2004 GREAT WOMEN OF GAMING
Proven leader
Ursula Conway
Chief Information Officer
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
"It would be fun and dramatic to say my
life has followed a grand plan," says Ursula
Conway. "The reality, however, is that it's been
a journey influenced by a variety of factors."
Conway grew up in the suburbs, with her
early years spent outside Philadelphia and
formative years through early adulthood outside
Detroit ("Today I still think of myself as a
Michigander," she says). She cites important
people in her life as her greatest influences,
beginning with her parents. "They assumed
there would be education after high school for
all their children, whether academic or tradespecific
training," says Conway. "My elder siblings
set an example with their collegiate successes,
both academically and in extra-curricular
sports and activities. Additionally, virtually
all my friends were college- and career-bound.
Of course there were other people challenging
me to excel, from teachers to coaches. They
were all involved in teaching me to push
myself to achieve more."
Professionally, Conway had early exposure
to business and medical professions, as her
family produced accountants and economists;
also, many of her friends' parents were doctors
and nurses. "I was intrigued by the variety of
opportunities available to the businessmen in
my family, and that launched my entry into an
accounting program," says Conway. "However,
as luck would have it, I moved across the
country before completing my degree and
stumbled on an opportunity that set me on my
current path…the world-renowned MIS program
at the University of Arizona."
Regarding her achievements, Conway says
many factors are involved, from skills acquired
through education and training to personality
traits like ambition and drive. "But I never
achieved anything independently of others,"
she says. "I would not be where I am today
without many others…my associates and team
members who got the jobs done…my husband
who tolerated long hours, travel and lots of
stress. My accomplishments are the results of
working with others."
Conway says that several factors have been
imperative to her growth, from practical assets
like communication skills to just plain luck.
"Technical topics are difficult to understand
and the ability to phrase them in a manner that
conveys the business issue, options and results
is a great value to any organization," she says.
"I also believe in maintaining a balance
between personal and business objectives.
That means staying fit, physically and mentally,
so you have the stamina and clarity to make
good decisions. And frankly, luck has played a
role as well. Sometimes I've just been in the
right place at the right time."
In Conway's view, gender is much less
important in business than just doing the job
right. "I really don't believe (being a woman
has) been a significant factor in my career,"
she says. "Certainly, there have been situations
when I was the odd 'girl' out, and I'm sure it
impacted my short term goals. However, over
the long haul, the quality of my work has been
recognized regardless of my gender."
In fact, she expresses surprise at the notion
that women still do not occupy powerful roles
in gaming. "The gaming industry has changed
so much in the last 15 years," Conway says.
"The senior vice president of operations at
Ameristar, responsible for all our casino and
hotel activity, is a woman. And of course we
see female executives in hotel, sales, human
resources and public relations positions
throughout the industry. IT is traditionally a
male-dominated field and there are programs
in many communities to attract high school
girls to technology programs to bridge that
gap. However in Las Vegas, women already
occupy the top IT spots at Mandalay Resort
Group, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts,
and Ameristar. We're setting a standard for
many other industries in this area."
Is this true across the industry? According
to Conway, not yet. "Penetration into the gaming
area itself has been slower, perhaps
because of broader cultural considerations,"
Conway says. "With poker's rapid growth in
this country, we see more women at the tables
then ever before. That could lead some to a
career in gaming, just as it did for many of our
male executives."
This view makes Conway's secret for success
pretty simple. "At the risk of being mundane,
get the job done," she says. "Regardless
of gender, acceptance of women in the workplace,
or any other issues you're confronted
with, work hard to exceed expectations. Act
directly, with honesty and integrity to achieve
the respect of your co-workers. Build relationships
and find people who support you. I still
look for guidance from executives I first met
when I arrived in Las Vegas 15 years ago."
Copyright 2011, Great Women of Gaming. All rights reserved.
