What does it take to be among the Great Women of Gaming?
This year’s 10 Great Women of Gaming award winners were broken down into two categories: Proven Leaders and Rising Stars. To qualify as a Proven Leader, candidates must have worked in the gaming industry for a minimum of 10 years and have been in their current position for at least one year. They must also work for a gaming industry company and hold a position of director of higher, having demonstrated exceptional achievement in at least three of the following areas: 1) ability to go above and beyond job responsibilities; 2) commitment to company and co-workers; 3) contributions to the industry as a whole; 4) commitment to mentoring; and 5) strong overall life balance. To qualify as a Rising Star, candidates must have worked in the gaming industry for a minimum of three years and have been in their current position for at least one year. They must also work for a gaming industry company and hold a position of manager or higher, having demonstrated exceptional achievement in at least three of the following areas: 1) ability to go above and beyond job responsibilities; 2) commitment to company and co-workers; 3) contributions to the industry as a whole; 4) commitment to mentoring; and 5) strong overall life balance.
This year’s judging committee comprised of former Great Women of Gaming award winners and other industry leaders. They included: Brenda Boudreaux, vice president of product management, International Game Technology; Dona Cassese, creative director of global marketing communications and operations, Aristocrat Americas; Tracey Chernay, senior vice president of sales & marketing, Transact Technologies; Christie Eickelman, senior director of worldwide marketing, Gaming Laboratories International; Christie Modlin, tribal chair, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma; Shelia Morago, executive director, Arizona Indian Gaming Commission; Courtney Muller, group vice president, Reed Exhibitions; Debra J. Nelson, vice president of corporate diversity & community affairs, MGM MIRAGE; Mary Lynn Palenik, director of development, research & analysis, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; and Lynn “Nay” Valbeauna, vice chair, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
“This year’s candidates were an accomplished group of women from all facets of the gaming industry,” said Peter Mead, publisher of Casino Enterprise Management Magazine. “Our judges had a difficult decision choosing the winners, and I believe they did an excellent job selecting the top ten. But, in the end, each woman nominated is a Great Women of Gaming to our industry. It’s been a pleasure of ours to continue to honor these women as they continue to strive for personal and professional excellence.”
An in-depth article featuring profiles of this year’s 10 award winners will be featured in the May issue of Casino Enterprise Management Magazine; to read the article click here. The winners will also receive the prestigious crystal Great Women of Gaming Award and will be honored at a dedicated ceremony at a future date.
Thank you to all who nominated a Great Woman of Gaming this year. We appreciate the support you have given to your Great Women of Gaming and hope to someday honor her formally through our awards.
Copyright 2009, Great Women of Gaming. All rights reserved.
