Casino Enterprise Management

It isn’t hard to be good at something. To be great, though, is worthy of taking notice. For this year’s Great Women of Gaming awards, we honor 10 women who are just that—great. Not just great at their job, but great at everything they do. These women have excelled at leading others, having drive and initiative to accomplish the best, the professionalism and perseverance to push forward, and a commitment to mentoring, all while maintaining an overall life balance. No easy feat.

Nominees were categorized into one of two areas—Rising Stars and Proven Leaders—and five were chosen in each. 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. 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. Additionally, candidates in each category needed to demonstrate exceptional achievement in at least three of the following areas: ability to go above and beyond job responsibilities; commitment to company and co-workers; contributions to the industry as a whole; commitment to mentoring; and strong overall life balance.

The difficult task of choosing the 10 women to receive the honor out of the many accomplished nominees was given to the judging committee, which comprised of former Great Women of Gaming award winners and other talented industry professionals. The committee faced a difficult challenge to choose just 10 women among such an accomplished group—all have made significant impacts on others and the gaming industry in general. To learn more about this year’s Great Women of Gaming judging committee, visit www.greatwomenofgaming.com. 

And so, CEM is proud to announce the 2008 Great Women of Gaming award winners. The five women who received the Proven Leader Award are: Cath Burns, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Bally Technologies; Libby Francisco, Chief Operations Officer, Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise; Jana McKeag, President and Co-Owner, Lowry Strategies; Cynthia Kiser Murphey, President and COO, New York – New York Hotel & Casino; and Linda Roe, Vice President of Business Development and Client Relations, Thalden-Boyd-Emery Architects.

The 2008 Great Women of Gaming Rising Star award winners are: Michelle Chatigny, Vice President of Compliance, International Game Technology; Catina L. Moore, Senior Manager of Operations, WMS Gaming; Valerie Morris, Regional Vice President of Sales, Communications and Community Relations, Harrah’s Entertainment; Treena Parvello, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise; and Jennifer Roberts, Associate Attorney, Lionel Sawyer & Collins Las Vegas.

There aren’t enough words to describe how accomplished each of these 2008 Great Women of Gaming award winners are, but we hope that by sharing their stories and accomplishments other upcoming leaders in our industry will find inspiration and advice on how they, too, can be Great Women of Gaming. Read on to discover just who these women are and what incredible things they have achieved for the industry.

Libby Francisco, Chief Operating Officer, Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise

Elizabeth “Libby” Francisco knows the meaning of working hard and does it well. It began during her childhood, where she was one of seven children. She grew up in a one-bedroom house and began working at age 13. “My mother, Effie, and my father, Edmund, were amazing people with strong work ethics,” Francisco commented. “Neither had the privilege of education. Both worked manual labor their entire lives, yet both possessed the drive to do the best work possible.”

She said she promised her father she’d get her college degree and completed nearly two years at Stanford University on scholarships. After her experience there, which she described as a culture shock, she returned to Tucson and worked at the University of Arizona for 13 years, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in 1993. She was then recruited by then-Casino Manager Ned Norris to work at the Desert Diamond Casino and started as shift manager.

Francisco admits she first struggled with the nature of her new work. “I had to get over my own stigma of gaming, especially after leaving university employment to work for the Enterprise,” she explained. “Honestly, I voted against the gaming initiative when it was first presented by our nation. Now, I am proud of the work I do and the contributions I have made to the Enterprise.”

She would advise younger women looking to get in the industry to “not be afraid like I was initially. Women can do anything and everything.”

She has now been with the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise for 14 years, with the past three serving as COO. Delia Carlyle, former chairwoman of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association, said Francisco is the personal “face” of gaming for her nation and state. “Extremely professional but always gracious, she sits comfortably at the table with the ‘boys.’ She makes it look easy—which it isn’t—for a woman to rise to the highest positions in what has traditionally been a man’s game.”

Francisco said one of her challenges was when she was promoted to poker room manager. “I was not welcomed by the players, management staff, or employees, each for different reasons,” she said. “I asked that they give me a chance to prove myself, and after three months I can say that I had successfully transitioned into an environment that was primarily male dominated.”

In addition to her rise up the professional ranks, Francisco has also been committed to mentoring. She supports and oversees three programs within the Enterprise that focus on mentoring and developing tribal employees. The Foundations program provides mentorship to management-level employees; an internship program reaches out to tribal members with degrees to bring them to the Enterprise; and the Pathways program provides mentorship to those in supervisory positions. She also personally credits Norris with her own professional mentorship.

Not stopping there, Francisco sits on the board of trustees for Tohono O’odham Community College, is on the American Indian Advisory Board to the President of UA and is a member of Tucson Leading Business Women.

