AVIXA Announces Frank Padikkala as Chairperson of the AVIXA Diversity Council
FAIRFAX, VA – June 22, 2020 – AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, is pleased to announce that the association’s Leadership Search Committee (LSC) has appointed Frank Padikkala, CTS-D, CEH, CHFI, Kairos Solution Architect at Panasonic, to serve as Chairperson of the AVIXA Diversity Council.
Padikkala is an AV/IT Engineer and tech enthusiast who places both innovation and inclusion at the heart of his design philosophy. As an AV and IT expert, he hopes to bridge the knowledge gap between the two industries which have already begun to overlap in a wide array of market segments. A firm advocate of both training and certification, Padikkala holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity in addition to more than 10 AV and IT certifications.
“The growth of the AVIXA Diversity Council in the last three years under Charmaine Torruella’s leadership has been meteoric and we will continue to honor her legacy,” said Sarah Joyce, Chief Global Officer of AVIXA. “Frank’s focus on outreach and the addition of both local and regional events will raise the sense of community and belonging that we champion at AVIXA.”
“The advancement of diversity within our AV community is so much more than training sessions and webinars,” said Frank Padikkala, Chairperson, AVIXA Diversity Council. “My biggest goal is to bring the community together for personal learning journeys through the creation of safe spaces where we can each learn from one another, learn about ourselves, and learn about the value and power of our own diversity. Everyone’s diversity journey is different, and inclusion is achieved through the shared and mutual acceptance of your identity and brand. The hope, with the focus on outreach efforts both locally and internationally, is that it will help to broaden our perspective and bring positive change within the global AV community.”
The AVIXA Diversity Council’s mission is to encourage inclusion and promote human, cultural, and systemic diversity in all forms within the commercial audiovisual industry through the utilization of professional networking, educational opportunities, leadership development, and community awareness. To learn more about the council and how to join, visit www.avixa.org/diversitycouncil.
AVIXA’s Foundation’s Mosaic Scholarship, conceived by AVIXA's Diversity Council in support of further inclusivity within the global AV industry, is accepting applications through July 31. This scholarship seeks to shine a light on young adults whose experience, background, and thinking will positively influence the future of the AV community. To learn more and apply, visit www.avixa.org/scholarships.
AVIXA is championing an environment of giving, sharing, mutual respect and equity through both learning and education. To read more about the association’s commitment to inclusion, or to sign the AV Industry Pledge for an Equitable Future, please visit www.avixa.org/about-us/a-culture-of-inclusion.
Download: Frank Padikkala Headshot
About AVIXA
AVIXA® is the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe, and the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. Established in 1939, AVIXA has more than 20,000 enterprise and individual members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, consultants, programmers, live events companies, technology managers, content producers, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA members create integrated AV experiences that deliver outcomes for end users. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership. Visit avixa.org.