The annual iGB Most Influential Women campaign highlights the invaluable contributions women make to the gaming sector, celebrating their achievements and the progress they inspire.
Melanie Ellis, a partner at Northridge Law and a judge for this year’s campaign, emphasizes the importance of recognizing diverse achievements, particularly in fields like compliance and product development. With two decades of experience in gaming, she has witnessed cultural shifts but notes that gender parity is still a goal yet to be fully realized. Ellis believes initiatives like Most Influential Women are crucial in celebrating achievements and showcasing role models in the industry. "At conferences, the majority are still men in suits. We have come a long way, but initiatives that spotlight women are vital," she said.
This year, iGB recognized the first four winners of the Most Influential Women 2026 campaign:
**Anika Howard**
*President and CEO, Wondr Nation*
Anika Howard holds the position of president and CEO at Wondr Nation, expressing her surprise and joy at being awarded a Most Influential Women title. "I’ve been deeply focused this year on exciting projects, but this recognition is heartening as I truly love this industry," she revealed.
Howard credits an early opportunity at Harrah’s Entertainment with shaping her career, as it provided her with visibility and access usually unavailable to a young professional. "It planted the seed in my head that anything’s possible in this industry," she stated.
As the first interactive hire at Caesars, she played a key role in developing early player-facing digital experiences. Howard now leads Wondr Nation, viewing the tribal gaming market as ripe with potential. She aims to launch a 10,000-square-foot Wondr Nation innovation center in November to support entrepreneurs and creators.
"I want to help others become the next disruptors, fostering opportunities for them," she declared. Howard underscores the importance of visibility for women in the industry, terming awards as necessary tools for enhancing diversity and inclusion.
"These initiatives give visibility to what women are achieving, allowing others to see what's possible," she explained.
Her advice to aspiring leaders centers on building a supportive community and being open to taking risks.
**Brett Abarbanel**
*Executive Director, UNLV's International Gaming Institute*
Brett Abarbanel, executive director of the International Gaming Institute at UNLV, has over twenty years of experience in gaming. She finds it flattering to be included among this year's Most Influential Women and reflects on her journey from Del Mar racetrack to a leading academic role in gaming.
"Being considered for this recognition requires looking internally about how to extend my impact beyond my past contributions," Abarbanel shared. Her path to gaming began with a keen interest in mathematical probability and a chance meeting that led her to Las Vegas two decades ago.
Under Abarbanel's leadership, IGI has expanded its reach, focusing on research, education on responsible gaming, and tech development for students. "Games should be fun for everyone," she states, emphasizing enjoyable experiences in all her initiatives.
Abarbanel plans to adapt IGI’s leadership curriculum for the video games and esports markets while participating in the UEFA Academy's Fight the Fix program on sports integrity. She views industry awards as vital for visibility and recognizing accomplishments, noting that while progress has been made in diversity, further effort is necessary. Her advice for aspiring professionals is simple: be true to oneself and recognize that personal development is an ongoing journey.
**Brittany Dale**
*Director of Business Transformation and Programme Delivery, iGaming Ontario*
Brittany Dale has established herself at the forefront of Canada’s regulated online gaming market through her role at iGaming Ontario. Recognized as one of the Most Influential Women 2026, she finds the honor particularly meaningful for both her personal journey and the growth of the sector.
"Throughout my career, I’ve focused on solving complex problems and bringing diverse groups together," Dale said, highlighting her work with IGO to implement technology-enabled solutions for the regulated market. One notable project is BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion system launched in May 2023.
Dale is committed to enhancing infrastructure that benefits not just her agency but the broader ecosystem. Looking ahead, she aims to modernize data analytics and strengthen market oversight. Regarding the industry's diversity and inclusion, she acknowledges the strides made in Ontario while asserting that there is still more work to do in recognizing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Her approach centers on collaboration and creating opportunities for growth within IGO to nurture future leaders.
**Brooke Thomas**
*VP of People and Opportunities, Hard Rock International*
Brooke Thomas describes her selection as one of iGB's Most Influential Women 2026 as a shared recognition of the community around her. As VP of People and Opportunities at Hard Rock International, she is committed to lifting others within the gaming industry.
From a legal background, Thomas transitioned into gaming, drawn by the industry’s sense of community. She co-founded LGBTQ+ in Gaming to foster connections among LGBTQ+ professionals and advocates.
Through regional events, she seeks to expand outreach, especially to less established gaming markets. "The community has provided me with grounding," she explained, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe space for all individuals in gaming.
Recognition through awards serves to challenge norms and inspire others, she noted, reinforcing that diversity and inclusion should be continuously nurtured. Thomas advises aspiring women to seek constructive feedback and focus on creating an inclusive, supportive environment for future gaming professionals.
iGB extends gratitude to the judging panel for their invaluable contributions to this year’s Most Influential Women 2026 campaign.
