Women in the AV industry have long been trailblazers, breaking barriers, driving innovation and shaping the future of technology and integration. Their vision, leadership and expertise have left an enduring mark, inspiring progress across the field. For International Women’s History Month, Commercial Integrator sought out to honor their achievements with a special series.
Throughout the month, we asked some of the most remarkable women in AV, celebrating their contributions and sharing their stories to inspire and empower others in our industry. With the popularity of the series, we have extended #HerAVStory and welcome contributions throughout the year!
In this edition, we spotlight Anneke Hart, business development manager at LG Electronics UK. An accomplished specialist with 20-plus years of experience in the information, technology and electronics sectors, Hart specializes in sales and marketing, product management and channel management. In her role, she has been instrumental in driving revenue growth and brand visibility, optimizing distribution strategies for maximum profitability and brand reach.
Prior to joining LG, Hart worked in South Africa gaining valuable skills and meaningful mentorship opportunities. In the interview below, Hart describes her journey in the AV industry while reflecting on the need for collaboration over competition.
Read on to learn more about Anneke Hart!
Commercial Integrator: How did you get into the AV industry?
Anneke Hart: Like many in the AV industry, my path wasn’t exactly linear — but it was definitely meant to be. I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to work in AV, but I’ve always been drawn to technology, problem-solving and collaboration. Early in my career, I found myself working closely with technical teams on live events, and that’s when I got my first real taste of the AV world. I was intrigued and wanted to know more.
There is something special about the creativity and technical precision the field requires.
Breaking into the AV industry wasn’t always easy, especially as a woman, but I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and peers who supported my growth. I try to pay that forward by encouraging other women to consider AV as a rewarding, challenging and ever-evolving career path.
Commercial Integrator: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your AV industry career?
Anneke Hart: Working as a woman in the AV industry has brought its share of challenges — some subtle, some not so subtle. This is a field that’s still very male-dominated, especially in technical and leadership roles, and that imbalance shows up in ways both expected and surprising.
One of the biggest challenges has been earning credibility from the start. There have been countless moments where I’ve walked into a room and felt the immediate assumption that I wasn’t the lead, or that I lacked know-how. Whether it was being overlooked in conversations, having my input second-guessed, or needing to “prove myself” more than my male counterparts, those moments stick with you.
Another challenge is representation. Early on, I didn’t see many women who looked like me in senior roles or on-site tech teams. That lack of visibility can make it harder to picture your own path forward, or to feel like you truly belong in the room. It can also mean fewer mentors who understand your specific perspective.
That said, these challenges have also shaped my resilience. They’ve pushed me to speak up, to keep learning, and to take up space confidently — even when it’s uncomfortable. And over time, I’ve found my community: people who respect the work, value inclusion and want to see the industry grow in all the right ways.
The AV industry is evolving, and I’m encouraged by the growing conversations around diversity, equity, and representation. But we’re not there yet — but sharing our experiences as women is part of what will get us closer.
Commercial Integrator: Who would you point to as the most influential and helpful mentors in your career? What did they do to help you?
Anneke Hart: I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a few mentors who made a lasting impact on my career and saw my potential before I fully saw it myself. These are people from both my personal and professional life.
One of the most influential mentors in my early years was a genuine and sincere sales & business development director for a South African display manufacturing company — David Ross. During my initial startup phase in the AV industry, David offered me invaluable advice and guidance when I was still finding my footing. He never hesitated to share his knowledge, answer my questions or provide perspective on the bigger picture. I have always had immense respect for him — not only for his expertise, but for his willingness to take me under his wing. His support made a lasting impression, and I’ll never forget the role he played in helping shape my path.
The Value of Powerful Mentorship and Support
Anneke Hart: Later in my journey, when I transitioned into a larger corporate role in the unified communications space, I encountered a different but equally powerful kind of mentorship. My peers, many of whom were seasoned professionals, didn’t see me as an inexperienced woman trying to find her place. Instead, they treated me as their equal.