“I absolutely love the opportunities and challenges that come from working for a dynamic and non-stop industry such as ours,” Francisco said about what she enjoys most about gaming. “In addition to ensuring that we operate a business of integrity, I also have opportunities to travel and meet many successful people in gaming.”

Much can be learned from this Proven Leader in gaming who has demonstrated in her own life that with dedication comes success. “I love to learn and to be challenged,” she said. “These traits push me to want to do better, and of course I do have the good work ethic that my parents passed on to me.”

Cynthia Kiser Murphey, President and COO, New York-New York Hotel & Casino

Cynthia Kiser Murphey could certainly be described as active: active in her work, community and personal life.

Twenty years ago, she was a guiding force in the opening of The Mirage, known as the original Vegas “mega-resort.” She describes opening The Mirage as very, very exciting and a huge change for the industry as the turning point for creating full-service casino entertainment resorts.

She later opened MGM Grand Las Vegas in 1993. “After The Mirage, I was given the opportunity to open the MGM as the vice president of human resources,” she said. “My career has been highlighted by opening mega-resorts and developing the people-strategy planning and the systems for opening.”

One of the biggest challenges she faced was creating a personalized experience inside the large resort. “We didn’t want customers to think of our buildings as big,” she recalled. “We want them to think about fun and personalized service, and our employees focused on their needs. We worked to create an inviting atmosphere.”

Acknowledging her hard work and dedication, she was named “Executive of the Year” by Human Resources Executive magazine during her tenure as senior vice president of human resources for MGM MIRAGE, the parent company of both MGM Grand and The Mirage.

But it is her alma mater—the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)—where Kiser Murphey gives credit to her start in the industry. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UNLV, where she also taught part-time and was ultimately honored as Alumna of the Year in 2008.

“Initially, I moved to Las Vegas from Kansas to study the hotel restaurant industry, and because gaming is so dynamic and evolving and developing in great ways, this industry has provided unique and exciting career opportunities,” she said.

Perhaps one of Kiser Murphey’s greatest feats was establishing a Healthy Living program for the employees of MGM MIRAGE. The program focuses on trends around cancer, heart disease, diabetes and looks at preventative measures, early detection and education. “I’m extremely passionate about helping people to improve their health,” she stated. “There’s a lot of opportunity to improve the national, state and community health care system by getting people engaged in understanding the health system as well as how to prevent disease. I’ve been working on [helping educate and engage people] most of my career, and I’m very inspired to keep doing that.”

She also worked to establish an in-house corporate training university and on-site child development center as part of her culture-building efforts. She says creating personalized services for guests is best accomplished by providing a personalized workplace for employees.

But her efforts to benefit others don’t end there. She currently serves as chairperson for the State of Nevada Academy of Health and as co-chair of Health Services Coalition of Southern Nevada. She is also a trustee for the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Health and Welfare Fund.

All of these experiences led to her current role as president and COO of New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

These days she keeps motivated and inspired by her work at New York-New York, her team, and the dynamic industry, which she refers to as a tremendous amount of fun. “It’s extremely motivating because every day is so distinctly different than any other day you have in this industry,” she commented. “We have just completed a fabulous remodel of New York-New York, and we are actively rebranding and inviting guests—including locals—to come and see our fresh new casino and entertainment venues.”

Kiser Murphey said her proudest accomplishment is her family. She is married and is the mother of two boys who keep her active in her life outside of work. They recently took a ski trip and enjoy hiking together.

It is Kiser Murphey’s grandfather who she believes help develop her foundation. “From a young age, he made it very important to have good grades and to work hard,” she said. “More than that, he had a real curiosity about people and about life.” He was a surgeon who learned medicine in the Army and held the 15th surgery license in the United States. “He was an incredible mentor. My mom was a single mom and had a significant role. My mother was terrific at raising her children and my grandfather was a major inspiration for me.”

She would tell women who aspire to work in the industry that “they’re only limited by what they believe and what they imagine.”

“I believe it’s a really good opportunity for someone who wants to be heavily engaged in an interactive industry,” she said. “If you’ve got the energy for it, go for it.”

Cath Burns, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Bally Technologies Inc.

Growing up in Adelaide, South Australia, Cath Burns had a few people who helped her become the strong woman she is today. “I’ve had a lot of people throughout my career who have helped and guided me, but probably the most significant mentor to me has been my father,” she said. “He’s the sort of person that told me as a child I could do anything as long as I applied myself, and I believed that.”

He has stayed a mentor to her through today. When she started in sales, he taught her to be the best you can, not to wallow over losses, learn from them quickly and move on, as well as to be respectful to everybody.

