Nurturing Female Leaders in iGaming

VeliTech is considered one of the best companies for welcoming and developing female leaders. We speak to three members of its team to find out more.

Olha Yatsyna — CMO at VeliTech & Chief Communications Officer at Veli Group

The VeliTech group of companies have earned a reputation for nurturing female leaders in iGaming. Talk us through your approach to this.

We want to attract the absolute best talent to VeliTech, and don’t believe that a person’s gender should have any impact on their suitability for a particular role. We are a committed equal opportunity employer and provide support and career development opportunities for all our employees. That said, the industry has a bit of a reputation for being male-dominated, so we have made it our mission from day one to make it clear that we want to welcome female leaders to the business, and that we will provide them with the support and development opportunities they need to achieve their full potential. This approach has seen us build out a balanced team, with some truly exceptional females in senior positions across the organisation.

Have you faced challenges in creating a culture where you can welcome and then nurture female leaders? If so, how were these challenges overcome?

The challenge has been mostly around getting the message out to female leaders that VeliTech offers the career opportunities they are seeking. The skills, qualities and qualifications required for most of the roles across the organisation can also be applied to other industries, so we have done a lot of work around engaging and communicating with female leaders to make them aware of the opportunities the global iGaming industry presents, and why VeliTech is the right company for them to join. One of the most effective ways of doing this has been to celebrate the success of the female leaders we have across the organisation, and use their stories to inspire others to apply for the open roles we have or just to connect with us and find out more about the business.

How do you attract top talent, and how do you make it known that a core aspect of your culture is supporting female leaders?

Attracting top talent, whether female or male, comes down to several factors. It starts with offering an engaging and interesting role that will allow them to develop their skills and competencies, challenge them in the right way, and provide a clear path of progression. It’s then about making them aware of the company culture and how the organisation will support them in achieving their own goals and aspirations. I think it’s important for potential candidates to get a feel for the types of people the organisation employs so they can determine if they would fit in well with the team. As for female leaders specifically, we do a lot to promote what our female leaders are doing and achieving, and to celebrate their successes. This helps others to see that we are true to our word when it comes to supporting female leaders, nurturing their talents and providing them with the opportunities to develop and secure senior roles within the organisation.

What are the upsides to having a diversified team where employees are provided with an environment to achieve their full potential?

We have the absolute best people working in any given role. A diversified and balanced workforce also brings new perspectives, different approaches to problem-solving and even unlocks unexpected opportunities for the business. By embracing female leaders and giving them the environment to succeed, VeliTech has grown at scale and pace, driven by the brightest minds and creative talents, regardless of their gender. I think we have also created a blueprint for other companies to follow when it comes to empowering female leaders, creating a culture based on equality, hiring individuals based on merit and ensuring they fit within the wider organisation.

What would you say to female leaders considering a career in the global iGaming industry?

Go for it. This is a fascinating industry that evolves at a fast pace. Things are always changing, and this is what makes it so interesting. It’s an industry that takes in everything from technology and law to consumer behaviour, data, marketing, engineering, creativity, finance and compliance, with a wide range of roles for individuals to explore and consider. It’s great for career development, and there are some truly fantastic organisations that you can work for, and in desirable locations across the world. For me, VeliTech has been the pinnacle of my career and has ultimately become my work home – a home that I would love to share with more like-minded female leaders.

VeliTech is a pioneering company in many respects, but especially when it comes to its approach to diversity and inclusion, and nurturing female leaders.

To find out more about the company culture that’s driving this, we spoke to two female leaders, Aleksandra Rudis, CEO at Heaven of 7 and Yevheniia Bocharova, CEO at VeliPlay.

We speak to both about their experience at VeliTech and how the company has supported their career aspirations.

How has the VeliTech culture allowed you to achieve your career goals and reach your full potential?

AR: What I value most about the VeliTech culture is that it recognises individuality. It’s a place where ideas can come from anyone, not just from titles. This has given me the freedom to lead Heaven of 7 in a way that feels authentic, combining business logic with creativity and empathy. I’ve always worked across different industries, from finance to tech and AAA gaming, and this variety shaped how I lead today. Veli’s environment supports that diversity of thought and lets you apply it without limits.

YB: When I joined VeliTech, I started as a Product Manager. From the very beginning, I experienced a culture that values initiative, innovative ideas and the courage to take risks, regardless of your position. Leadership didn’t just support me, they believed in me and my vision, giving me the freedom to take ownership and deliver results. Thanks to this culture of trust and openness, I was able to grow, take on new challenges, and expand my impact. Today, as CEO of VeliPlay, I see that the VeliTech focus on respect, transparency and equal opportunities has allowed me to fully realise my potential and inspire others to do the same. This environment nurtures leaders at all levels and encourages the entire team to contribute, innovate and excel.

