POWER PLAYERS
Meet the women driving growth, inspiring teams, and making their mark across the gaming industry
By Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic
Women continue to make their mark across the gaming industry,bringing fresh perspectives,bold ideas and a commitment to excellence to an ever-evolving business. Each year, our Women Leaders in Gaming feature celebrates a few of the outstanding women whose leadership, vision and determination are helping shape the future of gaming. From overseeing casino operations and major resort developments to guiding marketing strategies for some of the industry’s most recognized brands, these women are making an impact at every level.
This year, we spotlight women shaping the future of casino gaming, including Marci Fryberg, COO of Tulalip Gaming Organization, who is leading her team through an exciting period of growth following a major expansion at Tulalip Resort Casino. We also visit ilani in Ridgefield, WA, for an inside look at the women making their mark, and shine a light on the Seneca Nation, where women executives are carrying forward a rich tradition of leadership while driving innovation and growth at Seneca Resorts & Casinos. As the organization celebrates 25 years of achievement, we explore how these accomplished leaders are strengthening guest experiences, shaping the company’s vision and creating opportunities for the next generation.
For the first time, we’re expanding our annual Women Leaders feature beyond casino operations to take a closer look at the supplier side of the gaming industry. Our conversation with Emily Schmitt, senior vice president of global marketing at IGT, explores the creative thinking, strategy and teamwork that go into bringing some of the industry’s most recognizable games to casino floors. From the enduring popularity of the Wheel of Fortune brand, which celebrates its 30th anniversary, to the excitement surrounding new releases, Schmitt shares her perspective on what makes a game connect with players, how marketing helps build that excitement and why understanding the casino guest remains at the heart of innovation. With experience spanning major gaming brands and a fresh perspective in her role at IGT, she offers an inside look at the people, ideas and passion behind the games players love.
Although their paths to leadership are different, these women share a commitment to moving the gaming industry forward. Through their experience, ideas and leadership, they are shaping the guest experience, developing strong teams and building organizations prepared for the future. In this year’s Women Leaders feature, we bring their voices and perspectives together to celebrate the women making an impact today and helping define what comes next in an industry that never stands still.
Building A Legacy Beyond the Gaming Floor
From blueprint to billion-dollar destination, Kara Fox-LaRose helped bring the Cowlitz Tribe’s ambitious vision to life decades-long vision. A billion-dollar investment. A legacy built to last.
As president and general manager of ilani in Washington, Kara Fox-LaRose guided the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s vision from blueprint to opening and beyond. When ilani opened in April 2017, thousands of guests arrived, backing up Interstate 5 traffic. Today, the more than $1 billion resort anchors the region’s entertainment scene and has contributed to evolving the gaming market in the Pacific Northwest.
From Opportunity to Influence: Proving What’s Possible
Fox-LaRose spent nearly two decades with her tribe, the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, rising from an administrative role through hard work and business savvy, earning the tribe’s confidence. In her previous role as assistant general manager of Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania, the tribe’s first commercial gaming venture off-reservation, she helped shape and execute a multimillion-dollar expansion featuring a hotel, convention center and spa.
Her accomplishments earned her recognition as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business and Global Gaming Business’s 2016 “25 People to Watch.” In 2021, she was named a Portland Business Journal Woman of Influence.
When the CowlitzTribe appointed her president and general manager, she faced an ambitious undertaking: establish a brand, build an executive team, recruit more than 1,000 employees, and earn trust in the community before opening day.
More Than Gaming
“Opening ilani was about so much more than launching a business. It was an opportunity to help bring the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s vision to life, create meaningful opportunities for its members and the community, and build something that would make a lasting difference. Being part of that journey is something I will always take great pride in.”
That vision shaped ilani’s growth, from expanded gaming and dining to a hotel tower, convention center and evolving the gaming market. Equally important is the culture she fostered with her team: rooted in respect, belonging, reciprocity, cooperation and shared stewardship.
Fox-LaRose has cultivated regional relationships and partnerships, including the tribe’s Gaming Commission, Health and Human Services and Public Safety Departments, and serves on the Washington State Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling Board. She also values the collaboration among Washington tribes and regulatory agencies, believing open dialogue and shared learning ensure tribal, regulatory and community perspectives are considered.