Burns completed her bachelor’s degree at Flinders University in Australia, then went to the U.S. for her master’s at Central Connecticut State University. She returned to Australia and almost immediately began working at IBM as a graduate trainee, where she describes being introduced to gaming as accidental when she was handed the gaming accounts in her first year.

“IBM gave me my first opportunity in gaming, and from there I went to Video Lottery Consultants (VLC), where I met Dick Haddrill, who was at that time CFO of VLC’s parent company and is now CEO of Bally Technologies. I really enjoyed working with Dick and had great respect for him,” she explained. “Several years later, after he joined Bally, he called me and said, ‘I’ve got a couple of fantastic opportunities for you that I think you’ll really like,’ and one of them was here in China.”

She said Haddrill had a vision that she wanted to be a part of, including focusing on technology and expanding the business internationally. Burns eventually decided to join Haddrill’s team at Bally in 2006.

Twelve years later, Burns has certainly made her mark in the industry. She currently serves as vice president and managing director of Bally Technologies’ Asia Pacific operations, where she is responsible for numerous aspects of both gaming and systems operations.

Her biggest professional accomplishment has also been one of her biggest challenges. In just three years at Bally, she took on not just working in a new culture, but also hiring, implementing policies and procedures, managing distributor relationships, public relations, contract negotiations and supervision.

“Coming to a brand new market that has little to no infrastructure, building world-class casinos, and having to hire in the most buoyant labor market in the world was certainly the biggest challenge I’ve ever had in my career,” she commented. “It definitely has been the most rewarding because in the end we made it through, and we not only made it through, we managed to install our product in all of the major properties here and start to build a successful brand throughout the region.”

Despite her huge success at making Bally a major player in the international market, Burns remains humble. “I think most people who know me would know that I do what I say and I do what I mean,” she noted. “All of my professional accomplishments have been the result of a team effort. I like being part of a team and getting the job done. At the end of the day, we’re here for the customer and the shareholder, and any of my professional accomplishments, whether it’s been in sales or building and starting a business, have all been team-based.”

Burns’ nominators spoke volumes about her invaluable contributions to the business. Haddrill said: “[Implementing our casino management at the Venetian Macau] was a monumental endeavor; yet through Cath’s leadership, this complex installation was nearly flawless.”

“Give us a few Cath Burns and we can win any business battle,” Ramesh Srinivasan, executive vice president of Bally Systems, said.

But there are several other achievements to Burns’ name. After VLC, she saw an opportunity to try something new, and so she became president of Sandals, Sandals, Sandals, a retail shoe business. Putting her mark wherever she goes, she increased its sales by 20 percent. She also wrote a book, though it remains unpublished.

“I’m not a writer but I always wanted to write a book, and when I embarked on it I didn’t realize the commitment and discipline required in such a solitary pursuit,” she noted. “Once I got to the end of it, I was like ‘Wow, what an achievement to actually complete a manuscript.’ It’s one of the things I personally am most proud of.”

In the future, she says she’d like to take a larger role in an operations capacity. “One thing this job in Asia has prepared me for … is being involved at an operational level,” she said. “What I’ve come to realize is that operations is the quiet part of the business, and if you don’t have a solid operational structure, you can’t succeed. It’s the quiet pulse of the company.”

Burns tributes a phrase her grandmother once said as her inspiration: Life isn’t a dress rehearsal.  “To me, you only get one chance to be really good every day,” she said.

Linda J. Roe, Vice President of Business Development and Client Relations, Thalden-Boyd-Emery Architects

If there is one defining word in Linda J. Roe’s experience, it would be “development”—her role in developing a project, developing the dreams of her clients or the development of younger women in the industry.

Having worked in development for most of her career, Roe came to the gaming industry quite by circumstance. In the late ‘80s, the architecture firm Roe was with decided to pursue a new market: riverboat gaming. Sensing a great new opportunity, Roe quickly jumped in with both feet and began networking with the pioneers of this new industry.

Roe is now in her 21st year in gaming. “It was great fun, fast-moving and exciting in those early years,” said Roe. “But my level of respect for this industry has deepened to recognize its significance as a powerful tool for economic growth.”

Roe has been chosen as a Proven Leader. “What higher honor in this industry can a woman possibly receive than to be included in such an accomplished group as the Great Women of Gaming!” said Roe. “I’m truly grateful for the recognition and value its significance.”

The award is one Roe attributes to the multi-faceted roles she has undertaken throughout her career. “Like anything else that is of significance, it didn’t come overnight,” said Roe. “There were many years of participating on various boards and committees, such as the G2E Advisory Board and my work with the NIGA Associate Member program, helping Native American tribes with their lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.”

