Paula Mendes is a Director at Pinkerton with more than 20 years of professional experience spanning security and risk management, business operations, client advisory, and solutions development. She works at the intersection of security and business, helping organizations understand their risk exposure, identify protection needs, and translate complex challenges into practical, business-aligned security solutions.
Her security experience encompasses workplace violence mitigation, threat assessment, intelligence, investigations, protective operations, travel security, and incident management. In her role at Pinkerton, Paula combines this expertise with client leadership, P&L responsibility, and a strong understanding of business operations to develop solutions that address organizational risk while supporting operational objectives.
She brings a structured, analytical approach to risk management, with a focus on connecting intelligence and incident information to actionable decisions, strengthening security processes, and aligning the right expertise and resources with client needs.
Career Highlights
Incident Management Innovation: Created an incident management database and reporting system to improve how incident information was captured, organized, tracked, and reported. The system strengthened investigative support and contributed to a case resulting in 16 arrests.
Featured in The Women in Security Documentary: Recognized in the documentary as a security professional, reflecting her contribution to the security industry and her professional experience in corporate security and risk management.
Work Experience
Paula’s experience spans corporate security, risk management, client advisory, and business operations. Throughout her career, she has worked with organizations to address security challenges, evaluate operational requirements, and develop solutions tailored to their risk environments. Her background combines security-related project leadership with client relationship management, business development, and operational execution.
At Pinkerton, Paula has progressed from Account Manager to Associate Director and Director, taking on broader responsibility for client relationships, business performance, and the development of security solutions. In her current role, she combines P&L accountability with client advisory and solutions development, translating identified security needs into recommendations that align with client priorities and business requirements.
Her work has included supporting corporate security requirements involving workplace violence mitigation, threat assessments, intelligence, investigations, executive security, and international travel through high-risk environments. Working with client stakeholders and Pinkerton’s service capabilities, she helps connect identified risks with appropriate mitigation approaches and practical security solutions.
Drawing on her broader experience in business operations, project management, and process development, Paula has also developed tools and processes to improve incident information management and investigative support. Her work reflects an approach to security that connects operational detail with structured reporting, informed decision-making, and tangible client outcomes.
Education & Training
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Foreign Trade – Sao Paulo/ Brazil
Skills
Security Strategy & Program Development
Security Solutions Development
Workplace Violence Mitigation
Threat Assessment & Management
Corporate Security & Risk Management
Intelligence & Investigations
Incident Management & Reporting
Executive Security Support
Travel Security
Operational Improvement & Process Development
Data Analysis & Strategic Reporting
Client Advisory & Relationship Management
Project Management
Affiliations
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
ASIS International — Miami, Florida Chapter; Advisory Board
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Language(s)
English
Portuguese
Spanish