LAS VEGAS – The Innovation Group, organizers of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming (ELG) program, and Global Gaming Business magazine (GGB) have announced the honorees of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, a program that recognizes professionals under the age of 40 already making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry.
A diverse cross-section of professionals nominated to be recognized for their achievements within and for their dedication to the gaming industry was then chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of respected gaming leaders, including:
- Melissa Aarskaug, Vice President of Business Development, Bulletproof;
- Justin Carter, Senior Vice President, Regional Operations / Chair of Diversity, PENN Entertainment, Inc.;
- Alex Dixon, President & CEO, Q Casino and DRA;
- Daron Dorsey, Executive Director, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM); and
- Sheila Morago, COO and Partner, Trilogy Group.
“The latest class of honorees well reflects the modern gaming industry, with a record number of individuals already holding impressive, senior-level positions and a noticeable increase in professionals leading the critically important areas of compliance and government affairs,” said Michael Soll, president of The Innovation Group.
“The quality of this year’s Emerging Leaders class is really extraordinary,” said Roger Gros, publisher of GGB. “Their accomplishments at such a young age are an inspiration to all who strive for excellence in our industry.”
Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, Class of 2025:
- Timothy Aguilar, Vice President Business Development, Caesars Digital
- Jonathan Aiwazian, CEO, idPair
- Kyle Anderson, VP of Property Marketing, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel
- Gabrielle Angle, Business Development Director – North America Gaming & Licensing, GeoComply
- Andrew Baca, Executive Director, Global Head of Product, Gaming, J.P. Morgan
- Mark Barrath, Director, Retention & Monetization, Golden Hearts Games
- Boris Borisov-Lukov, Vice President of Finance, Caesars Entertainment
- Cassie Brickman, CEO, Betting Hero
- Stephanie Bruckner, Executive Director, Global Portfolio Strategy – Gaming, Light & Wonder
- Joe Casole, Vice President, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, IC360
- Jody Collins, Vice President, Global Development, MGM Resorts International
- Darryl DeRaedt, Vice President of Operations, Everi
- Jocelyn Fietkiewicz, Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Ben Freedland, General Counsel, Minnesota State Lottery
- Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research, International Gaming Institute, UNLV
- Jeremy Hirst, Director of Casino Optimization & Analytics, Tangam Systems
- Akshay K. Khanna, Co-founder and CEO, Jackpot.com
- Clint Koehn, Vice President of Gaming Operations, Gaming Capital Group
- Alesha Konskey, Gaming Operations Specialist,
- Anthony Kosturos, Chief Financial Officer, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
- Jordan M. Maynard, Interim Chair, Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- Ashley McColloch, Director Account Management – North America, Inspired Gaming Group
- Geneva Mojado, Vice Chair, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
- Jeff Morales, Vice President of IT Operations, Cordish Gaming Group
- Sarah Murray, Food and Beverage Shared Service Manager, River Spirit Casino Resort
- Megan Nation, VP of Professional Services & Sales, Wondr Nation
- Paul Parry, Senior Engineering Manager, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
- Karolina Pelc, Founder BeyondPlay, VP BeyondPlay, FanDuel
- Declan Raines, Senior Director – US Gaming, TransUnion
- Presley M.C. Redeye, Councilor, Seneca Nation Council
- James Seils, Co-Founder and CTO, BettorEdge
- Lisa Singer, VP Brand & Strategy, High 5 Games
- Ashley Skeen Unga, Senior Director of Customer Success, Gaming Analytics
- Jonathan Smith, Senior Director Sales Operations and Strategy, IGT
- Jo’Elle Thompson, Compliance Officer, National Indian Gaming Commission
- Rickard Vikström, CEO & Founder, Internet Vikings
- Julia Weygandt, Chief Operations Officer, G Gaming Ltd
- Kassi Yellowitz-Melton, Vice President of Sales, Gift & Go
- Tres,York, Senior Director, Government Relations, American Gaming Association
- Alexx Zawada, Chief Marketing Officer, Potawatomi Casino Hotel
The Class of 2024 will be celebrated during the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Networking Reception, in partnership with Global Gaming Expo, on Wednesday, October 9, from 4 to 5 PM in the G2E Networking Lounge (Booth #5649).
About ELG: Emerging Leaders of Gaming has established itself as the go-to network for young professionals assuming the next generation of leadership in gaming, entertainment, hospitality, food and beverage, tourism and leisure. It supports the growth and development of these rising stars on their path to success and future senior-level and C-suite positions.
About GGB: Global Gaming Business magazine, a division of Clarion Gaming, is the leading monthly gaming trade publication focusing on the international casino industry. Distributed to 14,000 of the industry’s most important executives around the world, as well as public officials, regulators, attorneys and Native American governments, GGB magazine is the casino industry’s complete source for business information.
About TIG: The Innovation Group has long been recognized as the world’s most respected and sought-after research and advisory firm, specializing in the gaming, entertainment, hospitality and leisure industries. To date, our research and analyses have driven over $100 billion in investment decisions across more than 80 countries and six continents. The Innovation Group’s accuracy and reliability is unparalleled, with our forecasts historically tracking within 5% of actual revenues across the most complex of gaming jurisdictions throughout the globe.
