2006 GREAT WOMEN OF GAMING
Proven leader
Dr. Kate Splide
Managing Director
Center for California Native Nations
"Success in the gaming industry depends upon experience and perseverance. I see myself as a student of the gaming industry, and many of the people who have taught me the most have been around a long time, learning by doing," Spilde said.
As one of the greatest scholars in Indian Gaming today, Dr. Spilde exemplifies professionalism and devotion to Native American Gaming and the gaming industry. Currently, Spilde is the managing director for the Center for California Native Nations. This position is just one of her many important contributions towards educating citizens and lawmakers about the important truths and roles that Indian Gaming provides for native and surrounding communities today.
Previously, Splide served as a senior research associate at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where she served as project director for a report on American Indian Economic Development. She has also published numerous articles on issues related to Indian Gaming.
Anthony Miranda, chair of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, believes Spilde's work has been instrumental in the support of Indian Gaming: "Kate is most notable in her research and her depth of understanding about Indian Gaming and how it relates (and doesn't relate) to other gaming industries. Everywhere she goes, Kate spreads the message about the many opportunities gaming holds for communities and governments. While she is known as an Indian Gaming expert, she is also an industry expert."
Spilde finds inspiration in unexpected places: "I am motivated by what I see as an on-going disconnect between popular perceptions of gambling and the realities of what the gambling industry means for communities. As the methods for articulating gambling's social and economic impacts continue to improve, I am hopeful that policy makers and others will come to embrace evidence-based solutions rather than more intuitive ones. I am inspired by one researcher in particular, who said, 'Policy should be based on good science, not good intentions.'"
Although Spilde is modest about giving advice, she does value one principal above all others, and hopes other future female leaders will as well: "I think the primary thing for anyone in leadership in our industry is integrity. As an industry, there is a lot of suspicion about the gaming products themselves; there are claims that the industry has a history of ties to organized crime, or has negative impacts, or tempts people unfairly. As a researcher I am vigilant about transparency in research data and methodology in order to maintain the integrity of the research."
If you have been lucky enough to meet or work with Spilde, you know that she means what she says. The epitome of what a mentor should be, Spilde acknowledged: "I am a big believer in mentoring relationships. I have had a number of people mentor me along the way and I have tried to reach out to others who have an interest in gaming, whether within the industry or as someone who studies it."
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