Two Decades. Three Women. One Constant at CEDIA.

The professional smart home industry has undergone dramatic shifts over the past two decades. Twenty years ago, the iPhone had not yet been released, VHS tapes were still common, and home automation was just beginning to enter the mainstream conversation. But through all this evolution, three things have remained constant in the industry: the dedicated presence of Wendy Griffiths, Amanda Cannon, and Jody Larsen.

These exceptional women have been with CEDIA since the mid-2000s—that’s more than half as long as CEDIA’s been around. With a combined wealth of knowledge, they graciously shared what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what continues to inspire their work in the smart home industry.

What was your path into the smart home industry? Did you ever have moments of doubt about whether this was the right industry for you, or did you always know this was where you belonged?

Wendy Griffiths, Senior Vice President, Membership & Global Development: Like many in the smart home industry, my path wasn’t a straight line. Interestingly, I began my career as a pharmaceutical buyer (another male-oriented industry) in South Africa before returning to the UK in the late 1990s. I chose to move from a corporate structure to something that I was passionate about: music and the world of publishing and events within the pro-audio, hi-fi, and consumer electronics space.

As the hi-fi world began to embrace multi-room audio and home cinema, it evolved into what we now know as “custom installation,” and I evolved with it. The transition felt organic, driven by a shared passion for sound and how to bring the live music experience into homes.

Did I always know this was the right industry for me? I think the answer revealed itself over time. Now, with over 25 years in this space, that sense of community and purpose is what grounded me then and continues to inspire me now.

Amanda Cannon, Membership Services Manager: I came to CEDIA after interning with another nonprofit, so it was a natural segue in some regards. On the other hand, the tech world was totally new to me, so it was a bit intimidating at first. What I quickly learned though, is that people genuinely love what they do. When they talk about the projects they’re working on, you can see the excitement in their eyes (or a lot of times in my case, hear it in their voice over the phone). Working in membership gave me the chance to connect with so many of these passionate individuals on a regular basis. That’s what sold me on sticking around.

Jody Larsen, Director of Business Development and Sales: I joined the organization when they were managed by an association management company. My start in the industry was actually working on multiple associations that they managed. My focus on CEDIA didn’t come until they went captive. Once I started attending more in-person events and meeting the members, it really solidified my passion for the industry. Networking is such an integral part of this association, and it is energizing for me.

As a working mom, I certainly faced my share of challenges, but I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most compassionate and supportive people. Their understanding over the past 20 years has had an impact on not only me but my family. I am incredibly grateful.

How has the industry and CEDIA evolved since you started, especially for women? Have you noticed more opportunities or a shift in perception?

Wendy: The evolution of both the industry and CEDIA has been significant since I first started, especially when it comes to the visibility and involvement of women. One of the clearest indicators of this progress is seen at industry events. For example, at ISE, the percentage of women attendees has steadily increased—from just 8 percent in 2016 to nearly 18 percent this year. At the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, particularly across EMEA, we continue to see strong female representation and growing engagement with nearly 30 percent of the attendee’s women.

When I first joined CEDIA, the staff was predominantly male. Today, women make up a greater percentage of the team, a remarkable shift that reflects broader changes within the organization. At the leadership level, the transformation is even more striking. Where female representation on the CEDIA board was once occasional and sporadic, for the last decade we have had multiple women on the CEDIA board at any one time. Currently, two fantastic women serve on our Executive Committee. The ISE board, on which I also sit, has seen similar progress.

Of course, there’s still work to be done, particularly within the integrator community, where gender imbalance remains more pronounced. But the momentum is there, and the direction is clear. Opportunities are growing, perceptions are shifting, and I am pleased to say that the industry is becoming more inclusive and representative of the diverse talent it holds.

Amanda: Throughout my time in membership, I’ve been fortunate to work mostly with a full female team, which is quite the contrast to the broader industry. It’s still a male-dominated field for sure, but there has been a noticeable shift since I started. There was a time when people assumed women weren’t technical and were surprised at their knowledge of the industry. Now, it’s not uncommon to see women in the conversation, and their opinions valued. As for CEDIA, many of our core values have remained consistent, even decades later, but we’re constantly evolving along with the industry.

