Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGHA) has welcomed two new directors to its board - David Ronson MD of Aristocrat, and Alison Smith, Group Executive External Affairs at The Star Entertainment Group.
In addition, Christie Roser, Chief People and Culture Officer at Aristocrat will step up to the role of Chair.
WGHA CEO, Helen Galloway, said she was delighted to welcome the new board configuration and the diverse mix of experience, geographical representation and skill sets.
“I’m thrilled to welcome David and Alison, who are both passionate about empowering women working in, or looking to work in, the gaming industry in Australasia,” Galloway said after the 2019 WGHA AGM.
“David is a passionate, people-focused leader of the Aristocrat team, is based in Sydney, and has a strong focus on building a high-performance culture.
“Alison brings strong stakeholder skills to the board together with an external focus on the importance of corporate responsibility.
“Alison’s appointment also increases our board presence and representation which now runs across Auckland, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney.”
Roser, who has been with WGHA as a director since 2017, said the refreshed configuration came at an important time for the organisation.
“Our new members bring quite different skills that complement our board and will help us reenergise WGHA into the future,” she noted.
“I joined WGHA when the organisation was first set up, and I’m excited to now be stepping into a slightly different role as we build on the traction we’ve achieved so far.”
WGHA is an industry-driven not for profit organisation, focused on driving systemic change to ensure a gender inclusive industry.
Established in 2017, WGHA enables and supports organisations to deliver gender equitable outcomes and empowers individuals to reach their full potential within the industry.
Ronson said: “I have been with Aristocrat since 2010 and have always been proud to support WGHA and promote membership uptake among my team and across the industry.
“Aristocrat is committed to diversity and inclusion, and I look forward to joining the board and playing a part to help influence and impact equitable outcomes in our industry.”
Smith said: “At The Star, we know the value and importance of gender equity and inclusion, and looking to remove barriers in order to increase women’s participation in the gaming industry.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity to work with other organisations to help create an inclusive industry and drive career opportunities for the many talented women who work in this business.”
Galloway said the new appointments will work with the board as it shifts gear in 2020 with a stronger program that seeks to increase the number of female role models and reduce the number of barriers for career progression by women in the gaming and hospitality industry.
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