That acceptance and mutual respect gave me the confidence to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. Many of those colleagues remain close friends to this day, and their support was instrumental in helping me grow both professionally and personally.
Most importantly, my life partner, has been a constant source of both personal support and professional inspiration. He entered the AV industry as a young start-up and went on to build a successful business in the live events space. Today, he travels the globe implementing large-scale AV projects, often in the most exciting and unconventional environments. I have immense admiration for the passion, creativity, and dedication he brings to his work. Watching his journey unfold alongside mine has been both grounding and motivating.
I’ve been lucky to learn from people who saw potential in me, challenged me and stood beside me. Their support helped shape the professional I am today, and has inspired me to do the same for women and underrepresented voices coming up in AV.
Commercial Integrator: What is your proudest career accomplishment?
Anneke Hart: One of my proudest career accomplishments was being selected for a global mobility assignment to represent South Africa in Frankfurt, Germany. Being sent abroad to work within the German subsidiary of the organization was both a professional milestone and a deeply transformative experience.
It was my first time fully immersed in a different corporate culture, and it taught me invaluable lessons about how larger, more mature subsidiaries structure themselves for success. I saw firsthand how they divide the business into focused “pockets of excellence” – specialized areas of expertise that work in synergy to drive growth, innovation, and operations efficiency. It broadened my perspective not just on AV and unified communications, but on leadership, scalability and strategic execution.
This experience also challenged me in the best possibly ways: adapting to a new culture, navigating language barriers, and building trust within a high-performing team. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me grow not just as a professional, but as a global citizen.
What made this accomplishment so meaningful was not just the recognition that came with being chosen for the role, but the confidence I gained knowing I could contribute on an international stage. That experience continued to influence the way I approach projects and people — always with curiosity, empathy and a drive to deliver meaningful results.
Commercial Integrator: What do you love most about working in the AV industry?
Anneke Hart: What I love most about working in the AV industry is that it sits at the perfect intersection of technology, creativity, and human connection. Every project is a chance to solve a new challenge, tell a story through sound and visuals and bring people together. Whether that’s in a boardroom, a stadium or across time zones on a global call!
I also love the pace and variety. No two days are the same, and the technology is always evolving. Whether I’m collaborating with engineers, strategizing with business leaders or working on an international implementation, I’m constantly learning.
But perhaps what I love most is the community. The AV industry, while technical at its core, is full of passionate, incredibly skilled people who genuinely care about delivering excellence.
Commercial Integrator: How can the AV industry become even better?
Anneke Hart: The AV industry has made incredible strides over the years – especially in terms of technology, scale and global reach — but there’s still room for meaningful growth in how we work, who we include, and how we evolve together.
We need to continue prioritizing diversity and inclusion. We need more women, more people from underrepresented backgrounds and more diverse voices at every level — from the job site to the boardroom. That starts with mentorship, visibility and a real commitment to breaking down the barriers to entry.
I’d love to see the AV industry lean even more into collaboration over competition. Whether it’s between manufacturers, integrators or end users, there is huge value in sharing knowledge and aligning toward better standards, smoother interoperability and more consistent user experiences. Our work is only as strong as the ecosystem we build around it.
As we design and install increasingly complex systems around the world, we have a responsibility to think about long-term environmental impact — prioritizing aspects such as energy-efficient designs, responsible procurement or reducing electronic waste.
And finally, we need to keep investing in training and professional development. Technology evolves fast, and the best AV professionals are the ones who stay curious, adaptable and open to learning. Creating accessible pathways for people to grow their skills — whether they’re just starting out or decades in — is key to keeping our industry strong and future-ready.
The AV industry has so much potential not just to connect people, but to uplift them. And that’s what excited me most about being part of this community; we’re not just building systems; we’re building experiences that have real impact.
Would you like to nominate a peer or colleague — or perhaps yourself! — to be featured in this #HerAVStory series? If so, send an email to Commercial Integrator’s editorial team!