That passion also manifests itself in Roe’s work with her clients—in particular, Native Americans, whom Roe has found a special fondness for. “In 1992, I worked with my first Native American tribe in Wisconsin, designing their first casino,” said Roe, “and found I had a heart for the struggle of the American Indian. From that point on, my professional work has grown in depth of sincerity and concern, with an earnest willingness to do all I can to impact the economic development of tribes.”

So near-and-dear to her heart was that development, Roe joined Thalden-Boyd-Emery Architects almost 10 years ago, where she is now vice president of business development and client relations.

“I’m proud to be associated with an architectural firm who truly is committed to designing buildings that turn our clients’ dreams into reality,” said Roe. “Our mission is to empower Native America by designing projects to maximize the economic success of their gaming facilities; to ultimately assist the tribes in establishing true sovereignty through their own financial independence.”

Roe points to her association with the firm’s Barry Thalden and Chief Boyd as one of the professional accomplishment she’s most proud of. “They are professionals who do what they say they will, both for their employees and for their clients,” said Roe.

The other, she said, is “my relationship with the many tribal people across the country, for they have given me the reason to pursue helping them accomplish their visions.”

In addition to realizing her client’s dreams, Roe also serves as a mentor to younger women in the industry. She encourages those interested in pursuing a career in gaming to do the following:

• Study the past, so you can be an important part of the future, but keep focused on the present.
• Seek the knowledge and wisdom of elders in the business—invite the counsel of those who have walked before you.
• Be open to new and innovative ideas, as there is more than one way to accomplish worthwhile goals.
• Continue to watch for new trends, but remember what has worked in the past by paying attention to and documenting your experiences.
• Watch other women in our industry; see who rises to the top and why.
• Never lose sight of your values and moral character—nothing is more important than the basic principles of respect, kindness, integrity and generosity to all.

At the time Roe pursued gaming, it was a man’s world—she counts overcoming that as the biggest challenge of her career. She takes a “suit-up and show-up” attitude towards her work. “Just do the next best right thing with the information you have today. I believe that if I am willing to do that, God will take care of the rest.”

In the future, Roe’s goals are to deepen and expand her firm’s growth and reputation with their existing tribal gaming clients, as well as develop new clients in the commercial gaming market; and personally, to deepen and expand her relationships in the gaming industry and beyond, as well as mentor younger women whenever possible. She most admires those who “do not lose sight of their own unique purpose in life, and do not grow weary in doing good for others, even knowing they may not be recognized for it or achieve personal gain.”

Jana McKeag, President, Lowry Strategies

A member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Jana McKeag’s passion for tribal issues is the overlying tenet of her work at Lowry Strategies (a company she founded with her husband, Tom Foley), the focus of her columns at Casino Journal and the fuel for spearheading her field’s hot-button issues.

A graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, from which she received a master’s degree in public administration, McKeag was led to her work in Indian gaming quite by accident. She was tapped by former Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan to help form the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).

“He said legislation was just passed and he had to put together a commission, would I be interested?” said McKeag. “I’d like to say it was something I’d planned for my whole career, but it was just a fortunate break.”

The year was 1991, the time a groundbreaking one in Indian gaming affairs. “We could either stifle the industry or allow it to grow through a lot of the decisions we made and policy directions we took,” said McKeag. “We were under a lot of pressure—from AGs, U.S. attorneys, governors, all these different tribal leaders, to do various things, and I think that the decisions we made really allowed the industry to grow successfully.”

McKeag has been named a Proven Leader in the 2008 Great Women of Gaming awards. She believes that the success that came with working at the NIGC, her subsequent work as an advocate for tribal issues in the industry as a whole, as well as nominations by gaming industry colleagues James Maida and Don Speer, led to the honor. “There are a lot of phenomenal women out there, increasingly, in the gaming industry, so it’s a privilege to be among those selected for this honor,” said McKeag. “I think it’s also something that the Indian gaming industry can be proud of.” 

The wide diversity of issues, overlaid by tribal concerns, is what keeps McKeag energized in her work. “My husband and I joke that there’s never a dull moment, but it’s true,” said McKeag. “The issues are becoming more and more critical as tribes and the gaming industry become more and more successful. It’s always a challenge, there’s always something new and different. That’s what I enjoy most about working in the gaming industry.”

McKeag’s philosophy is “we make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” Those words, once uttered by Winston Churchill, remind McKeag of her focus every day, not only working in Indian gaming, but on everyday Indian issues.

“It’s about having the ability to bring resources to tribes that previously weren’t available to them,” said McKeag. “It’s about a kid who can go to college who couldn’t go to college before or a grandmother who can have health care who previously had poor health care or none at all. That’s what drives me.”

