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Take Your Career to The Next Level

Driving career evolution with community, connection, and insight.

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Insights

Browse articles, explore videos or listen to podcasts to get valuable tip.

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From retail to marketing, government to horticulture, we are looking for talent like you!

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San Manuel

Next Level is a dedicated resource hub providing support, events and thought leadership to aspiring professionals at all levels. Powered by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Next Level looks to help elevate your career by giving you exclusive insights from some of the most prominent industry leaders.

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Previous Speakers

Peter Arceo

Peter Arceo

Chief Gaming Officer, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Hector Fernandez

Hector Fernandez

CEO of Aristocrat Gaming

Corey Norkin

Corey Norkin

SVP of Global Partnerships, LA Dodgers

Afsi Bird

Afsi Bird

VP of Hotel Operations for Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel

Bo Bernhard

Bo Bernhard

VP of Economic Development at UNLV

Jan Jones Blackhurst

Jan Jones Blackhurst

Former Mayor of Las Vegas

Andrew Parnell

Andrew Parnell

President of LaneTerralever

Tracee Nalewak

Tracee Nalewak

Giraldo - Chief Growth Officer at UrVenue

Laura Fernandez

Laura Fernandez

VP Head of Industry | Travel & Gambling for SXM Media

Matt Wilson

Matt Wilson

CEO of Light & Wonder

Jennifer Lodge - SVP Forbes Travel Guide, The Americas

Jennifer Lodge

SVP Forbes Travel Guide, The Americas

Alexis Ginas - President of iHeart Media, Los Angeles

Alexis Ginas

President of iHeart Media, Los Angeles

Bill Pedigo - Chief Commercial Officer at ocV!BE

Bill Pedigo

Chief Commercial Officer at ocV!BE

Toni Pepper - Chief Information Technology Officer at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Toni Pepper

Chief Information Technology Officer at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Joe Pulizzi

Joe Pulizzi

Founder of The Tilt & Best-Selling Author

Bob Boughner

Bob Boughner

Private Investor & Longtime Boyd Gaming Executive

Explore Our
Video Library

Industry advice right from the source. From marketing to sales to retail and more, we sit down with today’s leaders so you can learn for tomorrow.

Kari Stout-Smith, General Manager of Cache Creek Casino Resort

Kari Stout-Smith is the General Manager for Cache Creek Casino Resort and has over 25 years of extensive experience in the casino industry.  In this episode, she provides valuable insight into the evolving casino industry, strategies for hiring the best talent, and finding the place that will allow you to stay true to yourself!

watch now Kari Stout-Smith, General Manager of Cache Creek Casino Resort

Andrew Bernstein, Hall of Fame Photographer and Illustrator of the Best Selling Book “The Mamba Mentality”

Bernstein's photography has appeared in thousands of newspapers and magazine covers worldwide, as well as significant advertising campaigns, for nearly forty years. He is a Hall of Fame photographer and arguably the best sports photographer ever.

watch now Andrew Bernstein, Hall of Fame Photographer and Illustrator of the Best Selling Book “The Mamba Mentality”

Julie Uhrman, Co-Founder & President of Angel City Football Club

Julie Uhrman, Co-Founder and President of Angel City Football Club, has had an extensive career as an entrepreneur with experience in investment banking, video and mobile gaming, technology, and now in direct-to-consumer entertainment with women’s soccer.

watch now Julie Uhrman, Co-Founder & President of Angel City Football Club

Stephen Lind, Associate Professor of Clinical Business Communication at USC Marshall School of Business

Stephen Lind is an Associate Professor of Clinical Business Communication at USC's Marshall School of Business, where he teaches courses in business communication. His teaching encompasses strategic messaging, technology in touch, consulting, and refining speaking and writing skills for business contexts.

watch now Stephen Lind, Associate Professor of Clinical Business Communication at USC Marshall School of Business

Heather Jimenez, Learning & Development Manager for San Manuel

Heather Jimenez is the Learning & Development Manager for San Manuel and has dedicated over 13 years to team building, educational advancement, and employee retention. In this episode she discussed the power of self-awareness, how to build relationships to maximize team efforts, and her passion to serve others.

watch now Heather Jimenez, Learning & Development Manager for San Manuel

Next Level Podcast

Episode 1

Peter Arceo
Yaamava' Resort & Casino General Manager

Join us as Peter Arceo gives insight to the casino industry for anyone from beginners to seasoned professionals.

Next Level Show
Podcast platform
Apple Podcast
Podcast platform
Spotify

Leadership Learnings

Browse our blog for career advice and inspiring stories of success.

The Global Gaming Landscape with Ari Mizrachi
The Global Gaming Landscape
Featuring Ari Mizrachi, the Senior Vice President and Head of North America Business at Tangam Systems
Wanor
Tri-Lingual Triumphs: 3 Essential Tips for Leading Multicultural Teams Effectively
Featuring Wanor França, the Chief Revenue Officer of Casino Cash Trac
 Energizing the Casino Floor with Sustainable Utility Management
Energizing the Casino Floor with Sustainable Utility Management
Featuring Kate Ellis, General Manager of San Manuel Utility Authority at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Finding Success through Next Level

Kathy Forester

Kathy Forester

Controller | Gaming Properties

“I was on the fence about leaving a place where I felt content with where I was in my career. However, I recall listening to one of the Next Level panelists (Lori) talk about how we must accept new challenges in order to grow. Now, I can attest that Lori was right.”

Patrick Taylor

Patrick Taylor

Interactive Graphic Designer

“Through the panel discussions, I learned about the innovative culture at Yaamava'’ and their Next Level initiative that promotes innovative ideas from all team members. For me, continual improvement is an ongoing goal, so hearing “anyone can innovate” from an employer that values input from team members was very attractive from a career perspective.”

Grow Your Career with San Manuel

Are you ready to level up? Browse open positions and work with some of Southern California’s most outstanding talent.