## Top Women of Impact in 2021: Part Three – Public Figures – iGB
In the concluding segment, we unveil the last three women on the iGB Top Women of Impact in 2021 list, along with those who just missed out on the top ten this year.
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Top Women of Impact in 2021: Part Three
In 2018, we introduced the iGB Top Women of Impact list to acknowledge the most accomplished women in our sector. Now in its fourth year, the poll continues to expand in significance, drawing hundreds of suggestions from across the industry. This is the third part of a three-part online series. To learn more about how the list was created and why it was particularly important this year, see Top Women of Impact in 2021: Part One and Part Two.
Maarja Pärt, Chief Executive Officer of Yolo Group
It’s remarkable for a woman to stand out in a male-dominated field, but to do so in three – gaming, digital currency, and financial technology – speaks volumes about Maarja Pärt’s accomplishments.
Known for her bold and ambitious career, the Chief Executive Officer of Yolo Group has always stayed true to her convictions and never compromised. This has taken her from a team of six in 2010 to becoming a Chief Executive Officer in the gaming industry ten years later.
“I have always challenged the existing order, pushed limits, but more importantly, I have always stayed true to my principles and beliefs.”
Currently, this enterprise, employing nearly seven hundred individuals and managing numerous undertakings, is vastly different from its state a decade ago. However, the fundamental principles remain unchanged. I would never deviate from this – this philosophy has always been and will always be the cornerstone of all my actions.
Pärt has diligently striven to forge a path forward during the worldwide health crisis and has endeavored to establish a varied work environment where all employees have equal chances.
Having a network of women like Yolo’s Chief Operating Officer Anita Brinke, Interim Chief Operating Officer Katrin Puusepp, and Yolo Ventures CEO Christine Lewis has provided her with consistent motivation to continue progressing.
“Being able to rely on other women who encounter similar obstacles makes us all more understanding and compassionate, fostering a more joyful and wholesome atmosphere. Ultimately, though, it’s all about constructing a robust team, and any team’s diversity undoubtedly contributes to strengthening that power,” she stated.
The industry should emulate Pärt’s example at Yolo and simplify the process for women to ascend the ranks. A concentrated effort to bring together the most capable and brilliant individuals, regardless of their origins, creates a more diverse workforce.
“Because we are so focused on building a team of the most talented individuals, we have been compelled to attract talent from diverse backgrounds. Diversity has its own rewards, as we now have a team filled with personalities who bring their unique viewpoints to the challenges we confront daily.”
Birgitte Sand, the chief executive officer of Birgitte Sand & Associates, is a prominent supporter of responsible gambling rules.
During her time as the head of the Danish Gambling Authority, Sand established a framework for sustainable gambling regulation, encouraging dialogue and cooperation between authorities and the industry. This strategy, which is absent in early regulated markets such as France and Italy, has been lauded for its effectiveness.
Since stepping down from her role in early 2020, Sand has continued to promote this approach, sharing her expertise with regulators and policymakers worldwide. She has also utilized her board positions to advance diversity and responsible gambling.
“I hope this recognition sends a strong message to other women that you can build a successful and fulfilling career, even though women are still underrepresented in leadership positions,” Sand remarked.
Sand added that she has a “very diverse viewpoint” on what constitutes a successful position in today’s industry. “I want to encourage other women to choose their own path to a successful and exciting career, rather than simply following the crowd and missing out on opportunities,” she stated.
When inquired about the key to her success, Sand attributed it partly to her positive outlook and commitment to her principles. However, she emphasized the importance of “being passionate about my work and the people and projects I believe in, and being willing to go the extra mile to achieve our objectives!”
Individuals’ pre-existing beliefs and commitment to established practices have consistently presented obstacles for Sands to overcome and dismantle on her journey ahead. “I’ve always held the conviction that diversity is a boon, and some of the most remarkable moments in my professional journey have stemmed from collaborating with diverse teams, experiencing elevated levels of ingenuity and reciprocal inspiration.”
When addressing the actions the industry still needs to undertake to cultivate a work environment that fosters the growth and elevation of women and other underrepresented groups into leadership roles, Sands remarked: “I’m undoubtedly stating the obvious – women ought to be actively engaged in defining the criteria for attracting and motivating other women.
“And there should be a thorough examination of how ‘promotion’ needs to mirror the realities of life in 2021 and be suitable for underrepresented groups and the diverse work-life equilibrium styles we observe.”
Lindsay Slade, Director of Game Management – Geocomply
In recent years, the ongoing expansion of online sports wagering in the United States has been one of the prominent narratives within the industry.
