The Innovation Group, organizers of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming program, and Global Gaming Business Magazine (GGB) last week hosted a virtual event honoring the winners of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, a program that recognizes young professionals making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry.
View the event here:
The winners were part of 150+ industry members who were nominated by colleagues who recognized their commitment and dedication to the gaming industry.
“During such a difficult time, it’s heartening to see so many excellent candidates nominated for the Emerging Leaders Program,” said The Innovation Group President Michael Soll, “These people are going to lead the industry now and into the future to bring back excellence in serving our customers and their families. The Innovation Group is proud to be able to showcase these remarkable individuals.”
“The quality of this year’s Emerging Leaders class is cut above the rest,” said Roger Gros, publisher of GGB. “They represent the best and the brightest of the gaming industry and anyone who has any doubts about the recovery of gaming after the pandemic need only to understand the dedication of these professionals to their craft.”
The selection process, says Gros, has become increasingly competitive with nominations growing by 50 percent over last year. “It’s incredible,” he said. “The talent. The diversity. We’re able to highlight a truly impressive group of young people shaping gaming’s future.”
During the virtual networking session, hear from the judges for the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40:
- Mark Birtha, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain
- Christie Eickelman, vice president of global marketing for Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), and chairwoman of Global Gaming Women
- Mick Ingersoll, director of gaming strategies at Everi Holdings, Inc.
- Virginia McDowell, former president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos, and former chairwoman of Global Gaming Women
Following the judge’s comments the five winners of the “Judges Choice” selection offered their history with the gaming industry and why they have achieved success:
- Melissa Aarskaug, Vice President of Business Development, Bulletproof
- Andre Barnabei, Vice President of Gaming at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
- Jennifer Palumbo Fales, Chief of Staff to the Chief of Product Officer & VP Global Brand Licensing, IGT
- Martin Lycka, Director of Regulatory Affairs/Trustee of the GVC Foundation U.S., GVC Holdings PLC
- Connie James, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Gaming, Scientific Games
And finally the remaining 35 recipients of the ELG program were announced:
- Marshall Adair, Vice President and Executive Producer – Digital / Online, Everi Holdings Inc.
- Eduardo Alvarez, Director of Sales – LatAm, AGS
- Allen Ambrogio, U.S. Director of Operations, Tipico
- Robert Baldassarre, Associate, Fox Rothschild LLP
- JaNessa Bumgarner, Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
- Charlotte Cain, HR Manager, Continent 8 Technologies
- Jeffrey Caldwell, Director of Hotel Operations, Encore Boston Harbor
- Cherchi Chen, Managing Director, Finance and Operations, NagaWorld
- Suzanne Duchene, Slot Operations Service Manager, Seneca Gaming Corporation
- Rick Eckert, Managing Director, Slot Performance & Analysis, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC
- Brad Egnor, Senior Vice President of Marketing, San Manuel Casino
- Ashley Eurich, Vice President, Lockdogs
- Don-Lee Hardy, Safety Specialist, Sycuan Casino Resort
- Molly Hart, Licensing and Compliance Manager, Gaming Capital Group, LLC
- Bryan Hayes, Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations, Foxwoods Resort Casino
- Matthew Heyerdahl, Chief Accounting Officer and Director of Finance, Gaming Arts
- Paul Juliano, Vice President of Operations, Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
- Mohit Kansal, Partner, Clairvest Group
- JoyceLynn Lagula, Design Director, Wilson Associates
- Zachary Levine, Corporate Vice President of Table Games Strategy, MGM Resorts International
- James Manuel, Director of Fine Dining, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
- Olena Nall, Director, Business Development, Wind Creek Hospitality
- Malou Neguembor, Head of CRM, Megalotto
- Mike Nguyen, Director of Engineering, JCM Global
- Mary Parker, Management and Program Analyst, National Indian Gaming Commission
- Marvin Phillips, Director of Information Technology, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort
- David Rittvo, Vice President Development, Caesars Entertainment Corp
- Sam Rook, Director of Marketing, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
- Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, Niagara Casinos (Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment)
- Araksi Sargsyan, Head of Business Development, DS Virtual Gaming
- Meghan Sleik, Director of Marketing, Aristocrat
- Steven Slotwinski, Chief Technology Officer, Eclipse Gaming Systems
- Anthony Strangia, Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Hui Min Tiffany Bernadette Tay, Associate Director, Strategic Planning, Marina Bay Sands Pte. Ltd
- Peter Wolff, Director of Global Technical Compliance, Gaming Laboratories International
Nominations for the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, class of 2022 will open in May. Visit GGBMagazine.com for all the information.
