Diana Castrillon first got here into MGM Resort’s orbit in 2008. She’d simply arrived in Las Vegas as a single mom of a three-year-old. Her three-to-midnight schedule wouldn’t enable her to be the type of mom she wished to be. Castrillon was searching for conventional job hours, and that was about it.
Seventeen years later, Castrillon remains to be a member of the MGM household, however now in an government capability. Final 12 months, she was promoted to vice chairman of human resources at affiliated Borgata Lodge On line casino & Spa in Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey, spurring one more transfer throughout the nation and a complete new host of challenges outdoors Las Vegas.
The VP has by no means lived on the East Coast. She’s moved with out figuring out a soul.
“I assume I didn’t study my lesson,” Castrillon says, laughing. “However this promotion has given me the chance to broaden my scope to incorporate expertise administration, compensation, worker engagement, and philanthropy.”
A lot of that is new for the VP, however so is the size. Castrillon spent the majority of her profession overseeing a number of Las Vegas properties, dealing with inside investigations and office lodging. She was used to being a girl on the transfer, a hybrid employee earlier than the time period got here into vogue. Now her focus is one location, one web site, however there’s little question she’ll nonetheless get her steps in.
The on line casino lodge encompasses over 2,000 rooms; 161,000 sq. ft of gaming area; and 106,000 sq. ft of assembly and occasion area. The location has 13 eating places, eleven retail boutiques, a Roman-style outside pool, and an onsite spa. It’s the place friends come to loosen up on the East Coast, however behind the scenes, Castrillon helps breathe new life into the group.
At current, the HR VP is presently targeted on a number of strategic initiatives. One venture is the rollout of a complete year-long supervisor coaching program set to launch in March 2025. This system will emphasize enterprise acumen, management model exploration, and the event of crew members. Then there’s a site-wide property reinvigoration that features renovations and redesigns.
Moreover, her crew simply accomplished objective setting for its year-end evaluations, pay for efficiency evaluations, and is presently constructing its participant improvement division’s Asian gaming division. Throw within the improvement and rollout of an worker wellness app, and it looks as if Castrillon shall be trying to find extra hours in her day.
Extra holistically, Castrillon is attempting to study her new geography, each actually and culturally. She’s not enmeshed within the nonprofit or charitable area of Atlantic Metropolis fairly but, and he or she says she’s needed to depend on trusted members of her crew to assist her study the area.
“I’ve been fortunate with this government crew and with my community,” the VP says. “I’m constructing belief, educating myself as a brand new resident of the neighborhood, and persevering with to develop and nurture partnerships which were made right here.”
Borgata has a partnership with Reed’s Farm, a nonprofit that serves as a hub and academic useful resource for Atlantic County centered round regenerative agriculture and sustainable dwelling. It’s additionally a accomplice to the native Boys and Ladies Golf equipment, and Borgata’s Girls’s Worker Community Group volunteered in February at Sister Jean’s Kitchen, a nonprofit that gives meals and meals for these in want.
“I’ve an important crew of colleagues who’re very enthusiastic about philanthropic work, and so they’ve already taught me a lot,” Castrillon says. “There’s been a lot to study within the final 9 months, and I don’t assume that’s going to finish any time quickly.”
For many who is likely to be contemplating a profession within the gaming and hospitality area, Borgata is partnering with close by Stockton College for a summer time hiring occasion. It offers seasonal work alternatives that may assist get faculty college students some expertise within the area, probably resulting in full-on careers, or, on the very least, offering some tuition cash for the upcoming 12 months.
“I’m constructing belief, educating myself as a brand new resident of the neighborhood, and persevering with to develop and nurture partnerships which were made right here.”
Diana Castrillon
The VP says she’s a mirrored image of the type of alternatives somebody can make the most of in the event that they’re open to it. She got here to MGM simply searching for conventional work hours, and now she’s an HR vice chairman.
Castrillon additionally has nice recommendation for these starting their HR journeys. The VP says flexibility isn’t simply inspired—it’s required.
“This world isn’t cookie cutter, and it’s worthwhile to take a look at each scenario with an open thoughts and notice everybody is exclusive,” Castrillon says. “It’s an extremely difficult however equally rewarding area to work in.”
The VP says it may be simple to maintain evaluating your self to colleagues who appear to be getting promoted shortly and blasting up the ladder. However she stresses persistence and taking the time to turn into an skilled in your craft. We’ve all been informed to have persistence in our careers, however Castrillon says it’s repeated so usually for a motive. Take your time and study to be the very best at what you do.
