With over 12 years of experience in the industry, Denise is still sometimes surprised to find herself one of the few women in the room. As Chief of Legal and Business Operations Officer at Yggdrasil, she has contributed to strengthening how the company operates across legal, strategic, and operational priorities.
“I’m proudest of the trust I’ve earned and the foundations we have built at Yggdrasil, because those are what allow a business to scale sustainably.”
For Denise, success isn’t luck. At Yggdrasil, she found leaders who encouraged her and pushed her beyond her comfort zone. She believes it is crucial for organisations to push, support and create space for women to grow.
“I found that at Yggdrasil. I had leaders who believed in me, invested in my development, and connected me with the right mentors at the right time. That made all the difference.”
Although the iGaming industry has seen a progressive growth in female leadership, too many organisations still operate within biases and structures that prevent women from reaching the top. For Denise, true competition for senior roles should come down to competence, integrity and strategic thinking, not gender.
Besides breaking down biases and outdated structures, Denise adds that it is important to give visibility to women in senior roles, showing others that “it’s possible to lead with ambition and professionalism while staying true to who you are beyond the role.”
Motherhood adds another dimension. According to research from the University of Essex, one in five working women has missed out on a professional opportunity because they became mothers. However, for Denise, becoming a mother has not been a limitation, but rather an opportunity to shape her priorities and force her to be intentional with her time. She thinks that companies that support mothers at seniors levels reveal maturity, modern leadership and strong governance. 
Denise adds that in her experience: “when women are meaningfully represented at the decision-making table, the conversation becomes more disciplined, and outcome driven. Because inclusion is not about optics, it’s about building stronger businesses together”.
As the iGaming industry continues to evolve, so must its leadership. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who lead not only teams and strategies, but families and futures.
At Yggdrasil, we are proud to foster a culture where women at every level are supported to grow and succeed. Because talent, ambition, and performance know no gender; and when women succeed, businesses do too.