Building What Comes Next
For Fox-LaRose,ilani represents far more than business success. It embodies the CowlitzTribe’s perseverance and decades-long pursuit of a homeland, now supporting ilani’s nearly 2,000 team members and welcoming millions of guests. As she looks ahead, her focus remains on expanding that impact and creating opportunities for the tribe.
“I want to see ilani continue to create opportunities for Cowlitz family members, strengthen the tribe’s enterprise, and inspire the next generation of leaders to embrace opportunity, lead with confidence, and recognize what is possible when people work together.”
Fox-LaRose has since been appointed president of the Cowlitz Tribal Gaming Authority, where she is focused on shaping the tribe’s strategic vision and exploring new opportunities for its gaming enterprise.
Culture of Leadership
Women leaders creating long-term vision for Seneca Resorts & Casinos
Since 2002, Seneca Resorts & Casinos has become one of the gaming industry’s leading operators, with three world-class gaming properties and a championship golf course, supported by nearly 3,000 team members in Western New York. The company has invested more than $2 billion to develop, expand and renovate its properties, staying at the leading edge of excitement, innovation and guest experience, with a keen focus on providing guests unparalleled service during each visit. Because of that commitment, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo have all become destinations of choice, welcoming millions of guests each year from throughout the United States, Canada and around the world.
More than an economic engine for Western New York, Seneca Resorts & Casinos provides vital funding for the Seneca Nation to support programs and services for its people, as well as exciting career pathways for Seneca Nation members. As the company celebrates its first 25 years, it is leaning into an important element of Seneca Nation culture to prepare it for ongoing success—the powerful voice and leadership of women.
“We are a matrilineal society,”said Seneca Resorts & Casinos President & CEO Kevin Nephew, who, in 2020, became the first Seneca Nation member to be named to lead the gaming corporation. “Throughout history, Seneca women have sustained not only our identity, but our culture and traditions as well. As a Seneca company, we reflect that core part of who we are with a strong presence of exceptionally bright, driven and strong women in leadership positions at every level and in every area of our operations. Their voice, vision and talent are critical to our current and long-term success.”
From the front of house to the back of house and from the gaming floor to the executive suite, Seneca Resorts & Casinos has taken an all-in approach to identifying, cultivating and supporting women leaders. Today, women hold 167 management roles across the organization, including four of its seven C-level positions. Overall, approximately 47% of all managers are women—a percentage that matches the number of women across the entire Seneca Resorts & Casinos workforce.
Building for Today and for the Future
Maintaining a leading place in the rapidly evolving gaming and hospitality industry requires not only a strict focus on the three Seneca Resorts & Casinos properties, but also a strategic view of what’s ahead. Kimberlee Dunlop, the company’s chief operating officer, and Joanne Israel, chief strategic officer, help lead these efforts.
They both see the constant evolution of technology, from digital gaming platforms to the growth of AI, as a challenge, but not a replacement unique and personal.
“With all of the technological advances throughout the industry, it is more important than ever to exceed our guests’ expectations.” Dunlop said. “We have set high standards for operational excellence, from the quality of our properties and the service we provide to the overall experience our guests enjoy. I want to ensure we are meeting those standards in every area.” “Everything we do starts with the guest,” Israel added. “When someone walks through our doors, I want them to feel welcomed, valued and eager to return. That human connection is what sets us apart, and it’s my job to make sure we deliver it consistently. When we invest in our employees, they deliver the kind of service that builds lasting loyalty. Technology should support the human side of hospitality, not replace it.”
Seneca Resorts & Casinos is building for its future in the hyper- competitive gaming industry, both physically and organizationally. The company recently completed significant upgrades to its Seneca Café and Thunder Mountain Buffet restaurants at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and started work on two major projects at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino—a $47 million hotel renovation project and an $8.9 million new Seneca Sports Lounge that will include a sportsbook, lounge, restaurant and bar. More projects are on the horizon as well.
As important, they are building for future generations of the Seneca Nation.
“We’re building a business that is strong, sustainable and a source of pride and opportunity for our community long after today’s decisions are made,” Israel said. “Every investment, every hire and every strategy should be weighed against that lens.”
“Each of us—all 3,000 members of Team Seneca—is working to protect the Seneca Nation’s long-term interests,” Dunlop continued. “That is a responsibility that inspires us to always reach farther and push ourselves and our properties to a higher standard.”
