– USA, NV – Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN) announced that it has expanded its board to 11 members, with the appointment of Betsy Atkins, Dee Dee Myers and Wendy Webb as independent directors, effective immediately.
The appointments, which were made after a lengthy search by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with the assistance of a search firm, involved interviews of solely independent candidates and advances the Company’s commitment to diversify the gender, skills and experience of the Board. These independent directors strengthen the Board’s expertise in corporate governance, communications and public affairs, technology, strategic positioning, hospitality and branding.
The Wynn Resorts Board now comprises 36% women, bringing Wynn into the top 40 S&P 500 companies in terms of female board representation.
“We are pleased to welcome Betsy, Dee Dee and Wendy to the Wynn Resorts Board of Directors following a thorough search process that included input from shareholders and an independent executive search firm” said D. Boone Wayson, Chairman of the Wynn Resorts Board of Directors. “We are confident that their extensive and wide-ranging expertise will provide fresh and valuable perspectives to support the Company’s leadership team and business strategy.”
“To be clear, this is the first step in our effort to refresh the Board” said Wayson. “We intend to add additional new directors in the coming months. The Board is committed to enhancing value for our shareholders, delivering superior experiences for customers and creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all of the Company’s employees.”
Matt Maddox, Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts, said, “I am thrilled to welcome these highly qualified independent directors to our Board. We have made it a priority to implement meaningful change at Wynn Resorts and are committed to elevating our corporate governance practices and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. In addition to strengthening our Board, these appointments make Wynn a global leader in board diversity. These appointments signify a turning point for us, and I look forward to working with each of our new directors as we usher in a new era at Wynn.”
The new additions to the Board and resulting change in board composition are part of a series of significant strategic changes made by the Company. As previously announced, the Board has launched an internal investigation, led by a third-party law firm, into the Company’s awareness and response to allegations regarding its former CEO, Steve Wynn.
About Betsy Atkins
Betsy Atkins is recognized as an expert in corporate governance and digital transformation, consumer experience and technology. Her corporate governance experience is extensive and includes technology, retail, financial services, healthcare, restaurants and hospitality, automotive and logistics. Ms. Atkins is a published author, her work on Corporate Governance includes: The Financial Times, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Business Insider and Forbes.
Ms. Atkins is a three-time CEO, serial entrepreneur and founder of Baja Corporation, an independent venture capital firm focused on technology, renewable energy and healthcare, which made early investments in companies such as Yahoo, eBay and Selectica. Previously she was CEO of NCI, a creator and manufacturer of nutraceutical foods, such as PowerBar. Ms. Atkins was also CEO of Clear Standards, which developed enterprise level software for energy management and sustainability.
Ms. Atkins currently serves on the boards of Cognizant, SL Green Realty and Schneider Electric, and is a member of the board of Volvo Cars (private).
About Dee Dee Myers
Margaret (Dee Dee) Myers has extensive experience in corporate responsibility, communications and corporate and public positioning.
Ms. Myers is an executive at Warner Bros. Entertainment, where she is Executive Vice President for Worldwide Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. She leads the company’s strategic communications, positioning, corporate responsibility and philanthropy programs. Ms. Myers has consulted extensively in strategic and crisis communications and reputation management.
Ms. Myers was the first woman to serve as White House Press Secretary during President Bill Clinton’s first term. She has worked as an analyst, commentator and writer, as well as a contributing editor for Vanity Fair.
Her New York Times bestseller Why Women Should Rule The World (2009, Harper Perennial) makes the solid case for female leadership in business, politics and communities, and her frequent appearances on broadcast and cable television, radio and in print, including as co-host of CNBC’s program “Equal Time,” ensured women’s opinions were heard in Washington.
About Wendy Webb
Winifred (Wendy) Webb has significant industry experience in travel and tourism, hospitality, media and entertainment, retailing, consumer products, e-commerce and other sectors. She is CEO of Kestrel Advisors, which advises corporations on growth initiatives, governance, investor relations and strategic issues.
Her background includes 20 years as a senior executive at The Walt Disney Company, including as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Shareholder Services, responsible for the company’s strategic and financial communications worldwide. Ms. Webb also served as Executive Director of The Walt Disney Company Foundation, supporting the company’s philanthropy and brand-building. She also held C-suite positions at e-commerce leader Ticketmaster and investment firm Tennenbaum Capital Partners.
Ms. Webb is currently a director of ABM Industries, where she serves on the Audit Committee and Strategy and Risk Committee, and is on the board of 9 Spokes, a software company. Previously, she was on the board of TiVo and of Jack In The Box, serving on the Finance and Audit Committees and chairing a Corporate Governance Committee. She is co-chair of nonprofit organization Women Corporate Directors (WCD) in Los Angeles.
About Wynn Resorts
Wynn Resorts, Limited is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol WYNN and is part of the S&P 500 Index. Wynn Resorts owns and operates Wynn Las Vegas (wynnlasvegas.com), Wynn Macau (wynnmacau.com) and Wynn Palace, Cotai (wynnpalace.com).
Wynn and Encore Las Vegas feature two luxury hotel towers with a total of 4,750 spacious hotel rooms, suites and villas, approximately 192,000 square feet of casino space, 22 dining experiences featuring signature chefs and 11 bars, two award-winning spas, approximately 290,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, approximately 110,000 square feet of retail space as well as two showrooms; three nightclubs, a beach club and recreation and leisure facilities. A luxury retail Strip-front expansion, Wynn Plaza, is currently under construction and is scheduled to debut in the second half of 2018.
Wynn Macau is a luxury hotel and casino resort located in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China with two luxury hotel towers with a total of 1,008 spacious rooms and suites, approximately 273,000 square feet of casino space, casual and fine dining in eight restaurants, approximately 31,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, approximately 59,000 square feet of retail space, and recreation and leisure facilities including two opulent spas, a salon and a rotunda show.
Wynn Palace is a luxury integrated resort in Macau. Designed as a floral-themed destination, it boasts 1,706 exquisite rooms, suites and villas, approximately 420,000 square feet of casino space, 11 food and beverage outlets, approximately 37,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, approximately 106,000 square feet of designer retail, SkyCabs that traverse an eight-acre Performance Lake, an extensive collection of rare art, a lush spa, salon and recreation and leisure facilities.
Wynn Resorts is currently constructing Wynn Boston Harbor located in Everett, Massachusetts.
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