Waterford resident named in Emerging Leaders of Gaming '40 Under 40'

Kelly Sullivan, director of global HR and development with Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, was recently named to the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 for the 2019-2020 class. Honorees come from around the gaming industry, including entertainment, law, manufacturers and commercial and tribal casinos.

“The ELG 40 Under 40 has become the most important vehicle for recognition of rising leaders in the gaming industry,” Roger Gros, publisher of “Global Gaming Business” magazine, said in a release. “With a record number of nominations, the list was very difficult to narrow. It’s a testament to the bright future of the industry just how competitive the process has become.”

“To be recognized as one of the top 40 emerging leaders amongst so many amazing professionals in our industry has been humbling and a true honor,” Sullivan said in an email.

A resident of Waterford, she is currently on assignment in South Korea for the development of MGE’s Integrated Entertainment Resort, working with business and government leaders to get the project off the ground. She said she leapt at the opportunity to go.

“For me, it was and is a once in a lifetime opportunity that would present the most challenging but also rewarding year of my life both professionally and personally,” she said.

Sullivan also led in the Mohegan Tribe’s career and leadership development department, developing programs to support upcoming Mohegan leadership in their business ventures. She has a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a certificate in financial management, and she is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Lyme Land Trust names Volunteer of the Year

The Lyme Land Trust has named Parker Lord the 2019 Volunteer of the Year, the first year the award has been given.

Selected for his contributions to the land trust's mission of preserving and stewarding land of high conservation value, Lord has donated countless volunteer hours through advocating for land conservation, maintaining the properties, and working with land owners to acquire more open space. He and his wife, Diana, also sold what is now Banningwood Preserve to the trust to support educational programming.

"He always has a smile on his face, he's proud of his town and the open space it has to offer and he is a diehard helper-outer," Sue Cope, environmental director of the Lyme Land Trust, said in a release.

"If he sees something that needs to be done, he does it," Wendy Hill, a board member and open space coordinator for the town, said in the release.

For more information about the Lyme Land Trust, visit lymelandtrust.org.

Friends and Neighbors is a regular feature in The Times. To submit, email times@theday.com.