This March, Borgata celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring their phenomenal female team members. Throughout the month, Borgata will be profiling associates who truly define what it means to be not only a remarkable woman, but a remarkable employee. In this post, we’re highlighting team members who work in our IT and Talent departments.
Colleen Campbell, IT Project Manager
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? I love what I do. There are always great moments during my everyday responsibilities and duties that make me feel proud and very blessed. I am very fortunate to have a perpetual feeling of career highlights.
What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a child? An actress or stunt double.
What qualities do you value in the people with whom you work? Authenticity, optimism, and enthusiasm. Service above self.
What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before? Become a certified Project Manager Professional (PMP).
Sandy Taylor, IT Systems Development Manager
What is your favorite activity in your current position and how often do you get to do it? I enjoy developing new software to help departments run more efficiently and increase revenue. I spend less than half the time working on new projects, but that’s okay.
What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a child? The first career I can think of is a professional tennis player.
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? I have volunteered at charity walks and given blood several times. It feels good to do something to help others and meet new team members.
How many years have you been at Borgata? I have been at Borgata for eight years. My best memories were working with Roseanne and Stu in the lab, developing software for the slot department.
Alex Hennessey, Manager of Talent Initiatives
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? Being a part of the team that opened Borgata. The energy was electric and the knowledge gained during those months was priceless.
What is your favorite activity in your current position and how often do you get to do it? Solution finding is my favorite activity. I absolutely love recognizing a challenge and brainstorming with our team on a resolution that not only solves the issue, but has the ability to streamline processes to elevate productivity. I’m lucky enough to do this multiple times a week.
What is the one piece of advice you received which has changed your life? To push fear aside. Early on in my career, I had a boss that once said to me, “I’d rather see you with bumps and bruises on your forehead than tread marks on your back,” meaning that whatever you’re facing, take it head on. Don’t let it or anyone else run you over.
What qualities do you value in the people with whom you work? I love working with others that supply strength that will elevate the overall project with their skills, knowledge, and drive for success.
Dena Ferone, Community Engagement Manager
What is your favorite activity in your current position and how often do you get to do it? My favorite part is that I am required to interact with every single team member here at Borgata. I love people and I truly love helping people. Every day I get to meet and learn about team members all across the company in every department, doing all different jobs.
What is your definition of success? For me, I believe success is self-love, self-respect, and genuine happiness. I do not believe that there is one level of success but instead I see it as something we are constantly working on throughout our entire lives.
Who is someone you really admire? I met Emma several years ago because she was an 18-year-old youth who was homeless and sleeping out of her car for months while working two jobs and attending Stockton University. Emma was scared to confide in anyone about the situation she was facing until a professor figured it out and contacted the homeless youth crisis shelter I supervised. At such a young age, Emma is very aware of what fear, neglect, and the lack of love or nurturing can do to a person, but she never allowed that to define her. Emma graduated from Stockton with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and she continued her education and also obstained a Master’s. She the not only got accepted into Princeton University for her Doctor in Art Therapy, but received a full scholarship, including housing!
Kathy Mick, Director of Team Member Communications
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? Being on the opening team at Borgata was an amazing experience. I was able to help set the tone for us becoming the best in the market and what employees could expect from us.
What is your definition of success? Several things: doing the right thing, even when no one is watching; seeing a project through from beginning to end; and having a good work/home life balance.
If someone were to play you in a movie, who would you want it to be? Melissa McCarthy!
How many years have you been at Borgata? 17 years. My favorite memory is visiting the building for the first time and seeing the final phases of the building and finishing touches.
Karen Brundage-Johnson, Director of Employee Training & Development
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? I am very proud of my career at Borgata and the contributions I have been able to make to our company in 15 years. I’m also proud to have received support from Signe Huff, Vice President of Talent, and former colleague Eric Reynolds, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, when I was inducted into the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2010.
What is your definition of success? It comes from one of my favorite authors, Dr. Maya Angelou: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a child? I dreamed of being an attorney. I think working in Human Resources is closely aligned with the legal profession.
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? I am a member of the Atlantic County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sority, Inc., where I volunteer with the sorority’s publicity and scholarship fundraising activities. I also volunteer at the Absecon Lighthouse, Field of Dreams, and as a career day guest speaker to elementary and middle school students hosted by the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame.