Reel Lives: Kelly Kehn On Entrepreneurship, The Value Of Diversity, Paying It Forward, And Broadway
The co-founder of the All-in Diversity Project and Defy the Odds manages to juggle an awful lot
5 min
Every gambler has a story to tell. And so does every person who chooses to make a living in this unique industry.
In our “Reel Lives” series, Casino Reports shines a spotlight on people working in the gaming business, from executives, to analysts, to media members and communications pros, and all points in between.
The subject in this interview: Kelly Kehn, a multi-talented leader focusing on marketing, public relations, events, and communications at the intersection of the tech and gaming industries. Kehn is a co-founder of the All-in Diversity Project, and her most recent venture is a startup launchpad called Defy the Odds, which aims to “redefine innovation across gaming, and make the pathways to entrepreneurship more inclusive.”
Casino Reports (CR): Tell us about the inspiration for Defy the Odds. How long was it from ideation to announcing its launch? And how are things going so far?
Kelly Kehn (KK): Defy the Odds was inspired and born out of our passion for the industry and our belief in shining a light on areas that have otherwise been ignored. The three founders (myself, Sue Schneider, and Paris Smith) believe strongly in the need for innovation across iGaming and we just think differently about how to get it. Loads of ideas and dreams get ignored because the founders do it differently than anyone has before. But we see that as a good thing.
We met back in April last year. We thought long and hard about what drives us, what we are good at, and where there are gaps in the market. The industry’s need for new perspectives, markets, and customers was at the center of the conversation. Additionally, the three of us share a belief in level playing fields, and entrepreneurship was an area ripe for positive change.
Fast forward to today and we are up and running, working with a handful of startups in various stages and product verticals. We are seeing some great ideas come through that support the rise of women’s sport, which is very exciting. In addition to the advisory, we have much larger plans to bring iGaming closer to the startup ecosystem through community building and bringing startup innovation to serve the larger Tier 1 brands.
CR: Regarding the All-In Diversity Project, this is not a political but a business question: Given the climate in the U.S. right now, where DEI initiatives are getting terminated at a variety of companies, what is the most compelling business case for companies to keep the initiatives in place? How are the benefits of an inclusive workplace manifested, in your experience?
KK: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are values, not requirements or politics. If companies authentically value getting the best out of their staff, they will continue their efforts. They might rethink the approach, they might use different vocabulary or update their budgets, but valuing people is part of culture. You either have it or you don’t, and regardless of what you call it, culture is very important to business. The current climate around the acronym is divided and politicized, I agree. I think we’ll see that the companies who want to be the best will understand that the best ideas, best strategies, and best output come from people who can work towards a goal by bringing their own perspectives and skills to a problem and you don’t get that from a homogenized group.
CR: Here’s the obligatory question on Artificial Intelligence. Can you point to any AI-driven innovations you’ve seen within the industry that are favorable or beneficial for the consumer?
KK: Yes. We are cautiously excited about AI and the transformation it might bring to iGaming. Here are a couple startups we think will definitely make their mark on our industry through AI.
Rithmm: Sports betting modeling/analytics are very complicated, and most don’t take the time to immerse themselves in it, so when betting, people either go with their gut or follow others’ picks. While gut instincts have long played a role in the world of sports betting, Rithmm is integrating instincts with meticulously crafted personalized predictive models. The app uses AI and data analytics to help users build their own analytical models simply so users can make smart bets. This product is truly democratizing sports betting.
CompliancePlay: We’ve long believed that regulation holds back innovation but this team has turned that idea on its head. CompliancePlay uses AI to instantly give users accurate and digestible answers to questions that govern all aspects of the business’s operations (licensing, RG, advertising, data protection, etc.) It takes into account jurisdictions, regulatory frameworks, and risk appetite. This product is lifting the “compliance weight” off businesses, making them more efficient and accurate, and we see this as a win for everyone.
CR: Is there a particular experience or learning you had early in your career — at the Jockey Club or perhaps Central Park Conservatory — that made a strong impression and you’ve carried with you throughout your career?
KK: Now we are going way back. My work at The Jockey Club gave me a lifetime love for horseracing and introduced me to the world of gambling. I had the best boss of my life at that job. He exposed me to all aspects of the industry including breeding, media, track operations, and the betting side. It was this exposure that led me to always wanting to understand all aspects of a business in order to do my job well.
My boss also had a very special knack for paying it forward with everyone, and that had a huge impact on how I see things. Not everything we do needs to have an immediate reward or consequence. So much of what we do “for free” builds relationships, integrity, and our knowledge of the world, which is more valuable to me than most things.
CR: What startup environment experience or revelation is typically the most jarring for many of the early-stage, first-time founders you’ve encountered (or counseled)?
KK: There isn’t one thing, as every founder/founding team is different.
Startups can move pretty quickly, so having to wait for larger companies (potential partners) and investors can be very stressful.
Most startups are always in “executing/fire-fighting” mode, so asking them to be thoughtful/strategic can be very jarring at times.
Giving critical feedback is often jarring as a lot of founders (mistakenly) start their business because they believe they know more than others. The founders that typically succeed are self-aware and open to feedback.
… and of course the regulatory quagmire that is gaming is shocking for all of us.
CR: Let’s forget about work now. What are some of your hobbies and interests outside the office?
KK: I just finished a diploma in non-executive directorship, I’m chair of governors at my kids’ school, and am a director of an online casino in Malta, so this keeps me pretty busy, but I really love it. My son is really into football (soccer), so we’ve gotten into women’s professional football as a family. I also really love musical theater. If anyone wants to take me to see Redwood (Idina Menzel is back on Broadway!) when I’m in New York, they’ll have a friend for life.
Reel Fast
How many gaming conferences have you attended over the past 10 years?
50, or about five per year.
Favorite breed of dog?
Labrador.
Best airport in the world?
Heathrow.
Most frequently played musician on your music app of choice?
Oof. The Greatest Showman soundtrack and Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter right now.
First car you ever drove?
Chevy Celebrity, no paint only primer, bench front seat.
Best new corporate logo redesign you can recall in the past several years?
AirBnB? Their old logo really sucked.
Favorite fruit (to eat — not casino game fruit)
Easy-peeler oranges.
What’s the last book you read?
Becoming, by Michelle Obama.
You can become acquainted with Kelly on LinkedIn here, and follow the shining light of Defy the Odds right over here.
Previous installments of Reel Lives:
Gina Fiore On Gambling, Writing, Starring In A Documentary, And Explaining Her Job To Her Son
Sue Schneider On The Interactive Gaming Council, Mentoring, And The Mississippi River
