THE GAMES GAL

Jessica Chambers

Vice President of Hospitality, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

SUPERPOWER: Humble ambition

Inspired by her maternal grandmother’s exceptional cooking skills, Jessica “Jess” Chambers wanted to become a professional chef. She went into culinary school and, after a few other positions in the casino business, she landed a gig as a chef in the culinary department at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, which was near her hometown of Frederick, Maryland.

After 14 years climbing the food and beverage ladder, she’s reached her current position as vice president of hospitality. Chambers provides leadership and oversight of food and beverage, hotel operations, facilities maintenance, and the environmental services of the casino. “It’s really exciting and a lot of fun,” Chambers says. “I love what I do. We’re creating experiences that help people escape their routines.”

While she loves the day-to-day elements of her job, she finds passion and purpose in the charitable causes that Hollywood Casino sponsors. At the end of 2022, she was given the opportunity to chair the Hollywood Good Neighbor Committee, which invests time and funds in local charities and community organizations. “I’m passionate about that because I live here and I have raised my kids here,” she shares. “Last year, we were able to raise about $300,000 to support local charities, and this year, we’re on track to surpass that.”

Chambers is working on her master’s in corporate and organizational communication at West Virginia University, and she is a member of the board of directors for Global Gaming Women. Gaming is male-dominated industry largely centered around Las Vegas, and Chambers is passionate about bringing resources and education to women in the rest of the country. She speaks highly of Global Gaming Women, touting the organization’s leadership training and networking opportunities. She is also on the strategic board of the PENN Women, which bolsters education for women in the company.

“The most rewarding part of my job is figuring out how we can be a better community member,” she says. One point of pride for her is Hollywood Casino’s receipt of the PENN ESG Award for two years in a row, which focuses on environmental, social, and governance efforts.

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Since 2014 WV Living magazine has been honoring West Virginia Wonder Women, amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. WV Living is proud to celebrate these Appalachian mothers, millennials, and mavens proving that in a time full of uncertainty, divisiveness, and hate, love for one another is all we really need. No need for bulletproof bracelets or a golden lasso of truth—these women are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.