Level Up with Wondr

In honor of Black History Month, Level Up with Wondr is collaborating with our partners at African Americans in Gaming to bring you two conversations with black leaders that are making an impact. Guest host Jeff Gray speaks with Darnell Johnson, VP of Product Management at IGT, and Rose Hudson, President & CEO of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation about their career paths, challenges they've faced, their outlook on the future of their respective industries, and advice for young professionals looking to succeed. 

To celebrate the first year of Level Up with Wondr, the team is taking a look back on some of the most impactful conversations from the show. From recurring trends, to our favorite episodes, we’re reflecting on all we’ve accomplished and giving a peek into what listeners can expect in the new year.

Anthony Gaud shares the story of his journey through the entertainment industry, his start in toy design eventually leading him to his current role as co-founder and CEO of GaudHammer Gaming Group. He shares insights on the evolving intersection of video games, iGaming, and casino gaming, the impact of AI in creative fields, and the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the current gaming landscape. 

Jeannie Hovland, Vice Chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission and member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe joins the podcast to share the story of her career journey, the importance of tribal self-sufficiency and the NIGC’s efforts in addressing issues like human trafficking and missing and murdered indigenous persons. With over 20 years of experience in tribal gaming, Jeannie shares valuable insights on the role of tribal casinos in enhancing community welfare and provides crucial resources to help in combating human trafficking.

To kick off Native American Heritage Month, Josh Carter, Executive Director of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, joins the podcast to share the story of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and his dedication to preserving and promoting Northeastern Woodland culture. Josh shares insights on the role of cultural intelligence in fostering relationships with Native communities and highlights current and future initiatives at the museum to bring the story of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and their sister nations to life in new and exciting ways.

To close out Hispanic Heritage Month, Martha Morales shares the story of her journey in the casino industry and how her start in hospitality led her to her current role as Assistant General Manager at Boyd Gaming. Martha opens up about the importance of representation, building supportive networks, and her own role in advocating for her community, including her involvement with the Hospitality Advisory Committee Charitable Foundation.

As Responsible Gaming Education Month comes to an end, Juan Baez joins the podcast to share the story of his career journey, from his start in community mental health and addiction counseling to his current role as Responsible Gaming Program Manager with Rush Street Interactive. Juan shares valuable insights on the importance of responsible gaming, sustainable play, and the future of the industry.

Frances Alvarez tells the story of her 23 year journey in the tribal gaming industry, from her start with the San Francisco Tribal Gaming Commission to founding Rezonate LLC. As a current leader in organizations like the National Native American Hall of Game and the Tribal Gaming Protection Network, Frances shares valuable insights on her dedication to indigenous communities, overcoming fear in career transitions, and the importance of servant leadership.

Vik Shrestha joins us to share the story of his 10+ year journey in the gaming industry, from compliance and management at companies like GLI and IGT to co-founding SB22. He provides valuable insights on the challenges of being an entrepreneur in gaming, staying on top of an ever-evolving tech landscape, and the impact of AI and VR on future innovations.

Melissa Pursley, Senior Vice President of Global Lottery Product and Sales Development at IGT tells the story of her career journey, her background in marketing and retail unexpectedly leading her to the gaming industry. As the co-executive sponsor for Pride at IGT, Melissa provides unique insights into the company’s best in class DEI efforts while reflecting on how her own identity has influenced her career and leadership.