Will Bernhjelm
Vice President, Security
Security for Mall of America

Will Bernhjelm serves as Vice President of Security for Mall of America. In this role, Bernhjelm is focused on keeping the Mall’s 32 million visitors a year safe. During his tenure, he has significantly evolved the security strategy, positioning Mall of America as a leader in the industry. He played a critical role in launching facial recognition, along with expanding the capabilities of the K9 Unit to include both firearm and explosive detection. With his deep understanding of training from his military background, Bernhjelm developed a comprehensive security training program to ensure officers are prepared for the job. Additionally, he collaborates with local, state, and federal authorities to maintain the safety of the Mall.

Prior to becoming Vice President, Bernhjelm held several key positions within the Mall of America Security Department, including Director of Security, Patrol Captain, and Training Supervisor. He began his career at the Mall in 2002. Bernhjelm holds an A.A. in Law Enforcement from Alexandria Technical College and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from St. Cloud State University.

Bernhjelm served in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 10 years, with deployments to Kosovo and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. He is actively involved in professional organizations such as the National Retail Federation, SENTRY (a DHS Center of Excellence), and the American Society for Industrial Security. Bernhjelm was recently named one of the Twin Cities Business Top 100 for 2025, highlighting business leaders, trail blazers, and innovators in the community.