Major players in the prediction market space continued bolstering their operations this week with several key hires.
Each week, SBC Americas highlights the latest hires and promotions shaping North America’s gaming industry.
Underdog hires former Kalshi employee
Underdog is supplementing its entry into the prediction market space by hiring former early Kalshi executive Noah Zingler-Sternig as director of markets.
“The companies that will define this space long-term are the ones that know how to navigate changing regulatory structures, have a genuine obsession with building great products, backed by a record of doing so, and have a user base that already trusts them. Underdog hits all three markers, and I’d argue no one surpasses the company in any of the three categories,” said Zingler-Sternig in an X post.
Zingler-Sternig joins Underdog after serving as head of operations at Kalshi.
His expertise in prediction markets extends to the establishment of 5c(c) Capital, a venture capital firm that specializes in prediction markets. The VC firm intends to raise $35m to invest in prediction market companies and has already garnered monetary support from Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour and Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan.
Zingler-Sternig is also a partner at New York-based investment firm UFO Holdings.
High Roller Technologies hires for new role
On Wednesday, High Roller Technologies appointed Thomas Scaria as the company’s chief product officer, making the CFA the first person to assume the role.
High Roller created the position as it solidifies a footprint in the U.S. prediction market space with plans to continue investing in real-money consumer products.
“Thomas brings a rare combination of product leadership, financial markets expertise, technical understanding, and entrepreneurial experience that is highly relevant to the next phase of High Roller’s growth,” said High Roller CEO Seth Young.
“As we advance toward the launch of the ROLR prediction markets platform domestically and internationally, disciplined product strategy and execution will be critical. The creation of the chief product officer position reflects that priority, and we are pleased to welcome Thomas to our leadership team.”
In his new role, Scaria will develop and oversee the company’s international and domestic prediction market operations while ensuring the platform remains compliant.
Scaria joins High Roller after spending nearly six years at blockchain-focused asset management company Lore as CEO and founder. His experience in fintech also extends to stints at investment firm Polychain Capital and financial services company Wyre.
Polymarket adds new executive to team
Coplan announced Wednesday that the New York-based prediction market giant has hired Travis VanderZanden as chief growth officer.
“When it comes to growing marketplaces, nobody does it better. This time with software instead of hardware. Welcome to the team,” said Coplan in an X post.
VanderZanden’s experience as an executive includes a stop at ride-sharing giants Lyft and Uber. At Lyft, he served as chief operating officer. Meanwhile, he spent two years at Uber as vice president of global drive growth. In 2017, VanderZanden founded micromobility company Bird Global, Inc., where he spent just over six years as chairman.
Mohegan makes promotion within legal team
Mohegan promoted Kristi Hanney to vice president, deputy general counsel on Monday after she previously served as the company’s senior corporate counsel. Hanney is responsible for overseeing the operation of Mohegan’s legal department in her new role.
She will also support legal initiatives across the company’s entire portfolio of properties.
“Kristi has been a major part of our legal team and a trusted advisor on some of the most important transactions in Mohegan’s recent history,” said Mohegan Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel Joseph Lobe.
“Her leadership, expertise, and collaborative approach have been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to recognize her contributions and look forward to her continued impact now as vice president, deputy general counsel.”
Hanney’s legal experience also includes stops at Louden Legal Group and Mariani Reck Lane.
