NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Joanne Israel, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino General Manager, has been recognized among Western New York’s leading women in business by Buffalo Business First. Israel was recently included in the publication’s “2024 Power 200 Women” list, as chosen by Buffalo Business First editors and reporters. The annual “Power 200 Women” list recognizes the 200 most powerful women in Western New York’s business community, a group whose talent and influence fuel economic, social and cultural growth throughout the region.
“I am honored to be recognized among such an impressive group of professional women, who provide remarkable leadership and vision at several of Western New York’s most influential and successful companies, institutions, and organizations,” said Israel. “It is especially meaningful to me, as a Seneca woman, to represent the important economic and cultural contributions Seneca Gaming Corporation, the Seneca Nation, and the Seneca people continue to make across Western New York every day.”
Israel has served as GM at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Gaming Corporation’s largest gaming and entertainment resort property, since 2022. In her role, she leads the property’s day-to-day operations, overseeing a team of more than 1,300 team members and managing operations that include more than 2,600 slot machines, 60 table games, 10 restaurants, live entertainment venues, and a 26-story, 604-room AAA Four Diamond award-winning hotel.
She joined Seneca Gaming Corporation in 2011 after five years in public accounting. After being named Assistant GM at Seneca Niagara in 2018, she helped manage and facilitate the $40 million Seneca Arrival Experience project, which completely renovated and reimagined the east entrance to the resort. Israel also played a leading role in the safe, thorough, and effective closing and reopening of the resort at the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic. As GM at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino from 2016 to 2018, Israel coordinated and supervised a $40 million expansion of the facility, including new gaming, dining, and retail space. Her previous roles within the company also included Corporate Director of Finance and Casino Controller.
A member of the Seneca Nation, Israel was a recipient of the inaugural Rising Leader Award presented by the National Indian Gaming Association.
“We are very proud of all that Joanne continues to accomplish,” said Kevin Nephew, Seneca Gaming Corporation President & CEO. “She has earned her place on this prestigious list of Western New York’s influential women business leaders. Her exceptional leadership continues to help propel Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino to the top of our industry and make the property the destination of choice for millions of visitors from throughout Western New York, across the U.S. and Canada, and around the world.”