The Future is Now: Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40
Every year, with the release of the “Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40” list, the gaming industry gets to take a peek at the leaders of the future. As the next generation of gaming leaders, the nominees are generally assumed to be on an upward trajectory that will result in CEO, COO, managing director or chairman roles at some point in the years to come. But this year, several of the honorees are already at that level. This is indicative of the increasingly important role being played by younger members of the industry.
In addition, 16 of the 40 members of the class of 2022 are women, once again demonstrating that the industry values the skills, experience and ethics of women. The industry is changing and women are taking the lead.
The Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 program is organized by The Innovation Group and Global Gaming Business magazine. The program recognizes young professionals making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry today and in the future.
The winners were selected from more than 125 candidates nominated either by a colleague who recognized their commitment and dedication to the gaming industry or by themselves, in the interest of inclusivity and with an appreciation for self-starters.
“The past 18 months have given our industry and individuals within it the chance to innovate, to reinvent, and to reprioritize. This year’s nominees reflected that opportunity,” said The Innovation Group President Michael Soll. “The young professionals named to this year’s 40 Under 40 are not only well equipped to lead the industry out of these extraordinary times, but also uniquely informed to direct its future.”
“As always, this year’s class represents the best and the brightest of the industry, and offers a really exciting glimpse into the future of gaming,” said Roger Gros, publisher of GGB. “We’re excited about the quality and diversity of this year’s class, which indicates a changing and improving gaming industry.”
Nominations for the class of 2023 Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 will open in April 2022. The exact date will be announced in the March edition of GGB Magazine.
2022 Class of Emerging Leaders of Gaming, 40 Under 40
Lauren Bates, Vice President, West Games Sales, Konami Gaming, Inc.
Travis Bussey, Vice President, Hardware Engineering, Everi Holdings Inc.
Eunice Chua, Director, Global Gaming Operations, Marina Bay Sands
Justine Clay, Senior Director, CX, GAN
Brett Colbert, Director of Product Management – Global Gaming Operation, Scientific Games
Andrew Diss, Chief Strategy Officer, Meruelo Gaming
David Forman, Senior Director, Research, American Gaming Association
David Garcia, Executive Director Analytics & Optimization, Foxwoods Resort Casino
Jon Hanlin, Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategy & Business Analytics, Aristocrat
Gretchen Holzhauser, Vice President, Human Resources, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
Grainne Hurst, Director Corporate Affairs, Entain plc
Brandt Iden, Head of Government Affairs, U.S., Sportradar
Steven Iverson, Attorney, National Indian Gaming Commission
Krystal Jones, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Lisa Kerbawy, Director of Marketing, FireKeepers Casino Hotel
Michael Lee, Executive Director of Casino Regulatory and Compliance, Venetian Macao
Heather Lee Lommori, Director of Sales, Engaged Nation
Colin Mansfield, Senior Director and Sector Head, U.S. Corporates – Gaming & Leisure, Fitch Ratings
Joseph Marchetti, Director of Systems and Audit, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
Jonathan Michaels, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Government Affairs, Sightline Payments
Russell Mifsud, Director-Head of Gaming, KPMG Malta
Laila Mintas, CEO and Board Member, PlayUp
Dennis Mullen, Director of Sports Wagering and Paid Fantasy Sports, Indiana Gaming Commission
Steph Nel, Managing Director for the Americas, TCSJohnHuxley
Vishal Patel, Engineering Manager-Technical Services Bureau, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
Michael Peacock, Associate, DLA Piper
Scott Riley, Gaming Enforcement Manager, Santa Clara Pueblo Gaming Commission
Sarah Robertson, Vice President, Sales, Kambi
Harley Rockhill, Head of Enterprise Analytics, Resorts World Las Vegas
Anna Shahbazyan, Regional Director-Latin America, BetConstruct
Vik Shrestha, President, Chorus Gaming
Jamie Smith, Director of Sales-Table Games, AGS
David Stone, Director of Sales–Canada, Incredible Technologies
Daniela Sulier, Director of Slots, Arcade and Retail Operations, Harrah’s & Harvey’s Lake Tahoe
Heather Thomas, Senior Safety Manager, San Manuel Casino
Adrian Vella, President, North America, Tipico
Richard Veltri, Chief Operating Officer, Coolbet, GAN
Sierra Weyer, Director of Enterprise Analytics, Sycuan Casino
Kate White, Vice President of Business Intelligence & IT Program Management, Penn National Gaming
Daniel Zweben, Executive Director, Moelis & Company
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