Episode 54: Lessons in Leadership, Legacy, and Listening – A Conversation with Mary Poquette

Send us Fan Mail"If you're going to call yourself an expert, make sure you are one."In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Mary Poquette, a pioneer in the background screening industry, co-chair of PBSA in its earliest years, and recipient of the Mike Sankey Lifetime Achievement Award. What follows is a rich, funny, and deeply insightful conversation that traces Mary’s journey from a high school teacher and word processor trainer to one of the most respected compliance leaders in screening.We talk about her early days with Verifications Inc., building a team from 10 to over 300 employees, and how she turned compliance into her calling. Mary opens up about the lessons that shaped her—from shredders and streakers to strategy and mentorship—and shares the powerful, practical advice she gives to newcomers today.From her volunteer work post-retirement to her memories of South Africa and Minnesota winters, this episode captures what it truly means to lead with integrity, humility, and humor.Key Takeaways:Start Small, Think Big: Mary joined a screening firm as its 10th employee and helped scale it to 300—proving the power of good people, strong systems, and a little bit of risk.Don’t Pretend to Know—Learn It: A misstep with the FCRA taught Mary a lifelong lesson about preparation and owning your expertise.Leadership Means Letting Go: As the company grew, Mary handed off departments but held onto compliance—her passion and strength.PBSA Built Her Up—and She Gave Back: From helping craft the first accreditation standards to mentoring future leaders, Mary’s PBSA journey is a model of service and growth.Listen, Prepare, and Keep Your Promises: These three principles guided her through every challenge and remain her lasting advice for industry newcomers.🎧 Episode 54 is live now. If Mary’s story inspired you, please share it with a colleague or friend in the industry—and don’t forget to subscribe, review, and repost to keep these conversations going.Connect with US:Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200