Her Story
About Emily
Emily McQuater is a marketing and promotional systems professional based in Columbus, Ohio, currently serving as a Promotional Systems Administrator at PENN Entertainment, Inc. In her role, she supports casino promotions across 34 properties throughout the United States, creating and programming kiosk games, promotional offers, and giveaways. Working remotely as part of a specialized team, Emily combines marketing strategy, technical problem-solving, and operational support to troubleshoot live promotional issues, train properties on new systems, and help ensure successful customer-facing campaigns.
Emily’s career reflects a highly adaptable and unconventional professional journey. She initially pursued culinary arts with aspirations of becoming a professional baker before shifting toward communication and journalism, particularly food writing and reviews. She later returned to school to study sustainable brewing, becoming one of only two women in her program and receiving scholarship support in recognition of her participation in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her experience in the brewing industry included marketing and management positions before she transitioned into casino operations, where she discovered an opportunity to combine her communication, marketing, analytical, and technical abilities.
Throughout her career, Emily has been guided by a strong work ethic, adaptability, honesty, and clear communication. She credits her father for instilling the determination and discipline that have helped her navigate multiple career changes, while her belief in goal-setting and manifestation continues to shape her approach to professional growth. Outside of work, Emily enjoys painting, sculpting, and music, including piano, guitar, and singing, and she is interested in eventually showcasing her artwork at craft shows or fairs. Her non-linear career demonstrates the value of embracing change, learning from new experiences, and remaining confident when pursuing unexpected opportunities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my father, who inspired me through his own educational journey and strong work ethic. He taught me to stay driven, believe in myself, and never give up. I also believe in manifestation and the importance of clearly envisioning my goals while consistently taking action to achieve them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve learned is to trust the process, stay adaptable, and keep pursuing opportunities even when things don’t go as planned. My own non-linear career path has shown me that different experiences can come together to create a fulfilling career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t be intimidated by a male-dominated industry or by people with more experience. Learn from those around you, stay strong, hold your head high, and remain confident in your abilities. Believe in yourself and never let someone else’s experience make you doubt your own potential.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is providing reliable support across many properties while managing live promotions and unexpected technical issues. At the same time, there are strong opportunities for professionals who can combine technical skills with creativity and communication, especially as technology and customer engagement continue to intersect in the casino and entertainment industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and communication are the most important values to me, both personally and professionally. Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and clear, transparent communication ensures that everyone has the information they need to work effectively and avoid misunderstandings.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.