March is National Women’s History Month. Additionally, March 8, 2020 was International Women’s Day, where organizers celebrate women’s achievement and take action for equality. Throughout the month of March, Borgata will honor their female employees across all divisions on the Borgata Blog. We’re highlighting the accomplishments of our outstanding female team members, and you’ll be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes these exemplary employees part of the Borgata family. In this edition, you’ll get a look at team members from our Customer Care and Hotel Sales divisions.
Stephanie Johnston, Customer Care Team Leader
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? My proudest moment was moving quickly up the ranks to supervisor. I was a stay-at-home mom for more than 15 years and very nervous about starting a new job. I feel I’m thriving and now I’m going to school, too.
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? I’ve been a volunteer with the Scouts of America for the last 15 years. It’s taught me patience, organization, and how to overcome my fears. I’m doing things now I never thought I’d do.
If someone were to play you in a move, who would you want it to be? I’d like Melissa McCarthy to play me in a movie. I love how fun she seems, and I feel like she’d be able to capture my personality the best.
What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before? In the next year, I’m hoping to see the fruits of my labor by sending my daughter to college. She’s been very diligent about her schoolwork and stays positive. I can’t wait to see her start the next chapter in life.
Candice Hentz, Customer Care Representative
How do you feel you impact the people around you? I think I impact people with generosity. I think my giving nature is what people remember most about me.
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? I volunteer as often as I can with YAP Inc/Youth Advocacy and with Camden Youth Wrestling. I have also volunteered for many years with several breast cancer organizations. I also lend my crochet crafting for various charities whenever I am asked. I was raised in a family with generations of missionaries who believe that you can tire in positive work but never get tired of giving.
What is the one piece of advice you received which has changed your life? My grandmother said to me, “Run your own race.” I live my life at my own speed with my needs, desires, and expectations. I am so happy that I never gave anyone else the reigns to master how I live my life.
What is one thing about you that surprises others? My love of motorcycles. For some reason, people are surprised that I have loved motorcycles since I was a child, and that I love to ride.
Kira Hernandez, Specialized Services Manager
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? A few years ago, Atlantic City hosted a city wide convention for Meeting Professionals International in effort to put our city on the map for large conventions. Borgata had an opportunity to host a networking event for Choose Chicago in our Salon. With the help and support of my colleagues, from the Salon and Banquets, we transformed the space to host cocktails and hors d’oeurves, while helping women meeting planners feel beautiful.
What is your definition of success? Success is setting a goal, working hard, whether it be individually or as a team, overcoming obstacles, and completing what you set out to do. Sometimes we een surprise ourselves and exceed our own expectations.
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? I spend time volunteering with the Linwood PTO. I really like to see our community come together for our children in school. Whether I help with book fair, field day, dances, or chaperoning field trips, I enjoy being present as children are making memories that will stay with them.
Who, or what, has been your biggest teacher? Motherhood!
Cathy Michel, Senior Customer Assurance Specialist
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? The career highlight I am most proud of is working hard and becoming a Senior Customer Assurance Specialist.
What is your favorite activity in your current position and how often do you get to do it? My favorite activity is being able to turn a customer’s negative experience into a positive relationship. I am able to achieve this on a daily basis.
Who is someone you really admire? I admire my mother who is 97 years old and going strong. She taught me to be kind to people and always do your best at everything you attempt at life.
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? I volunteer mainly at Borgata for any project that I can. I think it’s important to help those who need it.
Deborah Stea, Group Dining and Events Manager
How do you feel you impact the people around you? By inspiring and motivation the people around me by positive example. I make a connection by engaging and interacting with shared knowledge, talents, and demonstrating compassion.
What is your definition of success? Simply put: to envision, plan, and prepare for goals or a goal and achieve it with integrity by being the person I aspire to be. If I can achieve what I want and be happy and respected, that is success to me.
What is one thing about you that surprises others? When I tell others that I am an amateur astronomer and an actively involved grandmother of a teenage grandson and a second younger grandson.
What qualities do you value in the people with whom you work? Admirable work ethic, setting high standards, respect, caring, and supportiveness.
Danielle Katsianis, Hotel Sales Meeting Manager
What is the career highlight you are most proud of? The career highlight I am most proud of is receiving the Chairman’s Club award for my 2019 sales performance.
What is the first career you dreamed of having as a child? Cultural anthropologist.
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? I volunteer at Borgata and at St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church. It is always a rewarding, humbling, and often times, fun experience.
Who, or what, has been your biggest teacher? My niece Gabrielle who is handicapped has taught me to appreciate and be grateful for life’s simplest blessings.
Patty Conroy, Hotel Sales Manager
What is your favorite activity in your current position and how often do you get to do it? I enjoy maintaining relationships with existing customers, meeting new clients, and providing workable solutions for their meeting needs. I can do so with confidence, knowing that their group will be well taken care of by the very best: the team at Borgata!
Where do you volunteer and how has it impacted you? Habitat for Humanity has always been a favorite organization to volunteer time. I’ve had several opportunities to work on builds with talented craftspeople who nurtured my own skills. Affordable housing creates a stronger and more stable environment for families, which can make an impact on their future.
What qualities do you value in the people with whom you work? Colleagues who care about their work, providing excellent service to our customers while respecting each other. This is the description of our Hotel Sales Team!
What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before? Catch a fish!
Mavis Salomon-Lowden, Concierge
What is your favorite activity in your current position and how often do you get to do it? Setting up rooms and helping guests plan really fun weekends has become a top activity for me. Luckily, I am able to set up rooms about 3 times a week, so the fun never stops.
What is your definition of success? Being able to make a difference in someone’s life, every day. Success, at least in my eyes, is based on how I make others feel when they are around me.
Who is someone you really admire? My parents and my sister. My parents raised me to be empathetic and to see that life is meant to be fun. My sister taught me strength is in all of us.
What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before? I really want to go to a hot air balloon festival and I would like to cut down my carbon footprint more through sustainable living.