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GLOBAL GAMING WOMEN
Next Generation of AGA Women
W
omen, an increasingly well-educated source of talent, have penetrated the global workforce in growing numbers in the recent decade. In 2011, the American Gaming Association set an example to rise above the status quo through Global Gaming Women, a group that strives to build strong relationships, to provide networking opportunities and to cultivate a nurturing environment for women to grow within the industry. GGW is set on improving the lives of women in the gaming industry and fostering the next generation of gaming women. In 2014, we are growing at AGA with a team of capable, talented women who will lead our industry forward. Before joining AGA, I worked with MGM Resorts International as the vice president of government affairs, leading the Maryland lobbying and referendum campaign for casino expansion. Now, as senior vice president of public affairs at AGA, I oversee all communications, research and campaign-style
by Sara Rayme, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, American Gaming Association
initiatives. We are fortunate to be building AGA from a strong foundation of leadership, hard work, intelligence and ambition. My new female colleagues include the following: • Allie Barth, senior director of communications, joins us from the U.S. Travel Association, where she developed and managed the organization’s internal and external communications and implemented strategic campaign initiatives. She executes AGA’s communications platform. • Elizabeth Cronan, director of gaming policy, previously worked with International Game Technology (IGT) and held a consulting role with GeoComply, a geo-location company actively engaged in online gaming expansion. Elizabeth leads AGA’s public-policy activities, including regulatory reform and anti-money laundering initiatives. • Virginia Hurt Johnson, general counsel, brings 30 years of experience in the private and public sectors and has extensive knowledge of the executive and legislative branches. As part-time
general counsel, Virginia addresses AGA’s day-today legal needs, manages outside counsel, and guides the organization as it attracts new members and opportunities. To carry on the success of GGW, AGA plans to launch the GGW toolkit this year. It will include our recent research findings and suggest recommendations for implementation. We will distribute our material among affinity groups and AGA member companies to further educate and enrich the lives of women across our industry. We will also continue to promote GGW’s mission of education, mentorship and networking through our scholarship program, GlobalGamingNetwork.org, and the growing list of GGW events and programming. I look forward to learning and growing with women of our industry. Women belong in all divisions of gaming. GGW is one of the programs that AGA will continue to build to help elevate our entire industry.