The Rise of Alona Saskele: From Events Scheduler to Strategic Leader

Alona Saskele’s story doesn’t begin with a five-year plan. It begins with a life-changing decision to move to the UK, not simply in search of better opportunities, but to completely redefine what a ‘better life’ could look like. It’s a story she’s written with quiet determination and the kind of resilience that endures.

Alona didn’t plan on working in security. In fact, she laughs when she remembers how it began. “I had no idea about the security industry,” she says. “When I went in for the interview, I had only read about events on the website, thinking that’s what I’d be doing.”

She made it, and then the pandemic struck. And her job title – Event Scheduler, suddenly felt ironically out of place in a world without events. But rather than retreat, Alona leaned in. Absorbed into the furlough scheme, she began manually managing communications, answering questions, and learning systems she’d never touched before.

And that was the beginning of something bigger.  

Through those uncertain months, Alona began to uncover a quiet but powerful strength, her instinct to lead, a gift for clarity in chaos, and a habit of stepping forward before anyone asked.

“I developed a skill set around workforce management system,” she says. It quickly turned into something greater – supporting teams across the Southern Division, and then, into national roles, first as Business Support Manager, and later, as Head of Operational Support. But she wasn’t chasing job titles; she was driven by something deeper. “I’m one of those people who can’t sit still,” she admits. “If I notice a pattern or problem, I’ll come up with something. I’ll go to the business and say, ‘What if we try this?’” This mindset didn’t just help her rise, but helped others to rise with her.

By 2024, Carlisle was ready to make one of its boldest moves yet. The complete removal of subcontracting. A risky move in a risk-averse industry, and Alona was at the heart of it. “Some businesses thought we were crazy,” she recalls. “But we didn’t just attempt it. We did it.”

The results? Immediate, undeniable. “You could see the difference from one event to another. Our quality, the training, and the customer service went from being good to brilliant.”

She saw firsthand how it empowered Carlisle’s frontline, “We’ve seen our people grow, take pride in their work, and represent Carlisle with excellence,” she says. “It’s not just about reducing costs. It’s about investing in our own.”

But for Alona, it’s always been about people. And the culture she’s helped shape reflects that. “I’ve always felt supported here. Even as a mother juggling a demanding role, the flexibility and understanding from the business have never been questioned.” Being a mother hasn’t been a limitation. It’s been a lens. Her ten-year-old daughter has grown up watching her build something real. “She asks me, ‘What do you do at your job?’” Alona smiles. “It’s hard to explain to a 10-year-old, but I know she sees the effort.”

There’s a fierceness to her, but also a deep well of empathy. She’s leading processes as well as nurturing people. “The most rewarding part is seeing people grow in confidence and skill. Everyone in my team knows their role. They trust each other. They trust me.”

Today, her focus is two-fold: developing her department further and creating space for others to thrive. She continues to support Carlisle’s national operations while championing women across the business through her leadership as part of Carlisle’s internal Women in Security (WIS) committee. “The biggest thing that needs to shift is mindset and the invisible challenges women face,” she believes. “Women don’t just belong in security; they thrive in it.”

She knows the industry still has work to do. But she also knows where change begins. “You can’t walk into a room full of men worrying about what they think of you,” she says. “You talk to them as people. If they’ve got hang-ups about gender, that’s their problem. It shouldn’t stop you.”

Ask her what’s next, and she won’t give a blueprint. “I’m not that kind of person,” she smiles. “I make the best of where I am and build from there.” And that’s exactly what she’s doing. Quietly. Relentlessly. With courage, compassion, and a determination that doesn’t fade.

This isn’t a typical career story. It’s not clean and linear; it’s real. And in the ever-evolving world of security, Alona Saskele stands not just as a leader but as living proof that purpose, pride, and persistence can transform not only a career but an entire culture.