About | WPA (Women's Poker Association)

Tara Windsor Smith

Position: President
Location: Mount Dora, FL

Tara Windsor Smith is currently the Director of Business Operations at Faded Spade. Faded Spade provides custom plastic playing cards to casinos and poker rooms globally. In addition, Faded Spade Virtual Poker provides non-profits, small businesses and corporations a virtual poker experience that helps them reach their individual goals with philanthropic fundraising, client engagement, employee connectivity, and brand promotion. Previously Tara was the VP of Sales for Game On CHIPCO, an industry leader in poker & casino gaming chips. Even though Tara has been in the casino industry for over a decade, her love and passion for the game of poker didn’t begin there. When Tara was 5 years old, her grandfather taught her two very important lessons: how to play 5 Card Draw and how to add up her penny, nickel and dime winnings from the dinner table.

In the mid 2000’s Tara was introduced to No Limit Hold’Em. When she was not at the baseball field rooting for her son’s team to win, she was spending her free time practicing NLHE at local bar poker leagues. From there she advanced to the cash games and the tournaments at her local poker room. In 2009, Tara joined forces with the trailblazing organization, Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS).

For 6 years she represented LIPS as their Southeast Director; in this position she focused specifically on introducing new women to poker, coordinating ladies tournaments and cultivating relationships with neighboring poker rooms and casinos. This effort significantly contributed to the ongoing education, awareness, encouragement and continued growth of the female player base in the sunshine state.

“What has been accomplished over the past decade for the recognition and advancement of women in poker, is just absolutely amazing! However, the job isn’t finished yet, and we still have a ton more to accomplish. I am thankful to be in the company of so many amazing, talented, passionate, like minded and intelligent women. An elite group which is made up of players of all levels, advocates, industry professionals and legends”, says Tara.

Tara feels it is vital that all women in this arena, at any stage of their poker journey, always feel welcomed and respected. She feels the global platform that the WPA is creating for all women in poker has already brought huge awareness within our industry, positive changes and forward-thinking initiatives which are being recognized and carried out worldwide.

Tara is an extremely proud mom to her 26-year-old son Cameron. She lives in Mount Dora, Florida with her husband Jarame (who enjoys poker and supports the WPA mission as a proud Purple Tie Guy) and their dog, CoCo the chocolate lab.

AJ Rudolph

Position: Board Member, Vice President
Location: Las Vegas, NV

AJ is the Program Manager for Corporate and Technology at Poker Power. In her 15 year experience of playing poker, she has used those skills to work her way up the corporate ladder in the male-dominated tech field using the leadership skills and confidence that she’s gained through poker.

Being part of the Poker Power team gives her the chance to combine her passion for poker and empowering women.

AJ is married with two young sons and has a Caribbean rescue dog named Lilly.

Kerryjane Craigie

Position: Vice President, International Division
Location: London

Director of Poker Operations for the Hippodrome Casino in London,
Founding member of Hippodrome ED&I steering group & active in staff welfare and Team PokerStars Ambassador for Women in Poker.

Gina LoGalbo

Position: Board Member, Secretary
Location: Flossmor, IL

Lawyer, USMC Veteran and Poker Player

VACANT

Position: Secretary, International Division
Location:

Joyce Alexander

Position: Board Member, Treasurer
Location: Boise, ID

I married my college sweetheart and we have been married for over 31 years. We live in Boise,Idaho. I am the mother of 2 wonderful daughters. I have an amazing son-in-law and one gorgeous granddaughter. I work full-time and my passion is poker!

I play as often as I can. I love the game and I am constantly striving to improve. I love to encourage people, especially women, to get involved in this amazing sport.

Janet Wyvill

Position: Treasurer, International Division
Location:

Christina Black

Position: Board Member
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Christina is originally from Boise, Idaho, but always knew her heart belonged a little closer to those sweet felt tables. Since 2018, she has resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband Zach and their children.

As long as she can remember, poker has always been a family sport. Her Dad took up the game, introduced his children to the competitive drive and patience of the game, and it’s now rooted into their family’s culture.

Since 2014, she had been a consistent player whether at small tournaments in Jackpot or in the big leagues in Vegas. Originally she started as a single mother to help make ends meet, and now she plays because of her fierce competitive nature and the many friends she accumulates along the way.

When not working and raising her family, she can be found at the poker tables! She is passionate about supporting women in poker and is thrilled to be a Board Member and the Raise it Program Manager for the WPA.