From bingo to the Bellagio, Elaine Wynn’s life hasn’t followed what one might term a “conventional” path. 

She and her now-ex-husband Steve Wynn were introduced by their fathers when both were very young. They started their lives together running Steve’s father’s bingo business; a series of opportunities took them to Las Vegas, where they built some of the most famous resorts in that city. Elaine was inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame in 1999.

Despite a very successful life, Elaine never lost focus on equity for those less fortunate. She’s particularly interested in the lives of children, helping children affected by poverty gain access to support through the organization Communities in Schools (CIS). CIS recognizes that children can’t succeed in school if they aren’t safe, nurtured, well-fed, and empowered — ideals that so mirrored Elaine’s own that she founded CIS Nevada.  

Elaine has served in many governmental and organizational positions, always with the aim of finding ways to help people thrive. She’s been incredibly generous with her time, intelligence, and money, and her beliefs about morality and ethics are reflected in her service to others.

We hope you’ll listen to the brilliant Elaine Wynn as she and Charlie muse on the urgency of climate change, leadership, community service vs individualism, philanthropy and power, access to resources, the necessity of art, and so much more. 

You can find out more about Elaine Wynn on her profile page on the Communities in Schools website.