Demand Diversity and Excellence
In a year where gaming companies, programs and institutions have come under fire for not recognizing the contributions of women and minorities, the Editorial Advisory Board of GGB Magazine has chosen a remarkable group of individuals to honor as the 25 People to Watch for 2022 with a diversity that demonstrates the potential and realities in today’s gaming industry. It’s our 20th anniversary edition of this honor—20 years of the people who have dedicated their lives to our great industry. Visit our website, ggbmagazine.com, with a link to this story to see the complete list of the 500 individuals who have truly made a difference to our industry.
To be sure, this isn’t diversity for diversity’s sake. The individuals identified by the board have truly accomplished much in their careers, and all have great futures ahead of them. Take the blinders off and recognize what women and minorities are doing for your business. This doesn’t mean you don’t recognize all your employees and executives; it just means that there’s a wider spectrum of amazing people in your business. We have no quotas. We have no definition of diversity. We only have an understanding that every member of our 2022 People to Watch is dedicated to excellence.
The GGB Editorial Advisory Board was insistent upon recognizing that every person on this list is there for a reason: their accomplishments and their vision for the future. It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, red, yellow, green, man or woman. You have demonstrated a leadership potential that inspires the entire industry.
The year 2022 will be full of challenges and opportunities. From the recovery from the pandemic to the spread of iGaming and sports betting, to the evolving situation in Asian gaming and many more issues that face the industry this year, the individuals recognized in this feature will play a role in clearly defining the future of the industry. Congratulations to all!
- Jason Ader • Managing Partner, SpringOwl Asset Management LLC
- Johnny Aitken • Chief Executive Officer U.S., PointsBet
- Julie Brinkerhoff • President, Lifescapes International
- Mary Cheeks • President & General Manager, Jamul Casino
- Rob Cinelli • General Manager, Sycuan Casino Resort
- Alex Dixon • Chief Executive Officer, Q Casino
- Brianne Doura-Schawohl • Vice President of U.S. Policy & Strategic Development, EPIC Risk Management
- Susan Hensel • Partner, Hensel Grad
- Jenny Holaday • President, Encore Boston
- Jan Jones Blackhurst • Board Member, Caesars Entertainment
- Marie Jiacopello Jones • Partner, Fox Rothschild
- Brenda Lavell • Chairwoman, Table Mountain Rancheria
- Laura Lee • Chief Human Resources Officer, MGM Resorts
- Kate Lowenhar-Fisher • Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer – General Counsel, Everi Holdings Inc.
- Cheryl Moss • Retired Judge State of Nevada District Court and Gambling Treatment Diversion Court
- Jette Nygaard-Andersen • Chief Executive Officer, Entain
- Arthur Paikowsky • President, ICRG
- Ray Pineault • Chief Executive Officer, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment
- Keith Sheldon • President of Entertainment, Hard Rock International
- Marek Suchar • Esports Betting Services; MD Partnerships, Oddin.gg
- Dan Real • Regional President, Caesars Entertainment
- Brian Reynolds • Senior Vice President of Operations, Resorts World New York
- Gil Rotem • iGaming President, IGT
- Dermot Smurfit • Chief Executive Officer, GAN
- Jennifer Togliatti • Chairwoman, Nevada Gaming Commission
