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.
The honorees were selected from a record-breaking number of nominations solicited from the broader gaming industry, and reviewed by an esteemed selection committee, including: Justin Carter, Senior Vice President, Regional Operations, PENN Entertainment; Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA); Alex Dixon, President & CEO, Q Casino and DRA; Daron Dorsey, Executive Director, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM); Alan Feldman, Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming, International Gaming Institute at UNLV; Kelly Hatch, Executive Director, Global Gaming Women (GGW); and Sheila Morago, COO and Partner, Trilogy Group.
From professionals across commercial and tribal operations, to supplier-side innovators and professionals driving new industry segments, the latest class of honorees reflects a diverse cross-section of gaming and an industry in evolution.
“It’s an honor to help identify and showcase the remarkable individuals driving our industry into the future,” said Michael Soll, president of The Innovation Group.
“The gaming industry will prosper and thrive because of the impact of young and talented people,” continued Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine. “The innovation and creativity they bring with them is truly the lifeblood of gaming. Our congratulations to all the honorees.”
Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, Class of 2024:
- Nimota Adebowale, Director of Casino Operations, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
- Bahar Alaeddini, Partner, Harris Hagan
- Juliann Barreto, COO, Spectrum Gaming Group
- Stephanie Barrett, Senior Director Commercial Finance Gaming Ops / Game Sales, Aristocrat Gaming
- Crystal Beauchemin, Business Manager- Sports Wagering Division, Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- Holly Billy, Tribal Services Manager, BMM Testlabs
- Courtney Brack, Vice President, Gaming Operations, Everi
- Caroline Byne, Senior Account Executive, Konami Gaming
- Brooke Cartus, Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Seminole Hard Rock
- Davis Catlin, Managing Partner, Discerning Capital
- Lauren Cordeiro, Senior Director, Product Management, Light & Wonder
- Andy Dalugoda, Director Analytics, Bluberi Gaming
- Paolo Roberto De Leon, Senior Director, Online Casino Content, Caesars Digital
- Tomash Devenishek, CEO, Kero Sports
- Charles Dwaileebe, Director of Regulatory Compliance, Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
- David Forbes, Cyber Security Manager, NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Meghan Frye, Executive Director, NHBP Gaming Commission
- Katelyn Gehrke, Marketing and Communications Manager, JCM Global
- Samuel Gerrity, CEO, Saratoga Casino Holdings
- Leila Goelz, Chief People and Transformation Officer, Games Global
- Jose Gonzalez, Director of Compliance, Tuolumne Gaming Agency
- Qidan (Kiki) Guo, Vice President of Gaming Operations, Interblock Gaming
- Blake Hill, Vice President of FP&A, AGS LLC
- Christopher Jewett, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Bally’s Corporation
- Amy Jiang, Vice President, Velvix
- Blake Katsnelson, General Manager, Gila River Resorts & Casinos
- Anastasia Kokova, Group Kyiv Subsidiary Director, Playtech
- Mike Lei, Assistant Vice President of Slot Operations, MGM MACAU
- Jai Maw, Co-Founder & President, Betting Hero
- Nick Migliacci, Vice President, Revenue Management, Caesars Entertainment
- Oliver Musovski, Special Projects Manager, Ainsworth Game Technology
- Sara Panek, Vice President of Marketing, PENN Entertainment (via Hollywood St. Louis and River City Casino)
- Troy Pettie, Sales Engineering Director, Acres Manufacturing
- Jesse Robles, Executive Editor, Pechanga.net
- Kelly Trask, Director of Slot Performance & Strategy, SciPlay
- Ricardo Valdivia, Partner, Portilla, Ruy Diaz & Aguilar
- Danny Valoy, Vice President, Business Development & Acquisitions, VICI Properties
- Olia Wall, Legal Counsel, Eclipse Gaming Systems
- Joe Watkins, President, Worldpay Gaming Solutions
- Christopher Wood, Senior Interior Designer / Associate, HBG Design
The class of 2024 will be celebrated during the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Networking Reception, in partnership with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), on Wednesday, October 11, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the G2E Networking Lounge (Booth #5649). This event is open to all registered G2E attendees.
Nominations for the 2025 class of Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 will open in April 2024.