In fact, one of the accomplishments McKeag is most proud of doesn’t have anything to do with gaming at all. One of her clients in the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota had been fighting for years to get land taken back into trust, not for gaming purposes but because it had been stolen from them by the Army Corps of Engineers and flooded. Working with Congress, McKeag was able to get that trust signed into law by then-President George W. Bush in 2006.

Taking a look at the women across the industry, McKeag sees a disproportionate number of women in higher positions (she, as president of Lowry Strategies, can be included in this assessment). She’s since seen women pursue roles not typically “female,” so she encourages other women to “go after the positions that are atypical, and listen to your mentors—female and male mentors—stay on top of the trends, read the literature and work very hard.” And, she added, “Have a sense of humor, especially about yourself.”

McKeag’s Lowry Strategies is, by design, a small, bipartisan government affairs and consulting firm. One of its business strategies is to have strategic alliances with firms around Washington, D.C. “One of the reasons we want to stay small is that our clients are our business, our clients are our passion—we want to do the best job possible that we can for them,” said McKeag. “We’re very honored to represent the clients that we do and feel that a lot of firms that have numerous clients can’t offer the level of service we can by staying small.”

McKeag has also been on the G2E advisory board for more than 10 years. Her future goals include keeping that conference the most vital and relevant in gaming. She aims to do that by keeping up on the evolving needs of the industry. This also plays into what she hopes to accomplish for her clients: staying ahead of the curve on key issues, keeping Indian gaming strong and helping them do the best they can in the current economy.

Catina L. Moore, Senior Manager of Operations, WMS

When Catina L. Moore entered the manufacturing field after her college studies at DeVry Institute of Technology, she had no idea she’d end up in gaming. In fact, she wasn’t even aware there was a gaming industry. Years later, this Rising Star is making her impact on others and the industry at WMS Gaming.

Moore came to WMS in 2003 after deciding to take a leap of faith to find a job more suited to her own personal goals, which led her to what she calls one of the most fascinating jobs she’s ever held. “I’ve been with a couple companies in my past and what I found was that they were more product-focused and less focused on their most valuable assets—the people,” Moore commented. “Coming to WMS definitely changed my view on corporate America and opened my eyes to endless possibilities in a fascinating industry; I realized that you yield your greatest return when you invest in the people behind the product.”

Some of WMS’ best games, such as Monopoly, Powerball and Wizard of Oz, can be attributed to Moore’s dedicated work, knowledge and expertise in product launches. “Such success did not come easy, but it helps to have a secret weapon behind the scenes, and ours is Catina Moore,” Mark Trego, director of operational planning at WMS, said about her.

Moore’s hard work was rewarded when she was named Employee of the Month in March 2006, followed by Employee of the Year for Fiscal 2006, which Rob Bone, vice president of marketing for WMS, referred to as “the company’s single greatest honor.”

However, it is mentoring that Moore takes most pride in. She was selected to serve as vice president of the Women’s Networking Group at WMS. “The network helps to pull together resources, information, education, mentoring,” she explained. “WNG aims to help every woman at WMS recognize her true value and bring increased awareness and leverage diversity within the organization, while allowing women to network with their peers. It creates an opportunity that usually is already there but is not always recognized.”

In addition to her role with WNG, she also participates in a peer volunteer program. Aimed at welcoming new hires, she creates an environment that is comfortable for them to ask questions, meet and interact with people and become oriented with the company. “Without having a mentor, I don’t understand how you can see the full you or the big picture,” she said. “Every place I’ve worked at, I’ve always managed to have a mentor help me see things differently. It’s wise to have someone who can help you both personally and professionally, to be a listening ear, provide constructive criticism and keep you abreast of opportunities and be an advocate for the work that you do.”

As far as challenges, Moore said her biggest professional hurdle was simply being an African American woman in the corporate workplace. “That has been huge for me,” she noted. “It was one of those things where everything I knew culturally in my life not necessarily had to be set aside, but had to merge with the corporate world.” She said she overcame it by taking the time to really learn other people, value their experiences and understand where they were coming from so she, in return, could ensure communication in a way that she could be heard and valued as well.

Moore credits her ability to remain spiritually grounded as her biggest accomplishment. “Because I am a working wife and mother, having a balance is extremely important. Taking on that role can be stressful, but it also can be very rewarding. At the end of the day, my spiritual well-being is the driving force that tells me I can do it all over again. I’m most proud of that because without it, I don’t think I could accomplish all the things I have accomplished,” she said.

When she’s not busy at work, Moore still finds the time to serve as a mentor in other capacities. She is involved in her church where she leads a teen ministry and a dance ministry. She aims to inspire the youth to stay spiritually grounded and reach their highest potential. In addition, she is a supporter of Hope Worldwide.