However, as any active participant in the country will elucidate, it’s not a singular jurisdiction, but rather a conglomeration of markets, with each state establishing its own regulatory and compliance framework.
As a service provider, it’s vital to guarantee your offerings adhere to regulations in every jurisdiction. Geocomply, under the direction of Chief Executive Lindsay Slader, has emerged as the foremost geolocation compliance provider, committed to ensuring users can only access products intended for their region.
Slader’s leadership necessitates expertise across numerous domains, as outlined in a nomination.
“Her extensive experience and background in online gaming and geolocation technology regulatory compliance and government affairs make her a renowned expert in the field,” the nomination stated. “She utilizes her comprehensive knowledge and experience, along with the connections she has fostered across various sectors within the industry, from service providers and regulators to lawmakers, to ensure Geocomply consistently meets the changing requirements of the industry.
“Lindsay collaborates closely with regulators, lawmakers, gaming service providers, and many others within the industry to advocate for the advantages and applications of real-time location data in both physical and online gaming.”
Few businesses have dominated an industry like Geocomply has under Slader’s guidance. The provider holds nearly a complete market share in the US.
Looking ahead, she also spearheaded the expansion of vendors to fresh markets encompassing Canada, Latin America, and Europe. Meanwhile, potential new market introductions in the United States (including New York and California) could further augment Geocomply’s worth to operators.
This worth has been acknowledged in the private equity realm, with Geocomply announcing in March that private equity firms Blackstone Growth and Atairos would be investing in the enterprise. While the precise magnitude of the investment has not been divulged, the company stated that the agreements made Geocomply a “unicorn” entity valued at billions of dollars, with one nominator noting that Slader “absolutely played a key role” in securing the financing.
As Geocomply and the US iGaming sector continue to expand, Slader’s cross-industry know-how has made her a driving force behind a leading enterprise in the sector that dominates its space with few equals.
**Individuals to Observe**
**Adjudicators**
Ewa Bakun serves as the Director of Industry Insight and Engagement at Clarion Gaming. She is accountable for key industry connections and market intelligence to pinpoint industry trends and ensure the editorial integrity of educational content presented through the Clarion brand. Ewa has been monitoring industry advancements since 2009, witnessing the rise (and occasionally fall) of trends, brands, and personalities, which is a testament to the rapid pace of development in the industry.
Britt Boskov, the Chief Experience Officer at Kindred Group, has integrated a customer-focused strategy into the heart of the global operator’s expansion and plan. She has occupied various leadership roles at Kindred, supervising product development, distribution channels, and service delivery. Britt also sits on the board of directors for a horse racing media organization.
Andrew Bloxham, a Partner at the executive search firm Odgers Berndtson, has spent a decade locating directors, senior managers, top-level executives, and non-executive directors for the betting and gaming sector. Prior to joining Odgers, he spent eight years spearheading recruitment in the technology/online, consumer goods, and financial services industries in the UK and Europe.
Stephen Carter joined iGB in 2014, overseeing the editorial direction and output of the iGB, iGB Affiliate, iGB North America, and ICE 365 brands. He has been covering the industry since 2007, working for numerous business-to-business publications and affiliate websites, including eGR.
Christy Ackerman is the Global Vice President of Marketing at Gaming Laboratories International, responsible for leading and implementing all marketing initiatives across the company’s global presence. She has been a pioneer for women in the gaming industry since 1992, beginning her career at Sodak Gaming, then transitioning to Wolf Gaming, and ultimately joining GLI in 1999, where she has steadily advanced through the ranks.
Aikman is enthusiastic about contributing to the community, acting as a board member of Women in Gaming Worldwide and previously holding the position of the organization’s leader.
Anika Howard is the Vice President of Brand Marketing and Digital for Foxwoods Resort Casino, in charge of advertising, public relations, online marketing, sponsorships/partnerships, website development and social media, as well as the growth of Foxwoods Social Casino and sports betting and online gaming. Before joining Foxwoods, Anika was a senior executive at IGT. She was recognized as one of the iGB’s most influential women in 2020.
Richard Schuetz is the head of Schuetz LLC, a gaming and regulatory consulting firm. He has almost 50 years of experience in the casino industry, previously serving as Executive Director of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission, Commissioner of the California Gambling Control Commission, and President and CEO of the Stratosphere Tower Hotel and Casino.
Helen Walton is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of G Games. She started her career at Unilever and has worked with Boots, Frucor, Tate & Lyle, PZ Cussons and many other brands. She describes herself as a trader, writer and marketer who enjoys resolving issues, trying new concepts and making things happen.
Authored by Nosah Omoigui, Daniel O’Boyle and Stephen Carter
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