MARICOPA, AZ – Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino launched Equal, the property’s newest business impact group (BIG), at the recent Phoenix Pride Parade. The LGBTQIA+ and Ally Employee Business Impact Group will provide professional networking and volunteer opportunities for its members and help foster and promote equality internally and externally for the organization.
Each BIG within Harrah’s Ak-Chin is sponsored by members of the senior leadership team. Lauren Conley, Employment Manager, is the Equal Senior Level Sponsor and April Tawney, Director of Facilities and Surveillance, will serve as the Equal Executive Sponsor.
“It was the perfect day to launch Equal,” said Conley. “This member-led group will provide the opportunity for personal and professional networking and development, as well as opportunities to give back to our community. I’m so happy to be a part of it.”
This is the third BIG instituted by Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. The Salute BIG for military team members and their allies was launched in September 2019. The Savvy BIG that promotes the empowerment, support and advancement of women, was launched in 2021.
BIGs are staff-led groups and are open to all team members who support the mission. The goals of each BIG are:
- Promote cultural awareness and education
- Develop team members personally and professionally
- Drive innovation and strategic business initiatives
- Support diverse team member recruitment and retention
- Foster a positive company image in our communities
Ten years ago, Caesars Entertainment established Equal, then the first-of-its-kind in the gaming and entertainment industry. Equal is one of the company’s seven BIGs, which are a core element of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy to integrate team members who self-identify with groups created to support different dimension of diversity.
