Global Gaming Women names Boyd's Cassie Stratford as new Board President

Global Gaming Women announced Thursday the appointment of Cassie Stratford as the incoming board president, elected by the Board of Directors, beginning her term effective July 2021. She currently serves as Vice President of Legal Affairs and Assistant General Counsel for Boyd Gaming Corporation. 

In a press release by the company, Stratford spoke about her appointment. 

“GGW has become what it is today because of the dedication of its founding board members and sponsors in supporting and encouraging the professional advancement of women in gaming. It is such an exciting time for our industry, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with this impressive group of leaders to continue to advance GGW’s important mission”. 

GGW also announced the addition of five new members to its board members for 2021-2023, including Dorothy Costa, senior vice president of people and transformation, IGT; Jacqueline Grace, senior vice president and general manager for Caesars Entertainment; Grainne Hurst, director corporate affairs for Entain Group; Siobhan Lane, chief commercial officer for Scientific Games; and Kate White, vice president of business intelligence and IT program management for Penn National Gaming. 

Christie Eickelman, GGW past board president and Vice President of Global Marketing for Gaming Laboratories International said: “Thank you to the dedication of our Board members and the generosity of our sponsors, GGW is stronger than ever. Women around the world have benefitted from Global Gaming Women, and we still have work to do. I am thrilled for Cassie to assume the mantle of leadership, to build on our achievements, and to take women in gaming to new heights.” 

GGW membership represents women in commercial, tribal, suppliers, lottery, tourism, and digital, and the organization currently has more than 6,000 professional women as members. GGW has a presence in 42 states and 12 countries with members in job level categories of 21% front line leaders, 30% supervisors and managers, 25%, and 25% vice president or above. In addition to its traditional offerings, development programs now include Lean-In circles and virtual masterclasses.

Under the direction of Stratford, the GGW Board of Directors, made up of the Education Committee, Events Committee, Finance Committee, Kick Up Your Heels Committee, Marketing Committee, Membership Committee, Mentorship Committee, and Nominating Committee, steer the development of programs, events and educational offerings for the organization. There are currently over 100 female gaming executives and emerging leaders engaged on the committees.