Her words of advice for aspiring women: “Turn excuse and failure into hope and possibility,” she stated. “As we achieve our goals and dreams, we should always look to help others. I have found that I am at my best when in the service of other individuals.”

Moore has clearly made a difference in her short time in the industry and has a bright future. Bone said about her, “I cannot think of a better ombudsman or representative for the Great Women of Gaming and how people can influence so much change.”

Valerie Morris, Vice President of Sales and Convention Services, Communications and Community Affairs, Harrah's Entertainment, Mid-South Region

Despite only being in the gaming industry six years, Valerie Morris could easily be mistaken for a Proven Leader. She has accomplished much, both in gaming and myriad other areas including the culinary arts and volunteer service, winning numerous awards.

Saying Morris keeps herself busy would be an understatement. Morris said it’s not unusual for her to work 12- to 14-hour days, plus weekends. “I really enjoy being busy and constantly on the go, having lots of balls or projects in the air, whether it’s for my paying job or a volunteer project,” she said.

A true traveler, Morris, born in Brazil, studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris after graduating from the University of North Carolina. She has written cookbooks and even developed a culinary arts and hospitality program geared toward training and rehabilitating inmates at the Shelby County Division of Corrections.

Morris’s position at Harrah’s involves sales and convention services, internal and external communications, media relations, community affairs and partnerships for Harrah’s Memphis Corporate Office and Harrah’s Horseshoe and Sheraton Casinos in Tunica, Miss.

Her countless volunteer efforts have helped many and have raised millions of dollars for charities. Just some of the many associations she’s involved with include: the Mississippi Council for Compulsive Gambling, the National Civil Rights Museum, the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Ronald McDonald House, United Way, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, Make a Wish and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Morris was recently instrumental in garnering the Volunteer Memphis Corporate Neighbor of the Year Award and the Northwest Mississippi Community Foundation Business of the Year Community Star Award for Harrah’s Entertainment Mid-South Region.

To honor her philanthropic and business efforts, Morris was named one of the 30 most beautiful people in Memphis by Elite Magazine in 2003 and by RSVP Magazine in 2007. In 1998, she was the first woman given “Chef of the Year” by the Greater Memphis Chapter of the American Culinary Federation and the first female president of the chapter. She also recently received the George W. Bush President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation Volunteer Award and a Tunica Tourism Award for media support. She was also the recipient of the Harrah’s Entertainment Central Division Chairman’s Award for both team and leadership in 2008.

Her role in gaming started through her community involvement, where she had the opportunity to meet and interact with many people, including Caesar’s Entertainment executives who convinced her to work for them. “They did a great job selling me on the company and the people,” she said. “I have to thank Jon Lucas, a regional president with Caesar’s at that time, for bringing me into this fast paced and exciting industry.”
     
Despite all the awards, Morris said: “The real accomplishment that I am most proud of is mentoring my team of diverse employees and helping them to grow and be as successful as possible. I am a firm believer that if you lead people well, they will achieve more, and together we will all accomplish everyone’s goals and aspirations.” 

One of her challenges has been simply being a woman. “I have had several career changes, and all have been in areas that were professions dominated by men,” she explained. “I have overcome these challenges by working hard, being loyal and remaining dedicated to the task at hand, thereby earning respect versus demanding it.”

She credits several individuals for her own mentoring. “First and foremost, my main mentor would have to be my father,” she said. “He always believed in me and taught me that I could achieve anything if I just put my mind and energies toward the goal. Secondly, during my culinary days, Chef Ernest Prokos encouraged me to pursue my passion, be creative and not to be afraid of hard work. In the past several years, someone I admire greatly and has provided invaluable support and guidance is Marybel Batjer, corporate vice president of public policy and communications with Harrah’s Entertainment.”

She also said her husband has provided support. “He keeps me real and is always there for me,” she added. “We truly are a great team.”

But inner strength is what keeps Morris going. “I believe that you have to motivate yourself and not necessarily look to others to motivate you,” she said. “The drive and the passion to succeed have to come from within. I have a philosophy: ‘If you are going to do it, do it right and do it right the first time.’”

Treena Parvello, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise

Treena Parvello has passion for the Tohono O’odham Nation, both as a member and as part of her professional life. She’s been working for the Gaming Enterprise for 11 years, starting as a marketing coordinator. Several promotions later, she’s sitting comfortably in her role as director of marketing and public relations.

Following her undergraduate education at the University of Arizona (UA), she first worked for the nation as an education assistant specialist in the higher education program. Soon after, she happened upon the marketing position at the tribal casino in Tucson. She then went back to UA to work on earning her master’s degree in business administration, which she completed in 2002.

