Recognize Your Personal Mentor by Supporting Kick Up Your Heels in their Honor 

 

Global Gaming Women plays a critical role in the development of industry women by supporting their professional development through numerous educational and training opportunities, and we also recognize the significant impact that personal mentors have on our professional careers and personal development. If your individual career has benefitted from the guidance of a important mentor, you can "pay it forward" by supporting GGW through a Kick Up Your Heels Platform Sponsorship made in their honor. 

All sponsorships made in honor of a personal mentor will be featured on the Kick Up Your Heels website and marketing materials, and we'll also continue to recognize their lasting impact by include a brief description of the role they played in your professional career on a separate page featured on the GGW site. 


2017 Platform Sponsorship Honorees

Mike Ensign, who encouraged others to reach beyond their own expectations. 
Recognized by Yvette and Ellis Landau in his memory
It is my honor to make this contribution in memory of Mike Ensign.  He was truly a remarkable man - starting in the industry as a slot technician and ending his career as the chairman and CEO of a publicly traded gaming company with 17 casino resorts and over 45,000 employees.  Along the way, he gave many individuals the opportunity to reach their full potential.  He was generous with his time and knowledge, always willing to provide encouragement and advice.  It is especially fitting that this donation - which will help women rise to their full potential – be made in his memory.

Bob Faiss
Recognized by Ellen Whittemore, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Stan Fulton
Recognized by Patricia Becker, President, Becker & Associates
Stan Fulton, a legend and pioneer in the gaming industry, and extraordinary philanthropist, taught me important life lessons though the years including teaching me about philanthropy and giving back inspiring me to give back including creating the Kick Up Your Heels event to support women in the gaming industry.  In recognition for all I have learned from my friend Stan, it is my privilege to recognize and thank him here.  Stan came into my life on two occasions: the first through business and the second through education.  I first met Stan after his company, Anchor Gaming, purchased Video Lottery Technology (VLT), and he kept me on as Chair of the Compliance Committee, my role at VLT prior to Stan’s acquisition of the company.  Six months after the acquisition, Stan called me into his office and explained he could hire someone else to Chair the Compliance Committee for a lot less money.  I gathered every ounce of self confidence I could muster and responded it was true, he could hire someone for less money, but not anyone as good as I was.  He laughed, I kept a much needed job, and we became professional colleagues.  Then, probably 10 years later, Stan asked me to lunch.  He had committed millions of dollars to UNLV and the International Gaming Institute (IGI) and asked that I take the role of Executive Director at the IGI and run it as a business.  He generously added additional funding to his prior commitment to the University and negotiated with the University so I would receive compensation that reflected my depth of experience and value.  My first business experience negotiating salary with him led Stan to negotiate on my behalf for this business role at the University.

Philanthropy is important to our society as a whole.  Sticking up for oneself is also important.  Stan was influential to me on both counts. 

Patricia Becker, Yvette Landau, Ellen Whittemore & Michelle Chatigny
Recognized by Geri Rumbolz
With this sponsorship, I want to recognize Patty Becker, Yvette Landau, Ellen Whittemore and Michelle Chatigny, for their remarkable accomplishments, both professionally and personally.  Their respective successes are primarily a result of individual effort, perseverance and extraordinary work ethic; and I have tremendous admiration for all they continue to achieve.  My association with each one of these remarkable women originated in the gaming industry, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have called these intelligent, exceptional women close friends for well over 25 years.