A former congressional staffer who transitioned into the casino industry and now oversees two of the most luxurious hotels on the Las Vegas Strip is set to be considered for a gaming license next week.

Ayesha Molino, 44, currently holds the position of president and chief operating officer of Aria casino-hotel and Vdara, a non-gaming hotel on the Strip. She also serves as the chief public affairs officer for MGM Resorts International, the operator of both properties.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board will review Molino’s application for a key casino executive license at their upcoming public meeting on Oct. 9.

Molino has been in her current roles since November, according to reports from MGM. Prior to joining the casino giant, she worked as a policy advisor and chief counsel for the late Sen. Harry Reid from 2011 to 2017. She also served as international trade counsel for former Sen. Max Baucus on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee from 2007 to 2011.

After Reid retired from the Senate, Molino stayed in Washington, D.C. and took on a lobbying position as senior vice president of government affairs for MGM Resorts.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, history, and religious studies from the University of California, Riverside, as well as a law degree from George Washington University Law School, according to her MGM biography.

Molino is actively involved with MGM, serving on the audit committee and the nomination, environmental, social, and governance committee.

For more information, contact David Danzis at ddanzis@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0378. Follow AC2Vegas_Danzis on X.