ABOUT US
MEET THE TEAM
TODD STRUSZ, Owner & CEO
Todd is recognized as an industry leader and as one of the most innovative thinkers in the casino marketing world. As a former Vice President of Marketing with Grand Casino Hinckley and Mille Lacs, Director of Marketing at Treasure Island and Lake of the Torches casinos, Todd has more than 25 years experience in gaming. Todd’s results-oriented approach to marketing shapes ROI’s reasoned, strategic and data-driven philosophy. An expert in all areas of casino marketing and operations, he specializes in strategic and long-range planning constantly focused on maximizing our client’s performance.
NIKKI DORAU, Vice President of Casino Marketing
Nikki has more than 20 years of Indian gaming experience, including 12 years at Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minn. She has held positions such as Director of Marketing, Director of Database Services and Account Supervisor, among others. Her areas of specialty include database management, player development, Players Club programs, guest services, strategic oversight, budgeting, promotions and communications. Nikki’s focus is anchored on long-term profitability, which is evidenced by the success of her clients.
DIANE RISTAU, Vice President of Learning & Development
Diane has 20 years experience working with Native American enterprises, with a focus on the gaming industry. Her expertise includes comprehensive talent management services that support Tribes in maximizing programs and processes, and overall performance of individuals and teams including human resources, guest service, technical job skills and leadership training resources. Additional areas of specialty include customer and employee focus groups, organizational development, employee on-boarding, recruitment, course development and facilitation, performance measurement and overall employee performance improvement. Diane has been a regular speaker at gaming and leadership conferences, including National Indian Gaming Association’s annual conference. She has a master’s degree in Business Administration.
CARRIE BEAUDETTE, Vice President of Organizational Development
Carrie’s distinguished career has spanned 25+ years, including 17 years experience with Native American entities. She has developed and facilitated comprehensive training and development programs across all areas of casino operations, including a strong focus on creating a strategic player development program. Her specialty is leadership and staff development with an emphasis on direct sales, guest service and marketing. Carrie’s dynamic facilitation style engages participants and ensures they apply what is learned long after training. She has been a regular speaker at gaming and leadership conferences, including National Indian Gaming Association’s annual conference. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education.
LENA SCULLARD, FACILITATOR & TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNER
Lena has been working in Native American gaming since 2001, where she began her career as a front-line guest service representative and later moved into leadership before finding her passion in performance consulting and training. For over a decade, she has honed her consulting and design skills and built her reputation as a training expert. She is dedicated to the science of learning, creating programs that have lasting impact, because she creates memorable and emotional connections, challenges participants to take action and be accountable, and she provides applicable tools and strategies to help them succeed. She is also talented in utilizing technology to ensure programs can be implemented seamlessly and in a way that connects with today’s audiences. She holds Bachelor's degrees in Theater and English Literature, giving her unique approaches in her design. She has earned several certifications in facilitation and as well as an Instructional Design certificate from the Bob Pike Group.
TAMI MURPHY, Senior Human Resources Strategist
Tami Murphy is a proven Strategic Sr. Human Resources professional with hands-on progressive experience in all areas of Human Resource responsibilities along with high-caliber cross-functional qualifications and proven multi-site leadership talents for both private and public companies. Since spending 17 years in a fortune 50 company, Tami’s experience has grown to include multiple industries including retail and manufacturing where she has successfully completed major projects in creating, building, growing, and directing HR departments. She delivers innovative, instinctual, and insightful solutions with a deep empathy for employee needs and the ability to effectively reach people at all levels of the organization.
Highly experienced in providing a comprehensive suite of strategic people solutions to growing enterprises. Some of the projects she has led include:
• Employee handbook - development, updating, editing, and formatting
• HR Compliance – EEOC, ADA, AA, IRS, Federal, and State
• HR Policy and Procedures – development and updating
• Creating, administering & analyzing surveys (i.e. engagement, training, gap analysis, etc.)
• Training – development of individual and organization training programs – all levels
• Performance Management – Training, consulting, performance improvement plans
• HRIS – Implementation and rollout of multiple platforms
• Compensation – development, and restructuring
• HR department development and restructuring
• Coaching
• Metrics – development, tracking, and analysis of HR metrics and dashboards of KPI’s
As a visionary and creative problem solver, Tami’s goal is to bring innovation to meet the growing challenges in today’s workforce.
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Tami has her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and most recently received her Certification in Employment Law from Mitchell Hamlin School of Law. She is also certified in HR and Internal investigations.
DAVE MCMILLAN, Marketing Strategist
Dave has more than 15 years of casino marketing experience with an emphasis on advertising, media, PR strategy and promotions. Prior to joining the ROI team, Dave was the Advertising Manager and Copywriter at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, a high school English teacher, Media Relations Director for Minor League baseball teams and a newspaper reporter. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University.
KRISTINE TORKELSON, Marketing Strategist
Kristine’s career started at Grand Casino Hinckley in marketing focused on database marketing including direct mail, promotions and events. She then moved into the agency side with the ROI team as an overall marketing strategist with her areas of specialty being in project management, direct mail, and event and promotion development. Her experience also includes over two years as a direct marketing specialist in the financial services world working for a retirement planning agency specializing in acquisition via direct mail, radio and event channels.