TWISTD Voices: Mindy Pretzman
TWISD Voices is an interview series from The Women in Security Documentary highlighting the stories, experiences, and perspectives of women helping shape the security profession.
In this edition, we feature Mindy Pretzman, whose career has spanned law enforcement, executive protection, and the United States Secret Service. Throughout her journey, Mindy has led in high-pressure environments where resilience, preparation, and disciplined leadership are essential. She shares lessons from her career, advice for the next generation of security professionals, and insights from her upcoming book, Composure Under Pressure.
What originally drew you into the world of security and leadership?
I was drawn to the profession by my interest in criminal justice, the teamwork and competitiveness I experienced through athletics, and the challenge of the unknown. I wanted to discover whether I had the courage, discipline, and resilience to succeed in demanding environments.
Over time, that curiosity evolved into a passion for leadership, service, and helping people and teams perform at their best when the stakes are high.
What advice would you give women entering the security profession today?
If you are motivated by a purpose greater than yourself and are willing to embrace challenge and sacrifice, the security profession can be an incredibly rewarding career.
Focus on becoming exceptionally competent. People will watch you—some with scrutiny, others with admiration. Meet both with confidence, professionalism, and results.
And if you see someone whose career you admire, reach out. Mentorship and networking can shorten the learning curve and open doors you never expected.
Your upcoming book, Composure Under Pressure, explores leadership and execution in high-pressure environments. What inspired you to write it?
Participating in The Women in Security Documentary and engaging with audiences during the premieres inspired me to contribute something more from my career that others could apply in their own professional journeys.
After retiring from the Secret Service, I reflected on the mission, the pressure, the performance, and the remarkable people I worked alongside. Composure Under Pressure is the result of that reflection. It captures the lessons and operational insights gained throughout my career—the performance drivers that consistently distinguished exceptional leaders and performers in demanding, high-stakes environments.
While shaped by my experiences in the Secret Service, this is not a book about the Secret Service. It is a practical framework drawn from decades of operational experience on what it takes to make sound decisions, influence others, and execute effectively under pressure. In many ways, it is the resource I was searching for when I began my own career.
Throughout your years in law enforcement and the Secret Service, what lessons about resilience and disciplined leadership have stayed with you the most?
Resilience is built through repeated exposure to challenges, setbacks, and adversity. Each time we face and overcome difficulty, we strengthen our ability to endure future challenges. Over time, resilience develops into fortitude—the ability to sustain performance and persevere throughout a career.
One of the most important lessons I learned is that leadership is less about authority and more about influence. The most effective leaders earn trust through competence, consistency, and credibility.
Ultimately, resilience and disciplined leadership share the same foundation: doing what is required, especially when it is difficult, inconvenient, or uncomfortable.
What do you hope readers take away from Composure Under Pressure and apply in their own lives or careers?
My hope is that readers recognize they do not need a special title, extraordinary talent, or perfect circumstances to perform effectively under pressure. What they need is commitment, preparation, discipline, and the willingness to take deliberate action when it matters most.
The framework in Composure Under Pressure is built on competence, confidence, fortitude, influence, results, and impact—all anchored by the ability to maintain composure in demanding situations.
If readers walk away understanding that confidence is earned through competence, influence is built through credibility, and composure is a skill that can be developed, then my message will have achieved its purpose. Even more rewarding would be knowing that it helped someone become more effective, impactful, and fulfilled in their mission and career.
What do you hope audiences take away from The Women in Security Documentary?
I hope audiences walk away with a greater appreciation for the women who helped shape the security profession and the contributions they continue to make today.
What struck me most while reflecting on my own career was how many of my experiences mirrored those of women who entered the industry in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Despite progress, many of the same challenges, opportunities, and lessons remain relevant today.
The Women in Security Documentary provides a powerful platform to share those experiences, increase awareness, shorten the learning curve for others, and offer practical encouragement to those considering or building careers in the profession. Most importantly, I hope viewers see that it can be done—that barriers can be overcome, and that their contributions can make a meaningful difference.
About TWISD Voices
TWISD Voices highlights the stories, experiences, and perspectives of women helping shape the future of the security profession. Through these conversations, we continue the mission of The Women in Security Documentary: preserving stories, celebrating achievements, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
The Women in Security Documentary is now streaming on Prime Video.
