Amy Howe helms one of the undisputed giants of the burgeoning online sports betting industry. She spoke with us about what's next in her world, why this is her ideal job, and why other WISE women might want to consider making the leap as well.

On the joys of online sports betting:

"You don't need to be a statistics expert to have fun. The vast majority of our users are recreational bettors who wager small amounts to make a game more interesting. There's a social aspect, too, when friends all bet on the same event. When you're all in it together, it creates communities and a shared excitement. For that, the underlying statistics of the game matter less."

On fighting misconceptions:

"We understand that there may still be some stigma attached to the previously illegal industry. That is why we are committed to promoting responsible gaming in the regulated and legal marketplace. The energy and effort that continues to go into building this sector the right way is considerable, including helping to launch the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) in partnership with six other operators. We're constantly educating consumers about how to maintain betting as a form of entertainment, as something that enhances the live sports experience. Our efforts are housed under three pillars of player protection. First, we provide tools that allow customers to place limits on their time, wagers,, and deposits and provide a monthly statement that transparently provides players with all of their activity. Next, are our advocacy programs through important partnerships with Kindbridge, Epic Risk Management and Operation Hope. And finally, we are raising awareness with Craig Carton, our National Responsible Gaming Ambassador."

On what's next:

"Today, approximately 50% of the country can legally place a bet. Over the next 10 years, though, we anticipate that number to increase, and that will push us from a $10 billion industry to an estimated $40 billion market. From a consumer perspective, there will be more integration between live events and betting. And the user experience will be even better, with more personalization and a more intuitive interface."

On why she moved into online sports betting … and why you may want to as well:

"I feel like I've prepared my whole life for this job. I was a competitive athlete; I worked at McKinsey; I engaged with professional leagues while at Ticketmaster. And I have three sons who are sports enthusiasts. This is by far the most exciting chapter of my career, with my professional and personal passions coming together. From a career perspective, if you are a competitive person and love sports, this is a great space for you. It's dynamic and fast paced — things literally change weekly — intellectually challenging and fun. Also, and I'm a little biased here, our culture is incredibly engaging."

On her — and FanDuel's — commitment to women:

"It's a privilege to use my platform to pay it forward. We've put two programs in place. One is a two-day offsite where the company's top 100 female leaders bond, share stories, and participate in programs built to instill the tools necessary to navigate the barriers that hold us back. We also instituted a six-month mentorship program for emerging women leaders."

On why diversity of thought matters:

"To use a sports analogy, you'd never recruit only quarterbacks or wide receivers. We're in a very competitive space; we need to bring in the best and the brightest, whoever they are and wherever they come from. If you look at the statistics of companies who do well with DEI, the numbers are compelling: 25% to 30% are higher performing. This is not about checking a box."

On why WISE matters:

"I love how WISE leverages existing platforms, like how it offers the Multiplier Summit at MIT's Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. The organization goes to a place where there are already amazing women and leaders gathered and creates networking opportunities for talented young women. The more we all do, the more progress we'll make around gender diversity in our sector."

On lessons learned:

"A few things helped me get to where I am: Being open to new opportunities, trusting myself and those around me, and being comfortable with ambiguity. I always say to my team, 'The only certainty is that there will be more uncertainty.' Finally, my favorite thing to impart to my kids is that they have to build grit as if it were a muscle. You're gonna get knocked down, personally and professionally. Being able to pick yourself back up is an invaluable skill."