Page 8 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Fall, 2026

Lori Beth Susman (second from right) receives the
Say Her Name Award during the inaugural We See You:
Women Leading Gulf Coast Gaming brunch. Presenting
the award to Susman are (from left) Women Leading Gulf
Coast Gaming founders Cathy Beeding, LuAnn Pappas
and Angi Truebner-Webb.
Women Leading Gaming holds inaugural event
GULF COAST — A new regional
professional networks
leadership initiative, We See You: Women
and advocate for one
Leading Gulf Coast Gaming, launched in
another. Ellis, a gaming
June with an inaugural brunch at Silver
and hospitality veteran
Slipper Casino Hotel. The event brought
with more than 30 years
together nearly 100 female executives,
of industry experience,
directors, managers, and emerging leaders
most recently served
from casino and hospitality organizations
as senior vice president
across Mississippi and Louisiana to
of casino marketing for
celebrate leadership while fostering
Caesars Entertainment.
recognition, mentorship, visibility, and
Gulf Coast gaming
connection.
executive Duncan
Founded by LuAnn Pappas, CEO of
McKenzie also addressed
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort; Cathy
attendees, encouraging
Beeding, president and general manager
the women to strive for
of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in
more in whatever they do.
New Orleans; and Angi Truebner-Webb,
McKenzie participated in
vice president and general manager of
a panel discussion with
Silver Slipper, We See You was created to
Pappas, Beeding and
celebrate the women already leading across
Truebner-Webb, with Ellis serving as emcee.
Gulf Coast gaming while
During the brunch,
helping open doors for the
two awards were
next generation of female
presented and a third
leaders.
was introduced. The Say
“Women across Gulf
Her Name Award, which
Coast gaming are leading
recognizes women who
teams, building businesses,
use their voice, influence
mentoring others, solving
and relationships to
problems, and shaping the
elevate others and
guest experience every
ensure women are seen,
day,” said Truebner-Webb.
heard and considered
“This event was created
for opportunities, was
to say very clearly, ‘We
presented to Lori Beth
see you, we value you, and
Susman, executive editor
we want to help create
and general manager
stronger connections across our industry.’
of Mississippi Gaming News and Jackpot!
What started as an idea became a room
magazine.
filled with connection, inspiration, and
Presenting the award, Pappas said that
celebration. Seeing women from across
throughout Susman’s more than 30-year
Mississippi and Louisiana come together to
career, she has become one of Mississippi
support one another was something I will
gaming’s most respected storytellers and
never forget.”
advocates, helping shine a spotlight on the
Keynote speaker Brandi Ellis, vice
people, organizations and initiatives that
president of Global Gaming Women, a
continue to shape the industry.
national organization focused on supporting,
The Rising Wave Award was presented
educating, and advancing women in gaming,
to LaShonda Matlock, regional social
encouraged attendees to build strong
media manager for PENN Entertainment’s
LuAnn Pappas shares details
of the Karen Sock Legacy
Award, named in honor of the
gaming executive who passed
away in April.
Mississippi properties,
including Hollywood
Casino Tunica and 1st
Jackpot Casino Tunica.
The award recognizes
an emerging leader
whose initiative,
leadership and
LaShonda
Matlock
commitment to
inclusion are already helping shape the
future of the gaming industry. Matlock was
recognized for her advocacy, professional
development efforts and dedication
to creating opportunities for women
throughout gaming.
Additionally, the Karen Sock Legacy
Award was introduced and will become
an annual tradition beginning in 2027.
This award will honor a woman whose
leadership, mentorship, service and
dedication embody the values represented
throughout the life and career of Sock, a
gaming executive and the first Black female
casino general manager, who passed away
in April.
Organizers hope the inaugural gathering
becomes an annual tradition for the Gulf
Coast gaming community.
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