Ann Simmons Nicholson is President and Founder of the Simmons Group. She is recognized as an expert in Strategic Planning, Talent Management, Human Resources, Organizational Development and Training. The Simmons group has work internationally in private industry, for non-profit organizations, and government entities. Her clients such as Konami Gaming, Whole Foods, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Scientific Games, dozens of hotel casinos, schools and numerous non-profit organizations, have all benefited from Ann’s 30 plus years of experience.

Nicholson has opened, expanded, or merged 47 operations including hotel casinos, cruise ships, furniture markets, manufacturing companies and indoor water parks, providing full-service talent management consulting services. In start-ups as well as mergers and acquisitions, the Simmons Group has also been instrumental in the conceptualizing and implementing the integration of multiple people and cultures into one organizational culture

During her career, she has worked with all of the major players in the gaming industry including Caesars, Scientific Games, Harrahs, MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, Grand Casinos, Aristocrat, The Rio, M Resort, Palms & Palms Place, Mandalay Bay, and numerous Tribal Gaming Entities. Her work has included successful openings, all areas of human resources, guiding organizations through change, training and executive coaching. The unique ability to partner with clients to achieve their best outcomes in addition to being an invaluable resource to companies seeking her services have proven to be some of her greatest strengths.

An over twenty year resident of Las Vegas, Ann serves her community in a variety of ways. She is a board member for Noah’s Animal House, Communities in Schools Nevada, United Way of Southern Nevada, and an officer and board member for Global Gaming Women. She is heavily involved in Communities in Schools National, The Core Academy, Safe Nest, and the Keep it Alive Foundation among others. In addition to financial support, Ann donates scores of hours each year to numerous non-profit organizations helping them with Human Resource and training needs.

All of her consulting is designed around specific strategic and practical outcomes designated by her client.

Simmons is a graduate of Concordia College, where she earned a BA in Organization & Communications Management. She is also a Certified Human Resources Manager through the University of Minnesota Industrial Relations Center. She completed Stanford’s Executive Education Program in August 2013.