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, 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!
This month, we spotlight Victoria Sanville, director, corporate and public sector, vertical sales at LG Electronics. Sanville, a trusted senior advisor, has over 20 years of strategic experience in government and corporate operations, public affairs and crisis management. She also played a major role in building LG’s public sector team from the ground up.
Read on to learn more about Victoria Sanville!
Interview with Victoria Sanville of LG Electronics
Commercial Integrator: How did you get into the AV industry?
Victoria Sanville: I started my career working in government as a staffer on Capitol Hill, focusing on legislation, infrastructure funding and public sector innovation. That experience in government operations and procurement eventually led me to LG Electronics USA, where I was initially hired for government sales. Later, I was assigned to build out a public sector team within LG’s B2B Information Display division, and that was a pivotal moment that became my entry point into AV. It allowed me to merge my government experience with business development and shape strategy in the AV industry, which is rapidly evolving toward AI-driven automation, immersive experiences and sustainable solutions.
CI: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your AV career?
Sanville: Coming into AV without a traditional background meant a steep learning curve —everything from display tech to integration ecosystems was new. I was also tasked with translating customer needs, especially in education, into product strategy while still learning the space myself.
But I wasn’t alone. So many colleagues at LG generously shared their expertise — whether in hardware, software, partner networks or vertical markets. Their support helped me grow quickly and shaped how I lead: with curiosity, collaboration and a focus on impact.
CI: Who have been the most influential mentors in your career?
Sanville: I’ve been fortunate to learn from mentors across industries, from government officials to tech executives, who shaped how I think, lead and grow.
One of the most formative mentors was a Member of Congress I worked for early in my career. He expected me to stay five steps ahead on policy, communications and constituent engagement. That taught me to anticipate needs, manage problems proactively, and always trying to stay ahead of the curve — skills that have carried through every role I’ve held.
Another was the general counsel of a startup, who probably doesn’t even know he had that impact. He pulled me into projects well beyond my consulting role, giving me the chance to wear many hats in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment. This was where I first applied SWOT analysis to real business challenges and began to see how different functions connect to drive growth. That experience shifted me from policy specialist to strategic problem-solver and reframed sales as storytelling and solution-building.
At LG, a mentor put me through what I jokingly call “consultant boot camp.” He challenged me to go beyond selling and instead build full business strategies using methodology. That experience taught me how to think like an operator — how to scale, lead and continuously evolve.
Each of these mentors pushed me to see the bigger picture, take risks and grow beyond my job description.
CI: What is your proudest career accomplishment?
Sanville: One of my proudest accomplishments earlier in my career, when I was working on the government side, was helping land a semiconductor manufacturer to build a fabrication facility that created more than 10,000 jobs and reshaped a region’s economy. It showed me how policy and collaboration can directly impact communities.
At LG, I’m most proud of building our Public Sector team from the ground up. But I didn’t do it alone. I started with four incredibly capable individuals, and together we grew into a 17-person national team covering federal, state, local and education markets. Many of the people who reported to me also taught me — managing up, challenging assumptions and helping shape our strategy.
More than building a team, it’s about building a business with purpose. Seeing our solutions in schools, command centers and government buildings — and knowing they help people learn, communicate and serve — has been deeply rewarding.
CI: What do you love most about working in the AV industry?
Sanville: AV is where technology meets human experience. Our solutions aren’t just hardware — they enable storytelling, learning, safety and connection. From classrooms to command centers, AV transforms how people engage with the world. I also love the pace of innovation and the chance to collaborate with brilliant engineers, integrators and designers. No two days are the same, and every project brings new challenges and opportunities to create impact.
CI: How can the AV industry become even better?
Sanville: The industry needs deeper collaboration across architects, consultants, integrators and manufacturers. Design challenges aren’t just technical — they’re financial and experiential. The earlier manufacturers like LG are pulled into conversations, the faster we can co-create solutions that align with design intent, budget and long-term value. The industry also needs to broaden its view of inclusion — beyond traditional diversity concepts like race and gender – it’s about welcoming talent from IT, education, architecture, hospitality and other fields. These varied perspectives challenge assumptions and drive innovation.
As AV and IT converge, interoperability both in systems and in teams must be prioritized. At LG, we’re all about innovation for a better life for all. The future of AV is about creating environments that are functional, beautiful, sustainable and inclusive.
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!
