Within the past several years, Kim has earned numerous accolades for her leadership and legal acumen —including, most recently, as one of iGB’s Most Influential Women in 2022. But to me, Kim’s success extends beyond her professional accomplishments (of which there is no shortage!) and includes the impact she makes on everyone with whom she works. She infuses authenticity in all that she does—from mentoring and sponsoring others to shifting between professional and personal goals to seeking guidance from her greatest sources of inspiration.
I am grateful that our worlds collided in Chicago while Kim was just beginning her career in law before she made her foray into the world of gaming. She currently serves as the executive vice president and chief legal officer at Bally’s Corporation, where she oversees the global Legal, Compliance, and Public Affairs teams and supports the company's strategic initiatives. I was especially excited to welcome her to our most recent edition of “Let’s Talk,” where we discussed her career journey, the ambition and work ethic she adopted early on from her mom, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Think expansively and inclusively
Kim was appointed by International Gaming Technology PLC (IGT) as its inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at a time when the gaming industry was starting to take meaningful action on these issues. Kim shared with us what she called an “awakening” that fueled her leadership in this space. She recognized the demographics of player bases, communities, and workplaces were changing and saw an opportunity for the gaming industry to mirror this change.
“I saw that we could harness DEI as our strength and align ourselves better with the communities we live in.”
Embracing this call to action, Kim says the first step was gathering data that better informed the industry’s perspective on the demographic it serves. Over the past several years, Kim has seen DEI provide a critical piece of data in determining how the industry views its future.
Stay agile
When I asked Kim about striking that delicate work-life balance, she described the balance as more of a shift.
“I don’t think balance exists; I think stages and management exist,”
That shift, she says, is ever-changing based on what’s happening in your life at any given moment—whether it’s raising children, pursuing a career change, or reorienting your relationships with friends and family. It’s also important, she says, to have a personal board of directors intact after work, so you can cry in peace if that’s what it takes.
Seek mentorship and sponsorship
I was curious to hear about the people that have supported and inspired Kim throughout her own career. For Kim, collecting mentors is an ongoing process. She notes the many relationships that transformed into mentorships as she progressed in her work, as well as the sponsors that helped shepherd her success.
“A mentor guides and coaches you, while a sponsor stands up for you when you’re not in a room and seeks out new opportunities for your growth.”
Kim says sponsorships and mentorships are about investing in relationships, seeking different points of view, understanding the aspirations of others, and serving as a mirror so others can see the best reflection of themselves.
Know the “power of your vibe”
To Kim, knowing the power of your vibe means leading with authority authentic to who you are and how you approach your personal and professional relationships. There can be a tendency for women to feel as though they must conform to certain expectations in the workplace. Transcending these perceived expectations by being bold, asking questions, embracing your quirks, and maintaining a strong network that challenges and guides you is key for women navigating a path to leadership.