2024 EMERGING LEADERS OF GAMING 40 UNDER 40 ANNOUNCED

The Innovation Group and Global Gaming Business recognize the next generation of gaming industry leaders.

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.

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, Senior Director 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, on Wednesday, October 11, from 4 to 5 PM 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.

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 Casino Connection International, 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.