Megan Santos Coelho

I attribute much of my success to strong leadership and mentorship throughout my career. I’ve been fortunate to work with experienced leaders at MGM Resorts and in my current role who recognized my potential, trusted my abilities, and gave me opportunities to grow into new areas of the industry.

Sports betting is still relatively new in Massachusetts, which created an exciting opportunity to step into an evolving space and grow alongside it. My leadership took a chance on me, and I was equally willing to take a chance on a new and rapidly developing industry. That mutual trust, combined with my willingness to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges, has played a significant role in my success.

The best career advice I’ve received is to never underestimate the importance of networking and building meaningful professional relationships. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have great leaders and mentors who taught me the value of connecting with others and staying engaged. Because of that, I’ve built strong relationships with professionals across the country and internationally. You never know where a conversation or introduction may lead, so I always make it a point to be open, approachable, and willing to connect with everyone I meet. Some of the most valuable opportunities in my career have come from simply building genuine relationships.

My advice would be to never let intimidation or self-doubt keep you from pursuing an opportunity. Continue applying for positions even when you may not feel like the traditional candidate. In industries that have historically been male-dominated, it can be easy to question whether you belong, especially if you don’t have the same background or speak the industry language as fluently as others.

I’ve learned that there is so much more that determines success. My ability to build and maintain strong relationships, adapt, learn the sports and gaming industry, and consistently deliver results has been incredibly valuable throughout my career. Believe in what you bring to the table, stay willing to learn, and don’t be intimidated by entering spaces where women may still be underrepresented.

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field is that regulated sports betting is still relatively new in Massachusetts, which means traditional career and leadership paths are continuing to evolve. I see that as an exciting opportunity. As the industry grows and matures, there will be an increasing need for leaders who understand both high-value client relationship management and the operational side of sports betting. Being part of an evolving industry also creates opportunities to learn, adapt, and help shape what successful leadership looks like moving forward.

One of the greatest values I bring to my work is reliability. I take pride in being highly organized, proficient, and efficient, and I make it a priority to complete my responsibilities promptly and accurately. I prefer to stay ahead of deadlines whenever possible, which gives me the opportunity to review my work and ensure it meets a high standard. Being someone my team and leadership can consistently depend on is extremely important to me.

I’m also very goal-oriented. When an organization sets a performance goal for me, I typically set my own personal target 10–20% higher. I believe in continuously challenging myself rather than simply meeting expectations.

Outside of my professional life, I place a strong value on health and personal well-being. I enjoy staying active through fitness and outdoor activities, and I take pride in maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. That same discipline, consistency, and drive carries over into how I approach my career.