An organization that helps women advance their careers in the gaming industry observed its 10th anniversary Monday.
Global Gaming Women, an organization of 9,300 worldwide, founded and based in Las Vegas, has set a goal of growing to 10,000 in 2026 as it observes a decade of operations and works to level the gaming industry employment landscape.
The organization builds connections through education and sponsored events to grow inclusiveness and diversity among women who continue to be underrepresented in the industry.
“Our mission is to help influence and inspire the professional development of women throughout the global gaming industry,” said Siobhan Lane, the president of GGW.
Lane, who is also CEO of gaming for Light & Wonder, a Las Vegas-based gaming equipment manufacturer, heads a board of directors that guides the organization in its education, mentorship and fundraising initiatives.
“For the last 10 years, Global Gaming Women has positively influenced the lives and careers of thousands of women in the gaming industry through education, mentorship and training,” Lane said. “As we celebrate GGW’s accomplishments and journey to its current state, we are laser focused on scaling our reach and impact while developing the next generation of women in gaming.”
Fundraising for events
Launched as an independent charitable organization in 2016, GGW currently has membership in 70 countries. Last year, GGW provided more than $840,000 in educational scholarships, facilitated 14 in-person training programs across the globe and significantly grew its peer-to-peer and professional mentorship programs, Lean In Circles and OneUpOneDown.
This year, the organization is looking back at its accomplishments as well as looking forward to its goals.
This month, GGW is launching a commemorative content series, “Milestones that Moved Us,” spotlighting some of the most transformative moments and influencers in the organization’s history. Stories will be told in video interviews shared via LinkedIn.
The organization also plans to create new podcast content and host Global Gaming Expo activations that honor the organization’s legacy while amplifying its mission and engaging new and prospective members.
A new logo with new merchandise has been released by GGW with sweatshirts, T-shirts and tote bags available at a branded Global Gaming Women store.
Hundreds attend classes, networking
The organization is focusing its growth in North America, Europe and Australia this year. It’s planning seven membership events in North America this year and four each in Europe and Australia. Last year, 575 people took advantage of at least one of the organization’s 18 networking events worldwide. There were 864 members who attended a GGW class, conference or panel and 113 attended at least one of six virtual classes.
The organization develops “lean-in circles” that is like having a personal advisory board that empowers people to enhance both the personal and professional aspects of life. In 2025, there were 19 of those in North America, nine in Europe and five in Australia and New Zealand. In 2026, the organization plans a total 38 added to an existing 21. Moderators for lean-in circles prepare for them with four hours of training.
Global Gaming Women had a recent gathering at the local headquarters of Konami Gaming, an equipment manufacturing company.
Pamela Buckley leads a three-member staff from the organization’s southwest Las Vegas office.
“I would say the beauty of this position is that no day is the same,” Buckley said in an interview. “We have 10 committees that are part of GGW. So I help to facilitate and work with our different committees.”
The staff works with board members and committees to raise money, making contact with sponsors that support the mission of the group.
“Our sponsors are our champions because what it all boils down to is they provide financial support for us, but we also need their advocacy, whether it is a property, a manufacturer or a supplier. We need to ensure that they are supporting our mission and they are spreading the word within their organizations. I think that is something that is super important when it comes to our sponsors and ensuring that we’re doing the heavy lifting within our organization.
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.
