In this energizing episode of Next Level Careers, Alayna Thomas of Magnet Culture shares strategies for building high-performing teams by hiring people who complement your strengths and fill critical gaps. She emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with individuals who think differently, offering fresh perspectives. Whether you're leading a team or growing your career, Alayna’s insights offer a roadmap for creating dynamic, balanced workplaces where diverse talents thrive.
Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur and serves as the Chairman of VaynerX, the CEO of VaynerMedia and Creator/CEO of VeeFriends. In this special episode Gary speaks about his career story, tips on how to create long lasting partnerships, how to use intuition to maximize success, overcoming adversity, and much more! This episode was filmed at Yaamava' Resort and Casino at San Manuel in front of a live audience of team members.
Siobhan Lane, Chief Executive Officer of Gaming at Light & Wonder, shares her journey and leadership insights from over 18 years in the gaming industry. With deep expertise in strategic planning, financial and operational management, and talent development, Siobhan dives into what it takes to be an effective communicator and leader. She explores the power of company culture, the art of building and nurturing high-performing teams, and why embracing discomfort can help with personal and professional growth.
Kristy Neick, Director of Sales at Cox Media, brings 25 years of experience in sales and marketing within the media industry. In this episode, Kristy shares her insights on navigating career pivots, turning setbacks into setups for future success, the value of hard work, strategies for building a strong team culture, and practical advice for those going through the interview process.
Linchul Shin, Director of Player Development at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel, brings 15 years of expertise in casino marketing and the food and beverage industry. Linchul shares powerful insights on the art of personalized service, building a genuinely caring and engaged team culture, and the value of seeking mentorship beyond your immediate circle and the role of patience in professional growth.
Erik Moses, CEO & Executive Director at Fiesta SportsFoundation, is an accomplished executive leader and attorney with over 25 years of experience in sports, entertainment, live events, and hospitality. In this episode, Erik shares his insights on the importance of integrity and trust, the art of building strong partnerships, the significance of organizational culture, and the keys to creating a successful team.
Chase Lane, Chief Executive Officer at LT, brings over a decade of strategic leadership experience, having worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and private enterprises. He has a diverse background and extensive expertise in driving business strategy in industries such as higher education, casino gaming, government, and non-profits. In this episode, Chase shares his insights on navigating career pivots, establishing and maintaining your core values, the evolving role of AI in marketing and advertising, and the importance of being willing to put in the work.
Crystal Robinson, VP of Entertainment & Activation at Palms Casino Resort, brings over 22 years of experience in marketing, special events, and entertainment. In this episode, she shares insights on mentorship, the importance of being open and present, how to pivot in your career and navigate big changes, and tips for creating a fun work environment.
Eric Lohman, General Manager at Monarch Beach Golf Links, brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a focus on membership relations, customer service, and golf-related sales and marketing. In this episode, Eric shares his insights on the importance of great mentors, staying motivated, paying your dues, and his thoughts on the future trends of the golf industry.
Jennifer Marelia, Director of Brand Partnerships at iHeartMedia, brings over 24 years of experience in partnerships, sales, marketing, and client relationships. In this episode, she shares insights on the keys to creating successful partnerships, how radio has evolved and stayed relevant, what to look for when hiring, and the key traits of successful leaders.
Kyle Anderson, Vice President of Property Marketing at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel, shares insights from his 14 years of experience in the casino marketing industry. In this episode, Kyle discusses the common characteristics of successful leaders, the creative process behind developing casino promotions, how to set goals and work backward to achieve them, and offers tips for maintaining work-life harmony.
Diana Hyde, SVP of Global Learning and Development at Burson, brings over 24 years of experience in leadership and coaching, human resources, educational non-profits, higher education, advertising and wealth management. In this episode, Diana discusses the top qualities of a leader, how leadership has changed and evolved, advice for people looking to make a career change, and advice for people seeking a coach or mentor.
Tim Evans, Deputy General Counsel at the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, shares insights from over 20 years of experience in the legal industry. In this episode, Tim discusses what motivated him to pursue a career in law, what continues to fuel his passion for the field, advice for those interested in a legal career, essential skills for success, and the importance of hard work.
Jessica Stops, Vice President of Tribal Brand Marketing & Strategic Philanthropy at the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, shares insights from her over 22 years of experience in marketing, strategic communications, and partnerships. In this episode, Jessica explains what Tribal Brand Marketing is, discusses the value of finding good business partners, highlights the key to building a successful team, and emphasizes the importance of cultivating relationships.
Jo McGinley, Speaking Coach, with over 30 years of experience Jo has coached Peak Performers, including Olympic Athletes and their coaches, musicians, Oscar Nominees, and leaders in healthcare, tech, and financial services to improve performance and increase communication confidence. In this episode, Jo shares her insights on how to change your thought process when presenting, how to prepare for a presentation, the importance of being a good listener, and having a “yes, and” mentality when communicating.
Jonathan Murtaugh, Senior Vice President of Client Services at VaynerMedia, brings over 22 years of experience in marketing, branding, technology, social media, sales, and client services, including more than 5 years at Facebook. In this episode, he shares insights from his career journey, the value of recommendations, the evolution of social media from being people-focused to interest-driven, creating value, and the significance of a "people-first" culture in leadership.
Keith Alexander, the Fire Chief at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Fire Department, brings over 36 years of experience in the fire service industry with 23 of those years spent at San Manuel. In this episode, Keith shares his insights on the importance of hiring good people and seeking professional training in your field, innovations in fire safety and equipment, ways to handle conflict, and navigating high-pressure situations.
Sara Murray, Sales Coach, Author, Speaker and Podcast Host, brings over 15 years of experience in sales and currently coaches and speaks about sales methods that help with connecting with clients and communicating with confidence. In this episode, Sara shares her advice for building a communication skill set, tips on how to differentiate yourself from others, establishing ways to add value for people without asking for anything in return, and the importance of self-awareness.
Andrew Burke, the Chief Executive Officer at Bluberi, brings over 18 years in the gaming and private equity sectors, including a significant stint of 9 years with American Gaming Systems (AGS). In this episode, Andrew discusses the importance of developing solutions that address specific pain points, the invaluable role of feedback from clients, the importance of building a high-quality team and the factors that fuel creative inspiration.
Christopher Justice, former Chief Executive Officer at Pavilion Payments, has over 29 years of experience as an executive leader and board member in information technology, payment systems, and strategy development. In this episode, Chris discusses his experience with making career pivots, what he looks for in building a team, the added value of payment systems, strategic planning and how to stay ahead.