Jody: It’s been encouraging to see the growth of women in the industry over the years. I do remember going to events and searching for another female. While we don’t have to wait for the women’s bathrooms yet at an event, we are moving in the right direction. It is great to see more women in our channel, especially in leadership positions.  You can look at CEDIA’s board of directors and see the representation.

Who has been a role model or mentor to you? I’d love to hear about their leadership style, words of wisdom, or accomplishments.

Wendy: I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with many inspiring women throughout my journey, from those I work with daily and others I’ve met in my global role at CEDIA. One particularly influential figure from my early career was Angela Curtis. Angie not only introduced me to the hi-fi industry and guided me through those initial scary days, but she’s also remained a driving force. I’ll never forget my very first industry event, a regional hi-fi show held in a hotel. As we arrived, Angela turned to me and said, “Stay in the bar—you’ll meet the whole industry there. That’s where all the real business gets done.” While the industry has evolved since then, that early piece of advice stuck with me. It was less about the bar and more about understanding where relationships are built and influence happens.

What I’ve come to value most is the strong sense of community and camaraderie among women in our field. Every day, I’m inspired by female board members who’ve had to push a bit harder to be heard, to be seen, and ultimately, to be elected into their positions. I’m continually impressed by women-led businesses, particularly in the smart home and integration sectors, an area still heavily male-dominated in many parts of the world.

One recent encounter that truly moved me was meeting Rashmi, a remarkable business owner based in Delhi. She runs one of the few female-led integration companies in India, a trailblazer in a space where women are significantly underrepresented. Her passion, resilience, and vision are nothing short of inspiring.

These women each embody a leadership style rooted in resilience, authenticity, and connection, and they remind me daily of the power of representation and the importance of lifting others as we rise.

Amanda: One person who immediately comes to mind is Billilynne Keller. She made a lasting impact on CEDIA, even after she stepped away. Whenever she was in the office, you could just feel her presence, and it was noticeable how much she was respected. She set high expectations and always kept the best interests of the industry at heart, which I always admired.

Jody: My initial role model was definitely Billilynne Keller. She played a significant role in the early years of forming CEDIA but a lot of her management style and wisdom has stayed with me. She was willing to take risks and try new things. After her retirement, I think I pulled wisdom from CEDIA staff around me to some of our amazing volunteers. There are too many to mention and I am afraid I would miss one. I truly take something from each conversation I have with staff and our members. Hearing their stories and experiences is something I genuinely value. I appreciate the passion and dedication of our volunteers. It’s often a thankless job, but their impact is undeniable.

If you could go back in time and talk to the young woman who was applying for a job at CEDIA, what would you tell yourself?

Wendy: If I could go back and speak to the young woman applying for a job at CEDIA, I’d offer two key pieces of advice. First: don’t be intimidated. You have every right to be heard, and your ideas and perspectives are valid. Confidence comes from understanding your value, even in unfamiliar spaces.

Second: knowledge is power. Make the effort to get out into the field—see what our members are doing day to day. There’s no substitute for firsthand experience when it comes to truly understanding the smart home industry. That insight builds not only credibility, but connection.

And honestly, this advice isn’t just for my younger self—it applies to anyone joining CEDIA, regardless of gender. We’re part of an incredible, fast-moving industry. The more you understand the projects and people behind the technology, the more impact you can have. Shared knowledge is the foundation of shared purpose.

Amanda: I’d tell myself to always keep an open mind and stay eager to learn. There’s always someone who can teach you something valuable. Also, take time to appreciate the moments. Being in the industry for this long, some of what we do can become a bit of a routine. Often at events, I try to take a moment to step back and appreciate how cool our jobs are. The technology we get to experience and the diversity of people we work with is truly special.

Jody: Speak up more and take more risks. Early on, I hesitated to speak up because I didn’t feel like an industry or tech expert. Now that I have found my footing, I tend to be more vocal—though I’m sure a few folks wouldn’t mind if we went back to my quiet phase. Listen with intention, embrace the change, and be thankful for the journey.