My name is Richele Callender. I currently hold the
position of Executive Team Leader of Assets Protection for Target
T1344, Rego Park, NY. I obtained both my Bachelor of
Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Professional Studies in
Criminal Justice Leadership at St. John’s University in Queens,
NY.
In 2004 I received the St. John’s University Certificate of
Excellence Award and also had the honor of serving as Diploma
Representative for the College of Professional Studies in May of
that year. I was a member of Alpha Phi Sigma National
Criminal Justice Honor Society, Caribbean Students Association, St.
John’s University Honor Society and the Big Brother/Big Sister’s
Mentor Program. I was one of the first students to graduate
with a 4.0 from the Criminal Justice Leadership Program.
Enrolling in this program afforded me the opportunity to acquire
leadership skills from one of the most well respected Criminal
Justice Graduate Programs in the country. I found this
experience to be both challenging as well as rewarding! Upon
completion of my Masters in May of 2004, I began my plight toward a
career in Criminal Justice. And in so doing, I decided to
attend all of the career fairs that were sponsored by the
University’s Career Center. It was at one of these career
fairs that I was introduced to Target and the world I’ve come to
now know as Assets Protection.
I was recruited by the Target College Campus Recruiting Team and
started with the company in June of 2005. I chose a career at
Target Corporation first and foremost, because I was intrigued by
the idea of working for such a well-recognized and respected
organization. I also believed that this experience would
provide me with the opportunity to showcase my leadership
skills. Slowly but surely, I was able to turn my classroom
experience into real-life experience.
Target’s eight-week Business College Program for Executive
Trainees also helped to fine-tune these skills. Target is a
company that values individual achievements as well as team
efforts. I truly appreciate that in a company. This
organization not only values diversity, but also works tirelessly
to give back to the community. Being an Executive of Assets
Protection has presented me an opportunity to not only oversee a
large team of store detectives and door guards, but also to serve
as a mentor, as well as teach and coach Team Members, Team Leads
and Executives to come.
Our Department is responsible for Maximizing Safeness and
Minimizing Theft and Fraud. We conduct internal interviews as
well as external apprehensions. Since starting with the
company 18 months ago, I’ve also taken on the roles of Business
College Assets Protection Co-Instructor, District Assets Protection
Instructor and Assessor, as well as Target College Campus
Recruiter, which I find most rewarding.
St. John’s University and Target Corporation have both played an
important role in my growth as not only an individual, but as well
as a leader!