Global Gaming Women Thursday introduced Lauren Bates, a senior executive in the gaming industry, as the new president of its board of directors. The gaming industry non-profit also introduced Light & Wonder EVP & Group CEO Gaming Siobhan Lane as 1st vice president, and Brandi Ellis, Caesars Entertainment SVP of Marketing, as 2nd vice president.
Bates succeeds Cassie Stratford, whose tenure as president ended Dec. 31, 2023.
“Lauren’s demonstrated work ethic and determination, has had a huge impact in promoting the recent growth and success of Global Gaming Women, which I’m looking forward to seeing continued under her leadership as president,” said Stratford, Boyd Gaming Corporation SVP of Legal Operations and Regulatory Compliance, in a statement.
“Since 2011, the focus of Global Gaming Women has been to support, inspire, and influence the development of women in gaming,” Bates said. “Today, every member of GGW’s Board of Directors is centered on that same mission. With the investment, success, and geographic expansion achieved in the last two years by outgoing president Cassie Stratford, GGW has a solid foundation for even greater growth, which I aim to accomplish.”
Global Gaming Women also announced the following appointments:
- Treasurer: Samantha Huff-Schlueter, Senior Manager, Assurance Services Group at RubinBrown LLP
- Secretary: Kate White, Vice President of Intelligence & IT Program Management at PENN Entertainment
- General Counsel: Kelci Binau, attorney at McDonald Carano
The new members of GGW’s Board of Directors for 2024-26 are:
- Karin Bernkopf, IGT Senior Director of Marketing, Gaming
- Adi Kasunic, Venetian Resort Las Vegas Vice President of Human Resources
- Tashina Lazcano, Konami Gaming Director of Marketing & Communications
- Cortney Luvera, Coca-Cola Company Senior Manager
- Suzanne Trout, Cordish Gaming Group EVP & CMO
- Julie Woodruff, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee and Seminole Brighton Casino.
