ences ,” she says , noting that the hospitality industry often intersects with the travel and tourism industry , and is also known for providing a clear career progression path with a global presence .
She also thrives in an environment where no two days are alike . “ Both the hospitality and casino resort industry are dynamic and fast-paced , which keeps the center of my work exciting while adapting to an ever-changing , progressive business ,” she says .
During Covid-19 , Jerrytone turned a negative into something positive for her career . “ I doubled down on fulfilling an education goal with the generous support of tuition reimbursement benefits provided by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians ,” she says . “ I completed my MBA in global business at the University of Redlands .”
Jerrytone has a prescription for relaxation techniques . “ Be as present as possible , disconnect from technology , and travel , of course .”
While many people paved the way for Jerrytone ’ s career , her family gets a lot of credit . “ I ’ m grateful for the values they have instilled with an inspirational moral compass , commitment to excellence , a growth mindset and endless encouragement .”
But there are others who have contributed to Jerrytone ’ s growth and development , through expertise , sharing and learned lessons that have motivated her to reach new heights . A small sampling includes Erica Tessier Hunt , vice president of corporate marketing at Mohegan Sun ; Paul Athey , business owner ; Sean Schickedanz , vice president of casino marketing , Caesars Entertainment Corporation ; and Peter Arceo , chief gaming officer , SMBMI .
No resting on laurels for Jerrytone . She expects to play an integral role that contributes to her success and growth alongside high-performing teams over the next five years “ to move forward significantly while positively impacting others as a lifelong learner committed to personal and professional development .”
Looking back on her career arc , Jerrytone does not regret decisions she ’ s made along the way .
“ I ’ m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason , and what you put in is what you will get out . Therefore , I would not have done anything differently , as I have yielded immeasurable , best-inclass experiences by way of hard work and enthusiastic dedication .” — Bill Sokolic
Growing by Design
Christmas Uberuaga
Vice President , UberWins Studio , Aristocrat Gaming
After more than 15 years of experience creating games for the slot industry , Christmas Uberuaga knows it takes a lot more than luck to become a successful game designer . With so many popular games already on the market , designers have to get creative to stand out .
“ There is an infinite number of ways to make an 87 percent RTP game ,” Uberuaga explains . “ Being able to put the math together to create a hit game is an art . It takes many years of practice and great mentorship to get it right .”
Uberuaga has proven her abilities by developing a variety of successful and award-winning products since she first became part of the Aristocrat team in 2015 . Her contributions include Liberty Link Stepper , Cash Express Luxury Line , and Buffalo Diamond , which is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary . Her passion for creating games that excite players inspired Uberuaga to found her own studio at Aristocrat , UberWins , in January 2021 .
“ Being able to put the math together to create a hit game is an art . It takes many years of practice and great mentorship to get it right .”
“ It ’ s not a level that I thought I would ever achieve , but I ’ m very happy that I took the leap ,” she says . With her team of talented designers and developers , Uberuaga has maintained her winning streak . UberWins Studio ’ s first game , Coin Trio-Piggy Burst , debuted at No . 2 on Eilers & Krejcik Gaming ’ s October 2022 Game Performance Report for new core , video reel games .
When it comes to learning game design , Uberuaga believes there is no substitute for years of practice under the guidance of excellent mentors .
“ I was born into a sea of game design talent where I was able to learn from the best and gain an understanding of what gaming was all about ,” she explains . Uberuaga credits several mentors for giving her opportunities to succeed as her career grew .
“ Paulina Rogers brought me into the business , and I can ’ t thank her enough ,” Uberuaga says . “ Joe Kaminkow has been a champion for me ; he pushed me into the deep end and let me show everyone that I could swim . My most recent mentor , Allon Englman , has been pivotal in helping me learn to run a studio of my own and to focus on what ’ s really important .”
Uberuaga also lauds Aristocrat for providing a supportive environment for its budding designers .
“ There are many courses and training available for anything that makes you better at your job ,” she explains . “ It really feels like everyone here wants you to succeed , and they are willing to help you in any way they can .”
With over a decade of valuable experience under her belt , Uberuaga is now able to give back as a mentor to other designers working their way up .
“ I try to take time to listen and help anyone that comes my way ,” she says . “ I have mentored a few people that asked , and I have pushed and fought for others to take leadership roles because I saw great potential in them .” Now that her own design studio is off the ground , Uberuaga is looking forward to the future . “ I ’ m excited to get more games out into the field and to see how they perform ,” she says . “ Seeing your games on the floor is exciting , and the more titles you put out , the better chance you have of one of them being a success . Watching players enjoying your game is the ultimate reward .” — Rae Berkley , The Innovation Group
AUGUST 2023 www . ggbmagazine . com 35