Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2027 Announced

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

Innovation Groupn x iGB x GGB announce the 40 under 40

The Innovation Group (TIG), in partnership with WorldGaming’s Global Gaming Business (GGB) and iGaming Business (iGB), today announced the honorees of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming (ELG) 40 Under 40 Class of 2027. Originally founded by TIG, the ELG 40 Under 40 recognizes professionals under the age of 40 already making significant impacts in the gaming industry.

Honorees were selected from a diverse, global cross-section of gaming professionals nominated through an open call to be recognized for their achievements and dedication to the industry.

This year’s group includes operators, marketers, legal and regulatory professionals, manufacturers and suppliers, tribal gaming leaders, and specialists across iGaming, sports betting, fintech, and academia — reflecting the breadth and evolving priorities of today’s gaming industry. 

Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2027:

  • Kaitlin Brown, Senior Director of Programs and Services, Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling
  • Alexandra Clark, Director of Corporate Finance and Treasury, ECL Entertainment
  • Desiree Dickerson, CEO & Co-Founder, THNDR
  • Andrew Effiong, Vice President of Hospitality, Rivers Casino Portsmouth
  • Josh Ellis, Senior Director, Content Capability – US & Canada, Aristocrat Interactive
  • Aaron Feinberg, Vice President & Assistant General Manager, The Nash Casino
  • Danielle Finn, Director of the Indian Nations Gaming & Governance Program and Associate Professor-in-Residence, William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV
  • Charles Flood, Director, Product Management, DraftKings
  • Jackson Floyd, Vice President of Slots, AGS
  • Adam Glass, Senior Director of B2B Services, Rush Street Interactive
  • Jeana Harper Day, Senior Director of Human Resources, Kentucky Downs
  • April Herring, Director of Slot Systems, Choctaw Nation Casinos & Resorts
  • Zach Kastelic, Vice President of Legal, GLI
  • Michael Klimek, Director of Brand Strategy, Mesquite Entertainment
  • Jeremy Kolman, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, BetMGM
  • CJ Landau, Vice President of Slot Operations, Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood
  • Lauren Lemmer, Senior Director, Enterprise Compliance, Fanatics Betting & Gaming
  • Marina Lima, Chief Social Media Officer, Clever Advertising
  • Bethan Lloyd, Partner, Wiggin LLP
  • Juan Mariscal, Vice President of Game Design, IGT
  • Connor Martin, Attorney, New Jersey Racing Commission
  • Brandon Mastromartino, Director & Associate Professor, Institute on Sports Wagering & Gaming, San Diego State University
  • Hillary McAfee, Owner & Host, MaxBet Podcast
  • Brendan Moore, Vice President, Game Performance & Analytics, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming
  • Jasmine Moreland, Director of External Affairs and Responsible Gaming, Michigan Gaming Control Board
  • Cíara Nic Liam, Managing Director, Gaming, Entain
  • Vasiliki Panousi, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Kaizen Gaming
  • Luka Pataky, Executive Vice President, AI & Innovation, Bragg Gaming Group
  • Fiona Power, Founder, Power Room Éire, and CCO, The Unit
  • Kyle Ridgeway, President, Wyoming Downs/307 Horse Racing
  • Nicole Russo, Operations Director, UNLV International Center for Gaming Regulation
  • Lex Scott, Vice President Gaming, ITV Studios
  • Lawrence Shizhe Shen, Managing Director, Advantage Partners Consulting
  • Todd Stender, Vice President, Product & Operations – Digital Gaming, Mohegan
  • Kate Talamo-Hagan, Founder & CEO, Think Traffic
  • Melissa Thevenot, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
  • Kaleigh Thompson, Vice President of Business Development, Pavilion Payments
  • Shane Thompson, Director of Sales, Corporate Accounts, Konami Gaming
  • Alec Thomson, CEO, Arizona Lottery
  • Daniel Vyravipillai, Global Head of Gaming, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley

With hundreds of nominations received from across the industry, the ELG 40 Under 40 selection process was as competitive as ever.

““The lasting value of this program is evident in the continued contributions of the people it has recognized. ELG alumni occupy C-suite roles at leading operators and suppliers, shape policy at regulatory agencies, and are among the most influential voices in gaming today. This year’s honorees join a remarkable community, and we look forward to seeing how they shape the industry in the years ahead.”

TIG President & CEO Brian Wyman

Nominations Were Reviewed and Honorees Selected By The ELG 40 Under 40 Selection Committee:

  • Melissa Aarskaug, Independent Gaming Consultant
  • Pam Buckley, Executive Vice President, Global Gaming Women
  • Tracy Cohen, Director of Europe, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM)
  • Alex Dixon, Senior Advisor, GMA Consulting
  • Jason Giles, Executive Director, Indian Gaming Association (IGA)

“Looking down the list for the class of 2027, the breadth of leadership and talent is really striking. As gaming evolves rapidly across technology, regulation, customer experience, and market expansion, these honorees are helping define the industry’s trajectory. We’re proud to recognize them at this stage of their careers and to celebrate the contribution they are already making across the sector.”

Robin Harrison, global content director for WorldGaming, parent company of iGB and GGB.

Join us to celebrate the Class of 2027 during the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Networking Reception, in partnership with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), on Wednesday, September 30, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the G2E Networking Lounge in Hall D at Venetian Expo.

The Innovation Group is a globally respected research and advisory firm serving the gaming, entertainment, hospitality, and leisure industries. With more than $100B in investment decisions driven across six continents and forecasts tracking within 5% of actual revenues, TIG has been trusted across the most competitive sectors and complex jurisdictions for decades. TIG’s commitment to cross-disciplinary expertise and performance optimization consistently leads clients through dynamic projects with clarity and confidence. TIG founded Emerging Leaders of Gaming in 2012 to give young professionals in the already competitive industries it served opportunities for recognition and professional development.