Building Team Seneca
Seneca Resorts & Casinos’ strong focus on people goes beyond the millions of guests who visit the company’s properties every year. The approximately 3,000 workers who make up Team Seneca are at the core of that approach.
Chief Human Resources Officer Brenda Dysinger spends each day translating the company’s business strategy into its people strategy, building a comprehensive human resources operating model that integrates technology, and fostering a values-based culture to enhance the team member experience.
Over the past year, Dysinger led the implementation of a new Human Capital Management platform across the entire organization, completing a years-long digital transition that is having a dynamic impact on how the company and its team members operate and interact.
She also helped architect Seneca Resorts & Casinos’ new Centers of Excellence organizational model to improve overall focus on customer service and service delivery, while also identifying operational efficiencies, creating appropriate consistencies across all properties, and aiding in talent identification and development for succession planning.
“Our team culture is so important,” she said. “Even if they work at different properties or in different departments, our team members all share, reflect and embrace the same goals and standards. That’s not only important for making sure our guests enjoy the same experience across all three of our properties, it’s also important for making sure we are truly one company with one culture.”
Building a Brand and Important Connections
Cynthia Liu joined Seneca Resorts & Casinos as chief marketing officer in 2025. Over the past year, she has focused on strengthening and elevating the company’s brand and the way guests identify with Seneca Resorts & Casinos and all that its properties offer.
Liu, Vice President of Loyalty Marketing Mimi Williams and Vice President of Brand Marketing & Entertainment Beth Nephew lead the effort to continually strengthen brand awareness and build long-term relationships with guests, internal stakeholders and external partners. Together, they drive visitation and revenue through entertainment, events and advertising, while building long-term guest value through enhanced loyalty programming and maximizing external partnerships and sponsorships to strengthen brand awareness, engagement and business impact.
“We believe very strongly in continually building trust with our guests and being relatable to them,” Liu said. “In doing that, we want to honor the reasons they choose our properties and continue to deliver on our brand promise before, during and after each visit.”
This year, Seneca Resorts & Casinos signed on as the home jersey patch sponsor for the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres, who play their home games just blocks away from Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, and became a founding partner at Highmark Stadium, the new home of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.
“The Bills, Sabres and Seneca Resorts & Casinos are all a huge part of our community and we share a natural connection to big, exciting moments,” Williams said. “We want our brand to resonate with that so guests and our team members experience that same energy every time they are at our Seneca Niagara, Seneca Allegany and Seneca Buffalo Creek properties.”
In September, the company also completed a significant brand refresh, including a new corporate logo and other brand identity elements. The brand refresh includes a brand promise framework that clarifies and solidifies the company’s commitment to its millions of guests, as well as brand promise training with guest-facing team members so they have the tools and mindset needed to consistently represent the brand.
“The brand refresh creates an anticipation for what guests can expect when they visit each of our properties, and then delivers an experience that meets and exceeds those expectations,” Nephew added. “We want our guests to know, feel and understand the Seneca difference in every aspect of our operation.”
A Vision Rooted in Culture
Marci Fryberg, president and COO of the Tulalip Gaming Organization, guides Tulalip Resort
Casino’s next chapter while honoring its heritage and traditions. For Marci Fryberg, leadership is about much more than running a successful casino resort. It is about honoring the people who came before her, creating opportunities for those who will follow and making decisions that benefit generations to come.
As president and COO of the Tulalip Gaming Organization, Fryberg oversees Tulalip Resort Casino, a premier gaming and hospitality destination located approximately 30 minutes north of Seattle. With a 12- story, 370-room hotel, more than 2,600 gaming machines, multiple restaurants and bars, entertainment venues and a 14,000-square-foot T-Spa, the resort has become a popular getaway for casino guests through- out the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
It is also a property with a strong sense of identity, one that reflects the culture, traditions and heritage of the Tulalip Tribes. That connection is especially meaningful to Fryberg, a Coast Salish woman who brings both a personal and professional perspective to her leadership role.
“Being a woman leader in the gaming industry, particularly as a Coast Salish woman, is deeply personal to me,” she said. “I came into leadership following women whose resilience and determination showed me what was possible. In an industry and culture that has historically been shaped largely by men, I learned that I didn’t need to lead by becoming someone else. I could lead with strength, compassion and authenticity.”
