As President and CEO of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s Four Winds Casinos, Mary Smith is the first female executive to serve in the role. She has close to 20 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industries and is also a citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana. Smith joined Four Winds Casinos in 2007 and during her tenure held successive roles of increasing responsibility including Financial Analyst, Assistant Property Shift Manager, Property Shift Manager, Director of Hotel Operations, Vice President of Hotel Operations, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations and Development, and Executive Vice President of Casino Operations. She holds a degree in Business from Indiana University in South Bend.
After joining Four Winds in 2007 and holding leadership roles across nearly every area of the organization, including serving as COO, how have these experiences shaped the way you lead today?
It was a tremendous benefit to be a long-time member of our casino operations team from the beginning. I gained technical skills, knowledge and experience on the inner workings of our organization. I also learned best practices and insights from experienced leaders that helped me develop the skills and perspective necessary to lead Four Winds Casinos, both now and into the future. Most importantly, this includes leading and taking care of our number one asset, our employees, who help ensure our continued success.
How would you characterize the full Four Winds portfolio and the distinct role each property plays within the organization?
The Pokagon Band’s Four Winds Casinos have established a standard for gaming and hospitality excellence in the Midwest. Our flagship property is located in New Buffalo, MI, just 60 miles east of Chicago, and our second largest property is located in South Bend, IN. Both New Buffalo and South Bend offer a premium resort-style feel with a full complement of gaming, dining, entertainment, event space and other amenities you’ll find at top resorts. Our smaller satellite properties in Michigan are Four Winds Hartford and Four Winds Dowagiac. Both of these cater to locals while still providing an upscale experience the Four Winds brand is known for.
How has Four Winds evolved over the past two decades, and what aspects of that evolution stand out the most to you?
We are always proactive and engaged in long-term planning with the goal of enhancing the experience for our guests. We opened our first casino resort, Four Winds New Buffalo in 2007, followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013, and Four Winds South Bend in 2018. Each of these properties has received additional amenities and features. Notably, we expanded the hotel and dining options at New Buffalo in 2012, followed by the addition of a swimming pool in 2016. In 2022, we completed the expansion of Four Winds South Bend with a 23-story hotel tower including 317 hotel rooms featuring 83 suites. The gaming floor was also expanded and there is a spa, convention area with a ballroom and meeting space, a cafe, and outdoor swimming pool. We also added a new immersive slot room to Four Winds Hartford earlier this year.
What are your top priorities for Four Winds for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027?
The markets in which we operate are very competitive with the launch of several new casinos. We remain focused on leading the competition while making sure each guest has the best possible experience when visiting our properties. Technology is constantly evolving so we are also looking at implementing some enhancements.
How have changing guest expectations influenced the way Four Winds approaches the overall gaming and hospitality experience?
We are constantly working on new, fresh and updated marketing campaigns and initiatives to better reach all demographics. We have also focused on fulfilling needs in the marketplace by providing amenities that are not widely available in specific geographic locations. For example, years ago we saw a need for more entertainment and event space in South Bend and Northern Indiana. From there we developed Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center at our Four Winds South Bend location. Today, Ribbon Town offers 16 meeting rooms, a ballroom with seating for 600, two pre-function bar areas, a business center, and outdoor pre-function space. In addition to hosting large meetings, conferences, banquets and special events, Ribbon Town also accommodates concerts and live performances. There is nothing like it in the region and it has been very successful.
How is technology changing the way Four Winds operates and engages with guests, and where do you see the greatest opportunities for innovation?
Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, particularly with the advent of AI. We are constantly evaluating how new innovations and technology can improve our operations and the guest experience. Additions like self-service kiosks on the gaming floor have reduced wait times at the cage/cashier and W♣ Players Club. We are also looking at vertical integration to further reduce our operating costs and gain efficiencies.
As a citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, how has this connection shaped your leadership and vision at Four Winds?
I have been actively involved with my tribe my entire life. To have witnessed what we have accomplished is truly remarkable. Our tribal government is always working to meet the needs of Pokagon citizens for the next seven generations. As a key revenue generator for the Pokagon Band, this connection is always top of mind as we position Four Winds Casinos to be competitive, both now and into the future. I believe our ancestors would be proud of what we have accomplished to date.
Your own career demonstrates the opportunity for advancement within the organization. How are you working to create similar career and leadership pathways for the next generation of employees?
Our employees are the key to our success, so it is very important to maintain employee-centric thinking. One of the ways we do that is through our A.C.E.S. program, which is an employee recognition and guest service initiative designed to reward outstanding team members. Incentives include awards and luncheons, cash and prizes, and other employee perks. We also offer a Tribal Development Program, which provides training and coursework for citizens to advance their professional development.
What advice would you offer women pursuing leadership careers in gaming and hospitality?
Gain as much experience as you can on the inner workings of gaming and hospitality. Some of this will be learned from the organizations you serve, but you can also benefit by networking with other professionals in the industry and ask them to share their experiences. Also, select a mentor you can learn from. These steps will provide you with the necessary perspective and insight to take your place at the table and obtain roles of increasing responsibility.
