Find Your Personal Board of Directors

In 2013, I was the vice president and assistant general manager at our Horseshoe Hammond property in Indiana. At that time, I was asked to pilot one of the first “Lean In” circles for Caesars Entertainment. While I was familiar with the concept of “Lean In” and had a surface-level of understanding about what the gathering would entail—a small group of individuals who meet regularly to learn from each other’s experiences as part of an effort to advance their career development—I didn’t realize how vital it would be for my own career path.

Six years later, I can safely say that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for this group of women. Not only have they become some of my closest confidants, friends, and avid supporters, they are my most honest and critical advisors—a personal board of directors. This diverse group of women has become my go-to for honest feedback, critique, and guidance.

Through this experience, I learned the value of candid feedback among peers. Whether it’s sharing our failures, so others can learn from them, or celebrating our wins, so others may emulate our path, this authentic guidance has been essential in my long career at Caesars Entertainment.

They have been the push and pull as I took on new opportunities, like leaving my position as general manager at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in 2016 to take on the challenging role of senior vice president and general manager at Horseshoe Baltimore.

While many speak of mentorship as one of the key drivers for building a pipeline of successful women, I believe this can only get you so far. Mentorship can help you get a seat at the table, but having a solid network of like-minded individuals in your corner can help you stand up, speak, and thrive.

My advice for other women starting out is to find your personal board of directors, learn and grow from your mistakes, and share what you’ve learned with others. Finally, say yes to opportunities that scare you—a new job, a new group. If you’re not a little scared, you’re probably not challenged enough. Looking for opportunities to overcome your fears and step out of your comfort zone will help you advance, both in your career and in life.