GGB is committed to providing updated news and analysis on our weekly news site, GGBNews.com.

Learn From Youth

The 2024 Emerging Leaders Of Gaming 40 Under 40 recognizes the future of the gaming industry

Learn From Youth

When experts speak of young leaders, the gaming industry has many examples, but none are so prominent as the 2024 class of Emerging Leaders Of Gaming 40 Under 40. The program, administered by The Innovation Group and Global Gaming Business magazine (GGB) recognizes professionals under the age of 40 who are already making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry.

The honorees are selected from a diverse cross-section of professionals nominated to be recognized for their achievements within and dedication to the industry in all its forms. From operations and compliance professionals to supplier-side innovators, responsible gaming experts, and professionals driving new gaming segments, the latest class of honorees reflects an industry in evolution.

This recognition for the past decade has helped to supercharge the careers of those named and this year is no different, as many of the honorees have already achieved notable positions in the industry.

“It’s an honor to help identify and showcase the remarkable individuals driving our industry into the future,” said President Michael Soll of The Innovation Group,

“With a record number of nominations in 2023, this group has risen quickly in their careers,” said Roger Gros, publisher of GGB. “Their accomplishments at such a young age reflect the dedication of these professionals to their craft.”

The organizers of the ELG 40 Under 40 would like to thank the advisory board for their assistance in selecting the honorees: Melissa Aarskaug, Global Vice President, Bulletproof; Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, International Gaming Institute at UNLV; Justin Carter, Senior Vice President, Regional Operations/Chair of Diversity, Penn Entertainment; Tommaso Di Chio, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Strive Gaming; Jordan Hollander, Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement; Gretchen Holzhauser, Vice President of Human Resources, Mount Airy Casino Resort; Brandt Iden, VP, Government Affairs, Fanatics Betting & Gaming; Mick Ingersol, Vice President Sales Operations, Everi Holdings Inc.; Martin Lycka, SVP American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, Entain; Tamara Malvin, Attorney & Partner, Akerman LLP; Russell Mifsud Director & Gaming Lead, KPMG; Meghan Sleik, Chief of Staff, Global Gaming, Aristocrat; Diana Szorc Osborne, Director of Marketing, Rush Street Gaming; and Rishi Tirupari, Group Executive General Manager, Environment, Social and Governance, Crown Resorts.

The group was celebrated during the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Networking Reception, at the Global Gaming Expo, on Wednesday, October 11.

In this issue, we profile 10 of the 40-under-40 honorees. Each subsequent month, you’ll be able to read about the other honorees until all 40 have been profiled.

2024 Class of Emerging Leaders Of Gaming 40 Under 40


Nimota Adebowale, Director of Casino Operations, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Bahar Alaeddini, Partner, Harris Hagan

Juliann Barreto, Chief Operating Officer, 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, Vice President 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

    Recent Feature Articles

  • Across All Channels

    IGT’s omnichannel game library could be the supplier model of the future

  • Trends Are Trending

    GGB’s annual 10 Trends identifies what to expect in 2024

  • On the Rebound

    The Asian gaming market’s comeback and future growth

  • Compulsive Gambling 911

    These agencies are on the front lines of problem gambling research, intervention and treatment. Many rely on the casino industry for funding. Could federal help be on the way?

  • Better, Faster, Stronger

    Kiosks have evolved into full-service centers for a variety of gaming services.