own chat show – who would be the first guest?

Adam Minter, author of “Second Hand”

If you’ve not yet registered for Wisdom USA 2020, don’t miss out – follow this link!

Can’t find what you’re looking for?