“I am very proud of the fact that my tribe has provided the opportunity to not only provide me a graduate education, but also to provide me with the opportunity of employment,” Parvello said. “I have been fortunate in my life, and I want to let young people know that it is OK to have dreams and to pursue your dreams. Native people have lived hard lives, and yet we are very proud, strong and resilient people who have so much to offer.”

The Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise operates three gaming facilities in southern Arizona— the Desert Diamond Casino, Desert Diamond Casino Hotel and Golden Ha:sañ Casino. At just 35, Parvello manages more than a dozen people and oversees approximately 40 more.  “As a true leader, she finds strength in her team and encourages them to be successful as individuals, as a group and as an enterprise,” Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. noted about her.

Balance, Parvello admits, has been challenging. “I can get caught up in the day-to-day and lose touch with my values and what is most important,” she said. “This industry necessitates time and commitment and it is easy to lose yourself. As I mature, my patience and perspective have also grown, and I have overcome barriers and am still learning.”

Parvello acknowledges the path that has been paved for her. “I have been very fortunate to have individuals who have walked before me and paved the way for me, and I only hope that I can serve as a positive role model to other young women and young native children,” she said. “This industry has so many strong, experienced and knowledgeable role models who are willing to share their knowledge with others. I am thankful for the opportunities gaming presents and the positive impact it has on more than just individuals; Indian gaming impacts families and communities by providing jobs and donations to schools, social services, scholarships and so much more.”

Outside of the office, Parvello has served on several committees. She was the youngest commissioner for the Metropolitan Tucson Urban Native American Affairs, which she was part of during college, and co-chaired the Tohono O’odham Nation Gang Prevention Task Force and the Joint American Indian Retention and Recruitment Committee. She also has volunteered with the House of Neighborly Service, a Native American youth program in Tucson.

“Advice is something that I like to emit by being a role model, however I can vouch for being motivated, passionate and driven in your career journey and yet I advise to be true to who you are and always remember balance,” Parvello said. “I was told not to let my career take over my personal life because you can’t get it back. That is very good advice and I want to pass it on.”

Michelle Chatigny, Vice President of Compliance, IGT

Michelle Chatigny was looking through the large plate-glass window of her bank when the quote “a desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world” monopolized her thoughts. “I decided that day that I wanted to expand my horizons and wanted to travel beyond the states of Nevada and California, and meet people I would not otherwise have met,” she said.

A 12-year veteran of the banking world, Chatigny was intent on working her way up that industry’s ladder when she instead set her sights on the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Intrigued by the travel, as well as the nature of the work, Chatigny applied for a job as an investigator. She got the position, and spent the next seven years learning about the gaming industry and the rules and regulations that covered all aspects of gaming.

Today, Chatigny is vice president of compliance at IGT, and a recipient of the Rising Star award. “It is an honor to be selected among such a well-deserving group of women and being chosen by those talented women who have received this award before me,” said Chatigny. “I consider it very important to work as a part of team, so this is an honor for not only me, but also for the team I work with.”

The award also comes as a fruit of Chatigny’s long-held credo. “I’ve always believed that you can’t chase short-term success and that hard work, perseverance and passion would be rewarded in the long run,” she said. “I was so fortunate to be raised with the idea that I could do anything I set my mind to, as it freed me from any concept of barriers.”

At the Gaming Control Board, Chatigny participated in investigations of people and private and public entities that sought gaming licenses or other gaming approvals. She quickly discovered it was akin to the board game Othello—“a minute to learn and a lifetime to master.”

Chatigny’s exposure to the wide variety of gaming issues and the application of rules and regulations was indispensable. “I worked with a group of people who gave me the opportunity to be the best I could be,” Chatigny said. “Their support and guidance played a major role in my gaming career.”

When the opportunity with IGT arose, Chatigny thought there’d be no better company to work with. “IGT had already recognized the need for strict compliance and had an excellent reputation as far as its business ethics and transparency,” said Chatigny. “In fact, IGT was one of the first gaming companies to dedicate a full-time resource to its compliance efforts. I was also excited about the opportunity to work at a company with global operations and a depth of exciting products.”

And Chatigny loves that each day brings with it a different challenge. “Working for a company like IGT, which has activity in virtually every corner of the world where some form of gaming is legal, means there are new jurisdictional developments happening on a continuous basis,” she said. “It’s also exciting to see the way the new products are changing the industry, and being a part of that evolution in a way that ensures regulatory concerns are met is both fun and challenging.”

Chatigny originally studied accounting before realizing she had no desire to become an accountant. But she said it ultimately was the perfect background for the role of a financial investigator, as she learned how to understand and analyze financial statements.

