of public health ,” she notes . Many wondered not just how , but if , that was going to work .
After proving it did , Doura-Schawohl was brought on as legislative director at NCPG , where she continued to advance the need alongside her career in responsible gaming . There she found a mentor in Executive Director Keith Whyte .
“ He took a chance when he made me the first-ever legislative director in the organization ’ s nearly 50-year history ,” she says , “ and he encouraged me like no one else .”
Whyte gave her the platform and encouragement to utilize her voice , believe in herself , take chances , and take problem gambling and responsible gaming policy to levels never before seen . After two years of successful collaboration and issues advancement , Doura-Schawohl departed to become vice president of U . S . policy and strategic development for the international responsible gambling consultancy group EPIC Risk Management .
At EPIC , her priority was to address the disparity of programs to identify and prevent gambling addiction in the U . S . “ Gambling disorder is one of the few addictions that doesn ’ t get addressed by the federal government in a substantive way ,” she says , “ and for the first time maybe ever , the industry was really starting to feel the impact and effects of that .” A desire to focus more heavily on policy-centric work served as the impetus to opening her own firm , and with that came more skepticism . While problem gambling and responsible gaming had become a more understood and accepted piece of industry operations since Doura-Schawohl came to the work nearly a decade earlier , doubt remained about the ability to build a business around it .
But she was excited to champion this public health issue “ under her own shingle ,” and she is not easily deterred or intimidated . Because she has been so heavily involved in the crafting of responsible gambling policy and regulations , it ’ s been a natural evolution to help the industry navigate those from the other side . It ’ s also important to her to make the concept of responsible gaming accessible , to help the industry understand where and how it fits at all levels .
“ I don ’ t want to sit exclusively on conference panels about responsible gambling programs , talking to the same dozen people who have cared about this issue for years ,” says Doura-Schawhol . “ I want to mix things up . Put me in the ‘ in-game play ’ discussion ; let me help those people understand why this should matter to them .”
The single greatest impact on her career to date ? Pushing those skeptics aside . “ Deciding to gamble on myself and launch my own firm has allowed me the freedom and opportunity to create the career I desire ,” she says . “ It ’ s elevated my ability to make an even greater impact on protecting customers and the industry , all while affording me the space to prioritize my family .”
In addition to her incredible moves in gaming , Doura- Schawhol is an active-duty military spouse , mother of two , and a volunteer advocate for special-needs children and their families , like her own . — Keli Elkins is director of strategic communications for The Innovation Group
Two-Time Winner
Diego Mejia
Sales Manager , Casino and Gaming , TransAct Technologies Inc .
It ’ s not unusual to leave a company for greener pastures only to return later . But to do it twice may seem a tad out of the ordinary . But not for Diego Mejia . He not only performed that feat but worked for Tesla in between .
Mejia ’ s twofers hark back to his entrée into the gambling industry . After graduating from Universidad de San Buenaventura in his native Colombia with a bachelor of applied science , electrical and electronics engineering in 2006 , he obtained a position with JCM Global as an international service technician . JCM had a commercial distribution agreement with TransAct Technologies .
“ Because of the relationship between the two companies , I learned about TransAct products ,” he says . When the commercial agreement ended , TransAct offered Mejia a job . “ I was more involved with global markets , including Europe , Asia , and the local U . S . market ,” he says , “ but I also took care of Latin America . This exposure gave me the experience of managing multiple accounts . I was able to interact directly with high-end customers .”
Mejia ’ s role gravitated from a technical one to a commercial one , assisting product sales at TransAct . When a position opened up in sales at JCM , he returned . “ This made total sense since I knew the industry , I knew the product , I knew the work culture , I knew the customers . It was an excellent opportunity to prove myself in sales ,” he says .
He broke a sales record for his region and was able to make the top three in sales for two consecutive years . Then came Covid-19 . The lockdown crimped Mejia from — as he put it — having fun performing his job . “ It was time to try , once again , something completely different in a different industry .”
Enter Tesla , where he was hired as a business analyst for the energy commercial team . This was a very challenging and compromising job , he says . He oversaw data analysis of different systems such as contract executions , project management and reporting .
“ But deep inside , I was missing the industry , and most importantly , the contact with customers . I realized that is what motivated me the most ,” says Mejia , who unwinds on a motorcycle . (“ A couple of hours on the bike can take the stress off and provide such tranquility and freedom .”)
TransAct brought Mejia back into the fold . His technical background and approach with customers led him to assist in trainings , presentations and expos . “ I also collaborate with engineering , with firmware development . The data analysis role I performed at Tesla allows me to automate reports , and present data to end users . With the experience that I acquired supporting global markets , I can assist customers around the world with sales or technical requests .”
Mejia tries to learn from everybody in his circle , taking a little bit from peers , customers and partners . But two stand out . “ Tracey Winslow , my current boss , is someone I admire based on her dedication , passion , knowledge and vast experience .”
Another mentor is Lou Kelly , vice president of sales at TransAct . He has been an example of an exceptional salesperson , always caring , Mejia says . “ Lou has charm , and I admire that about him . He is also a wise person , resourceful , responsive , not only towards customers and partners , but coworkers too .”
The pandemic , Mejia says , helped transform the gaming industry . Casinos realize they need more than slot machines in their venues .
“ I think the business is changing in a positive direction ,” he says . “ Casinos are now looking to become entertainment centers , always offering something captivating . We are now seeing more interest in different ways to utilize digital channels , to bring casinos to patrons . Online gaming will be even greater in the next 10 years . Sports betting is also worth mentioning . This is a tremendous source of revenue , especially now that jurisdictional approvals have been issued to many more states .”
For up-and-coming product developers , Mejia recommends they listen to those … in the field . Designing and maintaining something useful and reliable is the most important thing you can do , he says . “ When engineers use market feedback and are humble enough to work based on that , and not only based on their own way of thinking , superior products can be produced .” — Bill Sokolic
APRIL 2023 www . ggbmagazine . com 37