40 UNDER 40: Clothes Make the Man (or Woman)

Nicole Fields is currently a marketing manager at Cintas Corporation, a leader in providing the gaming industry with uniforms and apparel. She has been with Cintas for the last two years managing global and national accounts, executing marketing projects and initiating advertising campaigns targeted to the decision-makers in gaming and hospitality.

Fields began her career in the gaming industry right out of college. She took a leap of faith and accepted a role as an innovative marketer at Caesars Entertainment, one of the largest gaming operators in the world.

Among her proudest achievements at Caesars was helping with the rollout of the newly re-launched customer loyalty program Total Rewards, and the grand opening of the Horseshoe Cincinnati, one the largest casinos in Caesars Entertainment’s portfolio.

Fields’ experience in the gaming industry began with an operator, and she left Caesars to join Cintas on the vendor side of the industry to expand her knowledge. This move exposed her to all aspects of the gaming industry, and Fields enjoys working with a broad network of industry partners.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Chicago with a bachelor of fine arts degree, Fields knew this was the only industry in which she wanted to build her career. In addition to her job at Cintas, she is a co-chair of WAVE (Women Adding Value Everywhere), a committee member of Global Gaming Women, and winner of multiple industry honors. Asked to share her advice with emerging leaders, Fields doesn’t hesitate: “Get involved with associations, and networking is the key to success.”

Fields attributes her success to the very supportive network of peers and leaders in her company. On top of that list is her mentor Karla Perez-

Larragoite, national director of gaming at Cintas.

“Karla has taught me good leadership takes practice.” Fields puts that advice to practice every day. One of her strongest leadership attributes is her ability to network and build long-term relationships. This skill has proven an invaluable asset to her employers, as she knows how to create new business opportunities.

“Nikki is someone to watch for sure,” says Perez-Larragoite. “What she has done for our division is amazing. She is creative, driven, and inspires me every day.”

While Fields is still starting out in her career, she looks forward to growing in the industry and using her marketing expertise to create lasting brands, bring a new generation of consumers to gaming and make an invaluable contribution to her company.