The Innovation Group, organizers of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming (ELG) program, and Global Gaming Business magazine (GGB) have announced the honorees of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, a program that recognizes professionals under the age of 40 making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry.
A Selection Committee comprised of gaming leaders chose the diverse cross-section of professionals, who were nominated for their achievements within the gaming industry. The committee features:
- Melissa Aarskaug, Vice President of Business Development, Bulletproof
- Justin Carter, Senior Vice President, Regional Operations / Chair of Diversity, PENN Entertainment, Inc.
- Alex Dixon, President & CEO, Q Casino and DRA
- Daron Dorsey, Executive Director, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM)
- Sheila Morago, COO and Partner, Trilogy Group
“The latest class of honorees well reflects the modern gaming industry, with a record number of individuals already holding impressive, senior-level positions and a noticeable increase in professionals leading the critically important areas of compliance and government affairs,” said Michael Soll, president of The Innovation Group.
“The quality of this year’s Emerging Leaders class is really extraordinary,” said Roger Gros, publisher of GGB. “Their accomplishments at such a young age are an inspiration to all who strive for excellence in our industry.”
Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, Class of 2025
- Timothy Aguilar, Vice President Business Development, Caesars Digital
- Jonathan Aiwazian, CEO, idPair
- Kyle Anderson, VP of Property Marketing, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel
- Gabrielle Angle, Business Development Director – North America Gaming & Licensing, GeoComply
- Andrew Baca, Executive Director, Global Head of Product, Gaming, J.P. Morgan
- Mark Barrath, Director, Retention & Monetization, Golden Hearts Games
- Boris Borisov-Lukov, Vice President of Finance, Caesars Entertainment
- Cassie Brickman, CEO, Betting Hero
- Stephanie Bruckner, Executive Director, Global Portfolio Strategy – Gaming, Light & Wonder
- Joe Casole, Vice President, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, IC360
- Jody Collins, Vice President, Global Development, MGM Resorts International
- Darryl DeRaedt, Vice President of Operations, Everi
- Jocelyn Fietkiewicz, Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Ben Freedland, General Counsel, Minnesota State Lottery
- Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research, International Gaming Institute, UNLV
- Jeremy Hirst, Director of Casino Optimization & Analytics, Tangam Systems
- Akshay K. Khanna, Co-founder and CEO, Jackpot.com
- Clint Koehn, Vice President of Gaming Operations, Gaming Capital Group
- Alesha Konskey, Gaming Operations Specialist
- Anthony Kosturos, Chief Financial Officer, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
- Jordan M. Maynard, Interim Chair, Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- Ashley McColloch, Director Account Management – North America, Inspired Gaming Group
- Geneva Mojado, Vice Chair, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
- Jeff Morales, Vice President of IT Operations, Cordish Gaming Group
- Sarah Murray, Food and Beverage Shared Service Manager, River Spirit Casino Resort
- Megan Nation, VP of Professional Services & Sales, Wondr Nation
- Paul Parry, Senior Engineering Manager, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
- Karolina Pelc, Founder BeyondPlay, VP BeyondPlay, FanDuel
- Declan Raines, Senior Director – US Gaming, TransUnion
- Presley M.C. Redeye, Councilor, Seneca Nation Council
- James Seils, Co-Founder and CTO, BettorEdge
- Lisa Singer, VP Brand & Strategy, High 5 Games
- Ashley Skeen Unga, Senior Director of Customer Success, Gaming Analytics
- Jonathan Smith, Senior Director Sales Operations and Strategy, IGT
- Jo’Elle Thompson, Compliance Officer, National Indian Gaming Commission
- Rickard Vikström, CEO & Founder, Internet Vikings
- Julia Weygandt, Chief Operations Officer, G Gaming Ltd
- Kassi Yellowitz-Melton, Vice President of Sales, Gift & Go
- Tres, York, Senior Director, Government Relations, American Gaming Association
- Alexx Zawada, Chief Marketing Officer, Potawatomi Casino Hotel
The Class of 2024 will be celebrated during the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Networking Reception, in partnership with Global Gaming Expo, on Wednesday, October 9, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM in the G2E Networking Lounge (Booth #5649).