Zona de Azar USA – “10 Women Rising in Gaming”, Today: Brooke Fiumara
USA.- January 26th 2023 www.zonadeazar.com Cassie Stratford started working in the gaming industry in 2012. Over those 11 years, Stratford, senior vice President, legal operations and compliance at Boyd Gaming, has noticed a perceptible difference in the makeup of industry personnel. “Even at the outset of my career, I felt very positive,” says Stratford, who also serves as president of the advocacy group Global Gaming Women. “But I do feel like I’m seeing a lot more women rise to executive levels.”
Women are increasingly prevailing as decision-makers and vital contributors to their companies. They have diverse backgrounds and hail from Alaska, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and points in between. And they tend to be younger, well-educated, and determined to not only to chart careers, but significantly impact the industry.
Stratford and Global Gaming Women Association Director Kelly Hatch were asked to help select ten women under 40 who are shattering stereotypes in the gaming industry.
CDC Gaming Reports asked each participant how they got their start in gaming, their initial and current impressions of the industry, and where they’re headed.
Today: Brooke Fiumara
Hometown: Texarkana, TX
Current position: Cofounder and Co-CEO of OPTX
First position in the gaming industry: Marketing Coordinator at Fiesta Henderson
What do you like about working in gaming?
On the operator’s side, I absolutely loved that working at a resort was like operating 10 different businesses. From marketing luxury hotels to nightlife and entertainment, to happy hours to VIP Casino marketing and database marketing, you truly get exposed to everything.
On the vendor side, I love leveraging my operational knowledge to help create products that have a direct impact on EBIDTA. Sometimes I feel more effective on this side of the business than I ever did on the operational side.
Did anything surprise you about the industry when you first started?
I was surprised at how much opportunity there was for immediate growth in my career. In this industry with so many different operational verticals (supplier and operator) people have so many opportunities to pave the path for an incredible and fulfilling career.
Were you familiar with gambling before landing a job in the industry? What were your thoughts about it before starting to work in gaming? Has your impression of the industry changed at all?
I moved to Vegas from Texarkana during second grade and both my parents worked in the industry. Over the years my mother moved into the legal field, but my dad stayed in gaming. He worked in several operational roles, from VIP services to slots, route operations and beverage. He always had great stories to tell, and my impression of the industry was always positive.
Over the course of my career, I have continued to get more optimistic about our industry’s explosive growth across the world and willingness to accept new technology.
Did you apply for work in other industries? Do you think it was easier to find a job in gaming than other career paths?
I have never worked outside of the gaming industry. Opportunities in this industry continued to present themselves the more I leaned into exactly what my passions were.
Can you envision making a career in the gaming industry? Do you think there’s a long-term career path for you? What are your long-term goals?
Absolutely, I HAVE made a career for myself in this industry. Three and a half years ago when I founded OPTX I knew there was an opportunity to create cutting-edge software from the operator’s perspective; today, that has been proven with our rapid growth in North America.
Long-term, I hope to continue to do what I love, lead a world-class team who creates products that are always two steps ahead of the operational needs of the industry.
Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com
