Kellie de Celis on Leadalita banduding Change in Poker & Empowering Women

Kellie de Celis is a woman on a mission.

In 2014, the Louisiana native made history as Atlantic City’s first female director of poker operations. More than ten years later, she’s still at Borgata and still leading the charge.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” de Celis tells PokerNews, quoting her favorite line from activist Marian Wright Edelman. "Representation in leadership is transformative. Just by being here, I challenge outdated norms and show that poker truly is for everyone."

Poker isfor everyone. No one should disagree with de Celis on that. But walk into almost any card room across the country, and that's not the picture you'll see.

"Despite equal interest online, women remain underrepresented in live poker, often due to stereotypes, lack of visibility, and intimidating environments," de Celis says. (For context, PokerStars recently estimated that only 3% of their live players are women.¹)

And if there’s someone more qualified to make that call, good luck finding them.

Finding a Seat at the Table

Before she was running the room, de Celis lived it from every angle. A former 'Borgata Babe', table game dealer, and player, she worked nearly every job on the casino floor before returning to her old stomping ground in 2014, when her focus, as she puts it, "shifted from playing to leading."

"My casino career started in the South," she says. "Moving to New Jersey to help open Borgata was a culture shock, but it’s where I fell in love with the game as a player first."

But it wasn’t always easy.

"I set a goal to become the first woman in Atlantic City history to serve as Director of Poker Operations"

"As a woman in my 20s entering a male-dominated poker room, I often felt like I didn’t belong. My decisions were questioned, not due to lack of knowledge, but because I didn’t fit the expected mold."

"The turning point came when I chose to lead with patience and empathy," de Celis says. "I built trust through consistency, fairness, and deep rule knowledge. Over time, I found my place by standing strong in who I was."

For de Celis, that place was clear from almost the beginning.

"I set a goal to become the first woman in Atlantic City history to serve as Director of Poker Operations," she says. "It’s been a journey built on instinct, growth, and embracing every opportunity."

Even with such a clear goal, it’s hard not to be astonished at how perfectly it’s all turned out. For lack of a better word, it feels almost manifested.

Building a Poker Room For Everyone

De Celis has no intention of squandering the role she manifested all those years ago. As she tells PokerNews, her mission is to ensure more women feel they belong at the table too.

"At Borgata, I’m actively changing that," she says.

Together with her team, de Celis has launched several initiatives aimed at opening up poker rooms to women, including the Ladies Brunch, the Pink Chip Game, and a Valentine’s Day Tag Team event.

"Poker is evolving, and there's space at the table for all."

There’s a particular focus on representation beyond the felt, too.

"When women see themselves in decision-making roles, it builds confidence among players and team members alike," she says. "It sends a clear message: poker is evolving, and there's space at the table for all. I aim to normalize women’s leadership in poker and help create a more inclusive, dynamic game."

And it’s not just lip service, it’s really working.

"After a Ladies Tournament, a young woman approached me and said she’d never set foot in a live poker room before," de Celis says. "Seeing me in a leadership role and playing alongside other women gave her the confidence to take that first step. She didn’t win, but she left inspired and planned to return."

"That moment reminded me that inclusion isn’t just about numbers, it’s about empowerment. Creating space for people who didn’t think they belonged is the most meaningful win of all."

Sit Down Like You Belong, Because You Do

When asked what advice she’d give to a woman walking into a poker room for the first time, de Celis is unequivocal: "You belong."

And when it comes to building confidence at the table, she has plenty of practical tips to share, too.

"Start by observing. Learn the rhythm, rules, and table dynamics. Knowledge builds confidence. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The dealers and floor staff are there to help."

"Trust your instincts, play at your own pace, and connect with supportive communities, whether in person or online. There’s strength in showing up, and even more in continuing to come back. You’ve got this."

Wondering which game to start with?De Celis has a clear recommendation.

"No-Limit Texas Hold’em is the best starting point. It’s widely played, easy to learn, and supported by countless resources and communities. Starting in a low-stakes or ladies-only setting helps ease the learning curve and builds confidence in a more welcoming environment."

Poker as a Blueprint for Life

De Celis is also passionate about emphasizing the wider life skills poker can build for young women.

"Poker teaches patience, emotional awareness, and calculated risk-taking, all of which I rely on daily," she says. "Reading people is essential, whether it's addressing player concerns or supporting my team. And risk-taking? It’s what brought me here."

"From leaving Borgata to pursue dealing, to going back to school while working full-time. Poker doesn’t just influence my life, it’s become the blueprint for how I lead."

"Representation matters, and at Borgata, we’re creating a room where women feel seen, supported, and inspired to play," de Celis says.

But when it comes to the final word, it belongs to someone even closer to home: her mother.

"My mother was my biggest inspiration. She encouraged me to lead boldly and uplift others. Her strength lives on in how I lead today."