The annual Kick Up Your Heels fundraiser has become a revered event in the gaming industry as it raises funds to support the Global Gaming Women organization as well as its Charitable Education Fund that provides women with educational scholarships to help advance their professional careers.
Along with raising funds, the event also celebrates a select group of women in the industry with the Patricia Becker Pay It Forward Award. The award is given to those who have committed to the development and advancement of women, GGW, and their community.
This year marks the event’s 10th anniversary, and will take place on Wednesday, October 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wynn Resort Las Vegas. Tickets will be available at GlobalGamingWomen.org.
The 2019 Patricia Becker Pay It Forward Awardees are:
Deanne McKissick
Vice President, Aristocrat Technologies
McKissick is a 2017 W Development Class graduate, a Western Regional Education subcommittee member, and has hosted numerous Dine Around dinners for both the leadership and development conferences. In addition to her work with GGW, McKissick started a Leadership Circle for women in Global Supply Chain in 2017, and most recently help found the first Leaders Engaged in Authentic Development (LEAD), an Executive Women’s Leadership Circle within Aristocrat Technologies.
Meaghan Ryan
Vice President, Talent & Team Member Relations, Seminole Hard Rock Support Services
Ryan is a 2015 W Development Class graduate. In 2016 and 2017, she served on the Southern Regional Educational Committee, and then in 2018 Ryan became the co-chair for the Education Committee, where she oversees both the Southern and Eastern Regional Committees. In addition to her work with GGW, Ryan is an inaugural member of the leadership team that launched the Women of Seminole Gaming mentorship program. And she also serves on the board of Junior Achievement of South Florida.
Karla Perez
Vice President, Head of Gaming, Sysco Corporation
Perez attended the first regional Leadership Class in 2015, and since then she has become an enthusiastic advocate for GGW, where she has hosted numerous Dine Around dinners and led the initial “Power Of” conference. In 2018, she hosted the Western Front-Line Managers Program. Perez also participates as a member of the Western Regional Education Committee.
Jennifer Roberts
Associate Director, International Center for Gaming Regulation, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Roberts has acted as general counsel for GGW for two years, attending board meetings, formalizing the minutes and assisting in the legal responsibilities of GGW. In addition, she has been part of the Kick Up Your Heels fundraising committee, and has recently joined the Education Committee.
Randi Kolesar Topham
Executive Director of Marketing, Scientific Games
Topham is a 2015 W Development Class graduate and is currently a member of the GGW Marketing Committee. She recently hosted a Western Leadership Development Dine Around dinner. And in 2018, Topham was honored as one of the “40 under 40,” influential young men and women working to make Las Vegas a better place.
Suzanne Trout
Chief Marketing Officer, Foxwoods Resort Casino
Trout is a co-chair of the Great Women of Gaming Committee, a committee that brings global recognition to meaningful contributions by exceptional women in the gaming industry. As co-chair, she assisted in creating categories and obtaining an independent international selection committee, and in 2018 she helped reinstitute the Great Women of Gaming Award.
Emily Wofford
Owner and Partner, The Publicity Lab
Wofford is a 2015 W Development Class graduate and has participated in numerous GGW committees in her capacity with Aristocrat and Caesars Entertainment, and as she has transitioned to opening her own company. She is currently a member of the GGW Marketing Committee and has supported video production for GGW events and marketing for Kick Up Your Heels, in addition to leading a GGW Lean In Circle.
Each of these women has lent her individual talents to make a difference to support the goals of advancing women in leadership within the gaming industry.
