Women Leading the Way: Mentorship and Market Strategy

The Michelle Pascoe Hospitality Podcast

In this incredible episode I sit down with Rachel McHugh, a dynamic leader in the gaming industry with a fascinating career journey that proves there’s no one path to success. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Demography, Rachel initially aspired to become a demographer for the Australian Bureau of Statistics. But life had different plans!

Rachel shares her story of pivoting from her initial dreams to a career in marketing, first with Dental Corporation and Yokogawa, before making a bold leap into the gaming industry. With no prior experience, Rachel took a chance and landed a role at IGT as a Product Coordinator, quickly rising to Product Manager for ANZ, where she stayed for nearly six years. Today, she is the Senior Product Manager for the APAC region at Ainsworth Game Technology, where she leads go-to-market strategies, product roadmap development, sales enablement, and fosters cross-functional collaboration.

In our conversation, Rachel opens up about her experiences in mentoring, her insights into entering the gaming industry, and the challenges she has faced along the way. We also discuss the importance of women in leadership, finding time for oneself, and achieving balance in a demanding industry. Rachel’s background in demography continues to influence her work as she navigates market data and release strategies, helping to better align games and roadmaps with market needs.

If you're curious about the gaming industry, interested in product management, or passionate about women's leadership, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear Rachel's inspiring journey, her advice for overcoming challenges, and her tips on finding balance while forging a path in a fast-paced world.

Don’t miss this engaging episode with Rachel McHugh – listen and download now!