What challenges have you faced as a female in the iGaming industry, and how has VeliTech helped you overcome these challenges?

AR: In the early years, I often felt that women in gaming had to over-explain their competence before being trusted with responsibility. Within the Veli ecosystem, that narrative changes. I’ve never had to prove my worth because of gender, only through the work itself. That’s a powerful shift. I’m surrounded by colleagues who value skill, commitment and results above everything else, and that creates a culture where you can truly grow.

YB: Early in my career, the industry often questioned women in leadership roles. At VeliPlay, the focus is always on competence, contribution and accountability, not gender. The company fosters a culture where anyone can express ideas freely and have their performance evaluated based on results. This support has allowed me to focus on growth and impact rather than overcoming stereotypes, and it encourages all employees to thrive.

Why is it so important for organisations to embrace diversity and equality, and to give female talent the same opportunities as their male counterparts?

AR: Because innovation doesn’t happen in echo chambers. The best ideas often come from the friction of different experiences, and gender balance is part of that equation. Women bring different instincts, such as emotional intelligence, holistic thinking and resilience, all of which are vital in industries built on understanding people. I’ve seen that firsthand, both in gaming and in tech startups, where diverse teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones.

YB: Diversity strengthens teams and drives innovation. Leaders of any gender bring unique perspectives and skills, but women often contribute flexible thinking, critical analysis and the ability to evaluate multiple possible outcomes, which enhances decision-making and strategic planning. Additionally, women frequently bring empathy and strong awareness of team dynamics, helping prevent conflicts and fostering a positive, collaborative environment. Providing equal opportunities ensures that all talent, regardless of gender, can contribute fully, making teams stronger, more resilient and more innovative.

Can you give an example of how having females in senior positions has benefited your company?

AR:  At Heaven of 7, women hold key leadership roles across product, design and operations, and I’ve seen how that directly shapes both our culture and the games we create. In the iGaming industry, there’s often pressure to focus on short-term results. Having strong female leaders at the table naturally brings more balance and more attention to player psychology, emotional pacing and long-term retention alongside commercial performance. For me, the biggest benefit is perspective. We stay competitive and ambitious, but we also build with sustainability and responsibility in mind. That balance influences how we design our products and how we collaborate as a team.

YB: Female leaders have strengthened the VeliPlay culture of collaboration, communication and support. Their empathy and attention to team dynamics improve understanding across departments and help anticipate challenges before they escalate. This approach creates a harmonious, productive workplace, reduces employee turnover and encourages team members to stay longer than average, contributing to greater stability and continuity. As a result, teams work more cohesively, engagement increases and business outcomes improve.

How do you approach supporting other female colleagues in reaching their full potential, both within the VeliTech group of companies and the wider industry?

AR: I believe support starts with visibility and real responsibility. In the iGaming industry, women are still less represented in product and executive roles, so it’s important that we actively create those opportunities. When Forbes Cyprus recognised me as one of the Women in Tech Award winners, it reinforced how meaningful representation can be. It shows that leadership in our industry is possible and accessible. Within VeliTech, I encourage women to take ownership by  leading projects, managing budgets and joining strategic discussions. Confidence grows with responsibility. Beyond the organisation, I’m always open to mentoring and honest conversations about both the opportunities and the challenges of leadership.

YB: I aim to lead by example, showing that leadership is defined by competence, confidence and accountability, not gender. I actively support colleagues by sharing experience, offering guidance and encouraging them to embrace challenges and take initiative. Our team is evenly balanced by gender, with a strong representation of women in core leadership, and I actively advocate for hiring talented women into managerial roles to ensure they have opportunities to grow and lead. Supporting each other and recognising achievements is essential, and this collective encouragement strengthens the entire team.

Any final thoughts or anything else you’d like to add?

AR: The global iGaming industry is evolving rapidly, and that evolution requires thoughtful and diverse leadership. Women bring perspective, resilience and strong people awareness – qualities that matter in a fast-moving, regulated environment. At Heaven of 7, I’m proud that we are building products that balance performance with player respect, while contributing to an industry where female leadership feels natural and visible.

YB: iGaming is a fast-paced, rapidly evolving industry where success depends on adaptability, openness and continuous learning. I am proud to work in a company that nurtures these qualities and creates equal opportunities for all employees, allowing talent to flourish regardless of background or gender. Diverse leadership, combined with collaboration and shared vision, makes VeliPlay and VeliTech stronger, more innovative and ready to achieve ambitious goals.

The post Nurturing Female Leaders in iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.