That philosophy has helped shape her approach to leadership, particularly as the resort recently completed a three-year, casino-wide transformation that represents the most significant financial commitment to its gaming facilities since opening in 2003.
The ambitious project expanded the casino by 35%, added more than 400 slot machines and introduced new amenities, dining options and redesigned spaces. The refreshed property blends contemporary casino excitement with design elements inspired by the Salish Sea, coastal shorelines and Pacific Northwest forests.
For Fryberg, the transformation is about giving guests more of what they love while creating an experience that feels distinctly Tulalip.
“There are so many things we’re excited for our guests to see and experience now that the renovation and expansion of Tulalip Resort Casino is complete,” she said. “The spectacular Center Bar, new North Bar and renovated High-Limit Slots Room are all standout features.”
The new 38-foot Center Bar is certainly hard to miss. Visible from nearly every vantage point on the casino floor, the dramatic centerpiece is surrounded by comfortable seating for up to 60 guests. But Fryberg says its purpose goes beyond making a visual statement.
The goal was to create a welcoming gathering place where guests could meet friends, relax and decide what to do next, whether heading back to the slots, catching a show at the Orca Ballroom or Canoes Cabaret, or enjoying dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants.
The expanded gaming floor also gives players more choices, with a mix of new titles and familiar favorites. Tulalip was the first casino in Washington to introduce Konami Class II slots earlier this year, adding another exciting option for players. Featured games include Bank Buster Buffalo, Forbidden Jewels Cash Claw, Fu Fu Dragon Sun and Jumanji Next Level.
Beyond the gaming floor, the renovation brought fresh dining and beverage experiences. Salish Sweets, a new gourmet ice cream shop, offers decadent cones and sundaes, while the North Bar features cocktails, wine and craft beer, along with access to a covered outdoor patio. Guests will also notice updates to the casino-facing spaces of Blackfish Wild Salmon Grill & Bar, Tula Bene Pastaria + Chophouse and Journeys East.
Yet amid all the new additions, one important element remains unchanged: the resort’s commitment to hospitality.
Tulalip Resort Casino has earned the AAA Four-Diamond designation for 18 consecutive years, a distinction Fryberg says reflects the team’s dedication to delivering an exceptional experience. The renovation was designed to enhance that standard, not change what makes the property special.
“Our goal is always focused on delivering an unparalleled guest experience each day and far into the future,” she said.
That attention to the guest experience extends beyond the casino. Fryberg suggests visitors build a getaway around the resort’s entertainment schedule, book a night or two in one of its hotel rooms or suites, enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants and make time for T-Spa. Seattle Premium Outlets, with its 130 designer brand stores, is right next door, while the nearby Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve offers an opportunity to learn more about the history, cultural values and spiritual beliefs of the Tulalip Tribes.
The resort’s cultural connection is also reflected throughout its design. Natural materials, rich colors and architectural details tell a story about the region and the Tulalip people’s relationship with it. Ceiling treatments incorporate patterns inspired by water currents, schools of fish, fishing nets, piers and jellyfish, giving guests a visual connection to the surrounding environment.
It is that balance of honoring the past while embracing the future that also defines Fryberg’s personal approach to leadership.
Leading With Purpose
Throughout her career, Fryberg has seen women take on increasingly influential roles in the gaming industry, helping shape organizations, workplace culture and business strategy. She is especially proud to see more women confident in their abilities and bringing their own leadership styles to the table.
“What I’m most proud of is seeing women recognize that they belong in the room, not because someone gave them a seat, but because they have earned the right to lead,” she said.
Her own journey included challenges, particularly working in a predominantly male environment. She learned that leadership requires trusting her instincts, speaking up and having the courage to stand behind her ideas.
“One of the hardest lessons I learned was that knowing you have something valuable to contribute is not enough, you have to trust yourself enough to speak up and stand behind it,” she said.
It’s advice she shares with young women entering the industry: work hard, learn the business, stay true to yourself and, when you reach a leadership position, make sure to open doors for others. Fryberg credits her family, community and generations of Tulalip women who served before her with inspiring her journey. Their teachings of honesty, respect, compassion and love continue to guide her, while her sons motivate her to lead by example.
Building Something Bigger
While Fryberg is proud of Tulalip Resort Casino’s growth, she sees its success as part of a much larger story. Indian gaming has strengthened tribal sovereignty, expanded opportunities for indigenous communities and helped create a foundation for future generations.
