The five "Judges Choice" winners of the 2021 Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 announced

At a webinar for the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Virtual Experience last week, the five “Judges Choice” winners of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 were announced.

The Innovation Group, organizers of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming program, and Global Gaming Business Magazine (GGB) announced in September the winners of the class of 2021 Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, a program that recognizes young professionals making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry. 

The five “Judges Choice” winners are:

• Melissa Aarskaug, Vice President of Business Development, Bulletproof;
• André Barnabei, Vice President of Gaming, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh;
• Jennifer Fales, Vice President, Global Brand Licensing, IGT; 
• Connie James, Chief Financial Officer, Gaming, Scientific Games Corporation;
• Martin Lycka, Director of Regulatory Affairs/Trustee, GVC Foundation U.S., GVC Holdings PLC.

The judges for the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 are Mark Birtha, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain; Christie Eickelman, vice president of global marketing for Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), and chairwoman of Global Gaming Women; Mick Ingersoll, director of gaming strategies at Everi Holdings, Inc.; and Virginia McDowell, former president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos, and former chairwoman of Global Gaming Women.

The winners were part of 150-plus industry members who were nominated by colleagues who recognized their commitment and dedication to the gaming industry.

“During such a difficult time, it’s heartening to see so many excellent candidates nominated for the Emerging Leaders Program,” said The Innovation Group President Michael Soll. “These young professionals are poised to lead the industry now and into the future to maintain excellence in serving our customers and their extended families. The Innovation Group is proud to be able to showcase these remarkable individuals.”

“The quality of this year’s Emerging Leaders class is a cut above the rest,” Roger Gros, publisher of GGB, commented. “They represent the best and the brightest of the gaming industry, and anyone who has any doubts about the recovery of gaming after the pandemic need only understand the dedication of these professionals to their craft.”

The selection process has become increasingly competitive with nominations growing by 50 percent over last year, according to Gros. “It’s incredible. The talent. The diversity. We’re able to highlight a truly impressive group of young people shaping gaming’s future,” he said.

“We’d like to thank our judges, who were very helpful in assisting us in choosing this amazing group of individuals,” said Gros. “It shows that dedication true leaders in the gaming industry have for the people who will be running the gaming industry for years to come.”

Full Class of Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 2020-2021

• Melissa Aarskaug, Vice President of Business Development, Bulletproof *
• Marshall Adair, Vice President and Executive Producer –Digital / Online, Everi Holdings Inc.
• Eduardo Alvarez, Director of Sales –LatAm, AGS
• Allen Ambrogio, U.S. Director of Operations, Tipico
• Robert Baldassarre, Associate, Fox Rothschild LLP
• André Barnabei, Vice President of Gaming, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh *
• JaNessa Bumgarner, Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
• Charlotte Cain, HR Manager, Continent 8 Technologies
• Jeffrey Caldwell, Director of Hotel Operations, Encore Boston Harbor
• Cherchi Chen, Managing Director, Finance and Operations, NagaWorld
• Suzanne Duchene, Slot Operations Service Manager, Seneca Niagra Falls Gaming
• Rick Eckert, Managing Director, Slot Performance & Analysis, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC
• Brad Egnor, Senior Vice President of Marketing, San Manuel Casino
• Ashley Eurich, Vice President, Lockdogs
• Jennifer Fales, Vice President, Global Brand Licensing, IGT *
• Don-Lee Hardy, Safety Specialist, Sycuan Casino Resort
• Molly Hart, Licensing and Compliance Manager, Gaming Capital Group, LLC
• Bryan Hayes, Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations, Foxwoods Resort Casino
• Matthew Heyerdahl, Chief Accounting Officer and Director of Finance, Gaming Arts
• Connie James, Chief Financial Officer, Gaming, Scientific Games Corporation *
• Paul Juliano, Vice President of Operations, Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
• Mohit Kansal, Partner, Clairvest Group
• JoyceLynn Lagula, Design Director, Wilson Associates
• Zachary Levine, Corporate Vice President of Table Games Strategy, MGM Resorts International
• Martin Lycka, Director of Regulatory Affairs/Trustee, GVC Foundation U.S., GVC Holdings PLC
• James Manuel, Director of Fine Dining, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
• Olena Nall, Director, Business Development, Wind Creek Hospitality
• Malou Neguembor, Head of CRM, Megalotto
• Mike Nguyen, Director of Engineering, JCM Global
• Mary Parker, Management and Program Analyst, National Indian Gaming Commission
• Marvin Phillips, Director of Information Technology, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort
• David Rittvo, Vice President, Development, Caesars Entertainment Corp.
• Sam Rook, Director of Marketing, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
• Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, Niagara Casinos (Mohegan Gaming Entertainment)
• Araksi Sargsyan, Head of Business Development, DS Virtual Gaming
• Meghan Sleik, Director of Marketing, Aristocrat
• Steven Slotwinski, Chief Technology Officer, Eclipse Gaming Systems
• Anthony Strangia, Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
• Hui Min Tiffany Bernadette Tay, Associate Director, Strategic Planning, Marina Bay Sands Pte. Ltd.
• Peter Wolff, Director of Global Technical Compliance, Gaming Laboratories International

* One of the five “Judges Choice” selections

See feedback and comments from organizers on 10 of the 40 leaders at GGB website.