Rock and Role: Amplifying Lottery Leadership in Cleveland
- Insights Online
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
By NASPL Insights
Published April 22, 2025
The NASPL Lottery Leadership Institute brought together emerging leaders from across North America for an impactful week of growth, collaboration, and forward-thinking. Hosted by the Ohio Lottery in downtown Cleveland, the mid-April event offered hands-on learning experiences, invaluable networking, and thought-provoking sessions designed to prepare the next generation of lottery professionals to lead with purpose and drive innovation.
The week kicked off with discussion from industry leaders – including NASPL President and Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays; Ohio Lottery Director Michelle Gilcrist; and NASPL Executive Director David Gale – sharing their insights on the state of the industry. We were also joined by our NASPL Premier Associate Partners – IGT, Scientific Games, Intralot, and Pollard Banknote Limited – who explored real-world leadership perspectives and key industry trends.
Franklin Covey leadership trainer Andy Cindrich led high-impact sessions on leading with integrity, building confidence, and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams – critical skills for navigating change and growth in any industry.
Attendees took a deep dive into other professional development topics as well, including emotional intelligence, career-building strategies, and collaborative roundtable discussions focused on solving shared challenges. The agenda also prioritized personal well-being. A guided mindfulness session provided attendees with accessible self-care tools to help bring balance to their daily routines, both at work and at home.
And throughout the week, the Ohio Lottery team shared valuable insights on customer engagement, scratch ticket portfolio development, and responsible gambling strategies – reinforcing the importance of understanding and serving the player base with integrity.
Another highlight of the week was the high-energy networking reception held at Boss Pro Karting. Sponsored by our Premier Associate Partners, the event offered attendees a chance to unwind and connect in a fun, electrifying setting. From go-kart racing and axe throwing to an immersive VR experience, participants stepped out of their comfort zones and strengthened relationships with industry peers in a memorable and exciting way.
“LLI is about more than professional development,” said NASPL Executive Director David Gale. “It’s about empowering our future leaders to innovate, work together, and shape the future of our industry with purpose.”
As the Institute came to a close, it was clear that the lottery industry’s next generation of leaders is ready to take on new challenges – bringing fresh ideas, a collaborative spirit, and a strong sense of purpose to the work ahead.