“What I’m most proud of is being a small part of something much bigger than any one organization or individual,” she said. “Indian gaming has changed the way indigenous communities are viewed and, more importantly, has helped change what is possible for our people.”
For Fryberg, the resort’s latest transformation is about more than expanded gaming and new amenities. It’s about building an organization that serves its guests and supports its community.
“Ultimately, what means the most to me personally is knowing that the work we do is about people; our guests, our communities, our families, and the generations who will inherit what we build today.”
Leading With The Next Big Spin
IGT’s Emily Schmitt talks innovation, iconic slot brands and the excitement of creating memorable experiences for casino players
For Emily Schmitt, the casino floor is about much more than rows of slot machines. It’s about the excitement of discovering a new game, the anticipation of a bonus round, the familiar sound of a favorite jackpot tune and, every once in a while, the kind of life-changing win players talk about for years.
As senior vice president of global marketing at IGT, Schmitt has a front-row seat to all of it. She joined the company in September, bringing extensive international marketing experience and a fresh perspective to one of the gaming industry’s most recognizable slot suppliers. Her responsibilities span creative services, licensing, customer and player marketing, social media and communications, putting her at the center of how IGT connects its games and brands with casino operators and the players who bring them to life.
It’s an exciting time to join the company. IGT is undergoing a major transformation, and Schmitt sees tremendous opportunity for marketing to help drive that evolution.
“Above all, I believe in the company’s vision, goals and leadership,” she says. “We’re in the midst of a significant transformation that touches nearly every aspect of our business, from how we show up for customers to how we build the best products for our industry.”
For Schmitt, the challenge is also the opportunity: helping IGT deliver on its business goals while creating the kind of memorable experiences that keep players coming back to their favorite casino games.
And when it comes to memorable experiences, few brands have the track record of Wheel of Fortune Slots.
Thirty Years of Wheel-Worthy Wins
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Wheel of Fortune Slots, a milestone that celebrates one of the most successful and recognizable brands ever to hit casino floors. With more than 1,200 millionaires created and over $3.6 billion awarded in jackpots, the franchise has given players plenty of reasons to get excited when those familiar spinning letters and iconic sounds appear.
But what makes the brand so enduring? According to Schmitt, it’s the immediate connection players feel.
“Whether players know it from the TV show or a trip to a casino, they approach the games with an instant connection and a level of fandom most slot brands spend years trying to build,” she explains.
That familiarity is a tremendous advantage, but keeping a 30-year-old franchise fresh requires plenty of creativity. IGT’s game studios continually introduce new features and mechanics while preserving the elements that players have come to love. Recent innovations include evolving jackpot experiences and incorporating popular features such as Cash on Reels.
The company also benefits from its long-standing partnership with Sony Pictures Television, helping ensure that the casino games remain connected to the television show’s continuing evolution.
Today, there are more than 300 versions of Wheel of Fortune Slots across land-based and online casinos. That’s a pretty impressive run for a franchise that continues to find new ways to give players something to cheer about.
For Schmitt, representing a brand with such an extraordinary jackpot history is especially rewarding.
“Honestly, it is energizing,” she says. “There are few moments that match the energy of a player hitting a million-dollar-plus jackpot and experiencing how that excitement transcends across the casino floor.”
A Little Magic on the Casino Floor
The latest addition to the Wheel of Fortune family is Wheel of Fortune Magic Coins, which made its world premiere in September at Graton Resort & Casino in California. The new game brings together two familiar favorites: the instantly recognizable Wheel of Fortune brand and the magic coin collection mechanic popularized by IGT’s Magic Treasures Gold. The combination gives players a fresh way to experience a beloved franchise, all presented on IGT’s RISE55 cabinet.
The debut was every bit as memorable as the game itself. IGT partnered with the Graton team to create a world premiere event featuring immersive graphics and LED screens that brought the Wheel of Fortune brand to life in the property’s launch portal. A themed giveaway and complimentary play gave guests an opportunity to experience the new game firsthand.
“For me, that’s the focus: a great game deserves a launch that’s just as memorable,” Schmitt says.
It’s an example of how IGT is thinking beyond the individual game, creating an entire experience around a new arrival on the casino floor.
