This week, prominent firms in the prediction market sector made headlines by announcing strategic hires, reinforcing their commitment to growth in this expanding arena. Each week, SBC Americas highlights the latest appointments and promotions shaping North America's gaming industry.
**Underdog Welcomes Noah Zingler-Sternig**
Underdog has bolstered its entrance into the prediction market space with the hiring of Noah Zingler-Sternig, a former executive at Kalshi, who will serve as its director of markets. Zingler-Sternig expressed enthusiasm about his new role on social media, stating, "I just started work at @Underdog where I will be building the best exchange for sports fans. Opportunities in prediction markets are incredibly wide, and the decision on where I wanted to work next was easy. The companies that will define this space long-term are the ones that know how to navigate changing regulatory structures, have a genuine obsession with building great products, backed by a record of doing so, and have a user base that already trusts them. Underdog hits all three markers, and I'd argue no one surpasses the company in any of the three categories."
Prior to joining Underdog, Zingler-Sternig led operations at Kalshi. He also founded 5c(c) Capital, a venture capital firm focused on prediction markets, which aims to raise $35 million for investment in emerging companies within this field. Notably, the firm has garnered support from Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour and Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan. Additionally, Zingler-Sternig is a partner at UFO Holdings, a New York-based investment firm.
**High Roller Technologies Appoints Thomas Scaria**
On Wednesday, High Roller Technologies announced the appointment of Thomas Scaria as its first chief product officer. This newly created position reflects High Roller’s ambition to expand its footprint in the U.S. prediction market arena.
High Roller’s CEO Seth Young noted, "Thomas brings a rare combination of product leadership, financial market expertise, technical understanding, and entrepreneurial experience that is highly relevant to the next phase of High Roller’s growth. As we advance toward the launch of the ROLR prediction markets platform domestically and internationally, disciplined product strategy and execution will be critical. The creation of the chief product officer position reflects that priority, and we are pleased to welcome Thomas to our leadership team." In his new role, Scaria will oversee the company’s domestic and international prediction market operations, ensuring compliance through all channels.
Before his role at High Roller, Scaria spent nearly six years as the CEO and founder of blockchain-focused asset management firm Lore. His extensive experience also includes positions at Polychain Capital and Wyre, a financial services company.
**Polymarket Adds Travis VanderZanden**
Polymarket also expanded its leadership team this week with the hiring of Travis VanderZanden as chief growth officer. CEO Shayne Coplan welcomed him on social media, stating, "When it comes to growing marketplaces, nobody does it better. This time with software instead of hardware. Welcome to the team."
VanderZanden shared his excitement for the new role, emphasizing, "Most people still think of prediction markets as a place to trade on elections or sports. IMO that’s the smallest version of what this becomes. Every price on Polymarket is a question the world actually wants to know the answer to."
His career includes key roles as chief operating officer at Lyft and vice president of global driver growth at Uber. In 2017, VanderZanden founded Bird Global, Inc., a micromobility company, serving as chairman for over six years.
**Mohegan Promotes Kristi Hanney**
On Monday, Mohegan announced the promotion of Kristi Hanney to vice president, deputy general counsel, advancing from her previous role as senior corporate counsel. In her new position, Hanney will oversee the operations of Mohegan's legal department and support legal initiatives across the company’s diverse portfolio.
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel Joseph Lobe remarked, "Kristi has been a major part of our legal team and a trusted advisor on some of the most important transactions in Mohegan's recent history. Her leadership, expertise, and collaborative approach have been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to recognize her contributions and look forward to her continued impact now as vice president, deputy general counsel." Hanney's legal background also includes experience at Louden Legal Group and Mariani Reck Lane.
