- University of Arizona
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Morago is skilled in budgeting, event planning, customer service, strategic planning, team building, event management, public speaking, leadership, direct marketing and community outreach.
The purpose of OIGA is to educate and disseminate information to the tribal, federal and state governments and the general public on issues relating to tribal government gaming.
In 2015 alone, Oklahoma Tribal Government Gaming Operations spent $363m on capital improvements, creating an estimated 2,768 jobs and earnings of almost $124m in the construction industry. Tribal Government Gaming direct output was also $4.75bn in 2015, representing 3% of private production in the Oklahoma economy.
AWARDS
Sheila Morago was nominated for American Executive of the Year at the 2021 Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas.
EMPLOYMENT
Morago became the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) in 2011, a position she still holds today.
Prior to her role as Executive Director for OIGA, Morago was Executive Director for the Arizona Indian Gaming Association from 2004 to 2011.
Between 2001 and 2004, she served as the Director of Public Relations for the National Indian Gaming Association (IGA).
Morago began her career in tribal gaming in 1994 when she was appointed Director of Marketing for the Gila River Casinos. Before joining AIGA, she was VP of National Relations for Initial Impressions based in Tempe, Arizona, where she was responsible for all political and public relations for tribal and non-tribal clients.
PRODUCTS LAUNCHED
In 2008, OIGA established the John Marley Scholarship Fund to provide educational opportunities for OIGA member employees and their families. The John Marley Scholarship Fund is dedicated to the
search for knowledge and the provision of scholarships for eligible individuals in order to attend accredited colleges, universities and trade schools in Oklahoma or other states.
The John Marley Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for tribal gaming industry employees and members of their families who meet certain minimum requirements.
Recipients are selected by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Native American Students Services Department.
“You, as tribal members, are your best lobbyists. There is nobody you can hire in Washington DC who knows the issue better than you do, or can talk about it better than you do.” Sheila Morago
Interviews and public speeches
Sheila Morago sat down with Gaming America in an interview during Oklahoma Gaming’s attendance at G2E2022.