And with so many new titles competing for players’ attention, that’s increasingly important. So what makes a slot machine go from an interesting new game to a player favorite? Schmitt believes it comes down to what happens after someone takes that first seat.
“The cabinet, theme and merchandising earn the first look. What earns the return play is the experience: a game that’s easy to understand within a few spins and offers surprises along the way,” she says.
It might be an unexpected bonus, a theme that strikes a chord or even an audio soundbite that players remember long after they’ve left the machine. Those are the details that turn a casual spin into an entertaining experience.
“Players may not necessarily discuss a game’s math or mechanics when talking about their favorites,” Schmitt notes. “They’re more likely to remember the bonus that almost hit or the feature that caught them by surprise.”
Get Ready to Rock!
If there’s one upcoming IGT title that music-loving slot players should have on their radar, it’s Queen Video Slots.
Introduced at the Global Gaming Expo last month, the game brings the legendary British rock band to the casino floor in a big way. And Schmitt is particularly enthusiastic about this one.
“As a Queen fan myself, I am so excited for players to experience the new Queen Video Slots,” she says.
The game features 10 chart-topping Queen songs, original concert footage and striking imagery of all four original band members. It’s designed to capture the energy and showmanship that made Queen one of the most celebrated rock bands of all time.
The experience is powered by IGT’s new Summit75 cabinet, an advanced gaming platform with enhanced audio capabilities designed to deliver a concert-like atmosphere. When players trigger a bonus, the music and visuals promise to make some noise well beyond the individual machine.
And Queen is just one of several titles in the company’s upcoming lineup. Schmitt also points to Tiger and Dragon Power Sphere on the RISE55 cabinet and Fire Blast on the RISE32 as games to watch for in the months ahead. Meanwhile, Wheel of Fortune Magic Coins continues its rollout across North American casino floors.
A Bigger Picture for IGT
While new slot titles and recognizable brands are an important part of the story, Schmitt’s vision for IGT extends well beyond individual games.
The company supports more than 20 game studios around the world, each developing games for land-based and online casinos. That global reach gives IGT the ability to create experiences tailored to different markets and player preferences.
Schmitt also sees tremendous potential in bringing together the depth of the IGT and Everi portfolios to improve the overall casino experience.
“We’re also elevating the entire player journey, how players experience every touchpoint within their favorite casino,” she explains.“ The depth and breadth of the IGT and Everi portfolios uniquely position us to create more fluid, frictionless experiences for players and operators.”
It’s an area she believes will be especially important in the coming years, as technology continues to change how players interact with casinos, games and the brands they enjoy.
A Fresh Perspective and Advice for the Next Generation
Schmitt’s path to a senior leadership position in gaming wasn’t necessarily a traditional one. Before joining IGT, she led international marketing for Aristocrat Gaming, overseeing growth initiatives in key markets throughout Asia and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Her earlier experience includes both in-house and agency roles in travel and hospitality, biotech and entertainment.
That variety of experience has helped shape the way she approaches the gaming business, particularly when it comes to understanding what motivates consumers, and she believes that’s an important message for young women considering the industry.
“I’d tell anyone considering it that you don’t have to,” she says. “I came into gaming from industries like hospitality and travel, fashion and tech, and what I found is an industry that’s more creative than most people expect.” “Gaming also makes for great dinner conversation,” she adds. “Tell someone you work in the casino industry and suddenly everyone wants to know how you got there, what the games are like and how everything works.” For Schmitt, that curiosity reflects just how much the industry has become part of the broader entertainment landscape.
Her advice to women looking to build careers in gaming, whether in marketing, technology, manufacturing or casino operations, is to question the status quo and bring new ideas to the table.
“Gaming is evolving and we need to evolve with it. Think differently about how to engage players and audiences,” she advises.
Just as important, she encourages aspiring industry professionals to experience gaming firsthand. Spend time on the casino floor or explore online games. Watch how players interact with different titles, what catches their attention and what keeps them engaged.
Understanding the player, she believes, is essential to telling the right story and delivering the right experience.
It’s a philosophy that seems particularly fitting for someone now helping guide the marketing of some of the industry’s most recognizable games. After all, whether it’s a familiar Wheel of Fortune melody, a new twist on a favorite slot mechanic or the opening notes of a Queen classic, the goal is the same: give players a reason to take a seat, enjoy the experience and remember the game long after the final spin.
