The Innovation Group, a consulting firm that organizes the Emerging Leaders of Gaming series, and GGB announced the winners of the ‘Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40,’ a program that distinguishes young professionals making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry. 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. The winners were part of 150+ industry members who were nominated by colleagues due to their commitment and dedication to this sector.
Besides, on October 22nd, there will be a webinar in which some judges will choose five executives from these 40 leaders, as part of the traditional “Judges Choice.” The judges are Christie Eickelman (VP, Global Marketing, Gaming Laboratories International, and chairwoman of Global Gaming Women), Mick Ingersoll (Director of Gaming Strategies, Everi Holdings), Virginia McDowell (former President and CEO, Isle of Capri Casinos, and former chairwoman of Global Gaming Women), and Mark Birtha (President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain).
According to Michael Soll, president of The Innovation Group: “During such a difficult time, it’s heartening to see so many excellent candidates nominated for the Emerging Leaders Program. These people are going to lead the industry now and into the future to bring back excellence in serving our customers and their families. TIG is proud to be able to showcase these remarkable individuals.”
The diverse list of talented and proactive businessmen/women include companies such as GLI, Aristocrat, DS Virtual Gaming, IGT, Scientific Games, AGS, Everi Holdings, GVC Holdings, MGM Resorts International, and Caesars Entertainment, among others.
The complete 2020 Class of ‘Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40’ is the following:
1) Araksi Sargsyan (Head of Business Development, DS Virtual Gaming)
2) Meghan Sleik (Director of Marketing, Aristocrat)
3) Eduardo Alvarez (Director of Sales, Latin America, American Gaming Systems)
4) Peter Wolff (Director of Global Technical Compliance, GLI)
5) Melissa Aarskaug (VP of Business Development, Bulletproof, GLI)
6) Jennifer Palumbo Fales (Chief of Staff to the Chief of Product Officer & VP Global Brand Licensing, IGT)
7) Connie James (SVP, Chief Financial Officer, Gaming, Scientific Games)
8) Mike Nguyen (Director of Engineering, JCM Global)
9) Martin Lycka (Director of Regulatory Affairs/Trustee, GVC Foundation U.S., GVC Holdings)
10) Marshall Adair (VP and Executive Producer – Digital/Online, Everi Holdings)
11) David Rittvo (VP Development, Caesars Entertainment)
12) Zachary Levine (Corporate VP of Table Games Strategy, MGM Resorts International)
13) Bryan Hayes (SVP of Gaming Operations, Foxwoods Resort Casino)
14) Rick Eckert (Managing Director, Slot Performance & Analysis, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming)
15) Matthew Heyerdahl (Chief Accounting Officer and Director of Finance, Gaming Arts)
16) Anthony Strangia (Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement)
17) Mary Parker (Management and Program Analyst, National Indian Gaming Commission)
18) Charlotte Cain (HR Manager, Continent 8 Technologies)
19) Molly Hart (Licensing and Compliance Manager, Gaming Capital Group)
20) Sam Rook (Director of Marketing, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel)
21) Brad Egnor (SVP of Marketing, San Manuel Casino)
22) Nav Sandhawalia (Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, Niagara Casinos, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment)
23) James Manuel (Director of Fine Dining, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa)
24) Don-Lee Hardy (Safety Specialist, Sycuan Casino Resort)
25) Andre Barnabei (VP of Gaming at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh)
26) Olena Nall (Director, Business Development, Wind Creek Hospitality)
27) Hui Min Tiffany Bernadette Tay (Associate Director, Strategic Planning, Marina Bay Sands)
28) Mohit Kansal, Partner (Clairvest Group)
29) Marvin Phillips (Director of Information Technology, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort)
30) Cherchi Chen (Managing Director, Finance and Operations, NagaWorld)
31) Allen Ambrogio (Director of Operations, U.S., Tipico)
32) Steven Slotwinski (Chief Technology Officer, Eclipse Gaming Systems)
33) Paul Juliano (VP of Operations, Twin River Worldwide Holdings)
34) JaNessa Bumgarner (Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel)
35) Ashley Eurich (VP, Lockdogs)
36) Malou Neguembor (Head of CRM, Megalotto)
37) Suzanne Duchene (Slot Operations Service Manager, Seneca Gaming Corporation)
38) Jeffrey Caldwell (Director of Hotel Operations, Encore Boston Harbor)
39) Robert Baldassarre (Associate, Fox Rothschild)
40) JoyceLynn Lagula (Design Director, Wilson Associates)