Currently, Chatigny oversees the international and domestic compliance programs IGT has put into place on both product and regulatory matters, as well as corporate and building security.

“With more than 360 licenses and a comprehensive and ever-changing and improving product line, it’s a lot to keep track of,” she said. She also serves on the company’s compliance committee, and oversees the company’s code of conduct and Integrity Action Line.

“I am very fortunate and proud to be part of an incredible team of dedicated professionals,” said Chatigny. “The excitement of working as a part of such a talented management team has helped me to continue to grow professionally.”

In the future, Chatigny hopes to play a role in helping the industry get back on track from the difficult economic environment. “This will take hard work from a manufacturer’s perspective, to introduce new product while helping the regulator with the regulations and approvals needed that will support the gaming operators in offering exciting entertainment that customers will love,” said Chatigny. “Working with my management team while reaching out to other manufacturers to accomplish this goal will be essential to get our industry growing again.”

To those interested in pursuing a career in the gaming industry, she offers this advice:  “Decide what drives the passion in you. Understand that passion, then look to the manufacturer, operator or regulator depending on those passions.”

Jennifer Roberts, Associate Attorney, Lionel Sawyer & Collins

Jennifer Roberts, an associate attorney in the Gaming and Regulatory department at Lionel Sawyer & Collins, has enriched her career through the education of others. A winner of the Rising Star category, Roberts currently co-teaches a gaming law class at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), with her fellow attorney and mentor Bob Faiss, but her love of teaching reaches back to law school, when Roberts was a teaching assistant in the Academic Support Program. “I helped tutor students for property examinations and understand some of the more complicated areas of property law,” said Roberts. “It was very rewarding.”

Law students weren’t the only benefactors Roberts leant a helping hand to; she also had the privilege to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. “I worked in a youth prison,” said Roberts. “I’ve always enjoyed seeing people do something positive in their lives. For me, that is teaching.”

Roberts is also active in judging competitions at the local high school and college, as well as regional, levels. She recently judged an international competition that took place at UNLV. “I was on a panel of judges for the semi-final rounds of an international client counseling competition,” she said. “The three teams I saw were from Australia, Russia and Ireland. It was exciting to see law students from those countries competing and seeing how well they counsel clients.”

Roberts also helps out at area high schools by judging mock trials. She said she participates in those types of activities as much as possible.

Roberts counts teaching and mentoring among her greatest professional accomplishments, along with helping her clients accomplish their goals—in the current economic environment, that’s a challenge in itself. But there’s a spark of hope among the negativity: Roberts is currently working with Hard Rock Cafe in getting all the licenses necessary to open its new location on the Las Vegas Strip, set to debut later this year. “I enjoy working on this new location and seeing it grow, especially since the Strip is going through a downturn,” said Roberts. “I like to see that something I helped work with is coming to fruition.”

Roberts also spoke with great passion of the tight-knit community that encompasses those in gaming law, whether it be attorneys, regulators or clients. “To me, it’s about the relationships. Everyone has been such a joy to work with—it’s a wonderful group.”

But if it hadn’t been for the one gaming law class offered at the University of Utah (Utah is one of two states without legalized gaming), where Roberts was a William H. Leary scholar, she might not have ended up in gaming law. “I got lucky that I interviewed with my firm,” said Roberts. “I didn’t know Bob Faiss because I lived in Utah. But I was blessed to be able to join my firm and work with the best attorneys in the area.”

It’s no surprise that Roberts counts Faiss as one of those she most admires (the other is her mother). “I just hope to accomplish at least a fraction of what he has,” she said. “It’s amazing what he’s done for the gaming industry.”

Roberts credits Faiss and Ellen Whittemore, also part of her firm’s Gaming and Regulatory Law department, for guiding her in her career. “I owe so many of my accomplishments to them,” she said. “I couldn’t be where I’m at in my career without them.”

It is these accomplishments, as well as her work with the Hard Rock and mobile gaming operator Cantor Gaming, that Roberts believes led to her award as a Great Woman of Gaming. “I looked through the accomplishments of the other recipients and nominees, past and present, and feel truly honored to be in the same class as them,” she said.

So what does Roberts look forward to in the future? New advancements, such as mobile gaming, in her field, as well as maintaining and seeking out great relationships with her clients. She also hopes to augment her expertise in liquor laws, a topic she has lectured on at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. 

She also hopes to continue a newly acquired personal passion—running. After taking up the sport to get into better shape, Roberts has competed in 21 half-marathons.

It’s all part of her can-do attitude, which sums up her thoughts on challenges that come her way or that come up for others. “Just work hard and be comfortable with the challenges you’ll face. Then, there’s nothing better than to overcome those challenges.”