About Us
The Women’s Poker Association (WPA) is a global, all-volunteer community dedicated to celebrating and elevating women in poker. Our mission is to heighten the exposure of current female poker players while encouraging new women to join this exciting game.
We actively advocate for women in poker, striving to bridge the gap between players and the industry by initiating meaningful conversations and creating opportunities to enhance the poker experience.
At the heart of the WPA is our core four programs: Advocates Program, Player of the Year Program, Final Table Celebration Program, and Raise It Up Program. Each one is designed to support and promote women in poker:
Through these initiatives, the WPA aims to inspire more women to participate in poker, achieve success, and enjoy the game at both amateur and professional levels. Join us in our mission to create a supportive and inclusive environment where women can thrive in the world of poker.
Our Sponsors
Our Partnerships
Board of Directors
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Tara Windsor Smith
Position: President
Location: Mount Dora, FL
Tara Windsor Smith is the Director of Business Operations at Faded Spade, a company known for providing custom plastic playing cards to casinos and poker rooms worldwide. Her career in the casino industry spans nearly two decades, including her previous role as VP of Sales for Game On CHIPCO, a leader in poker and casino gaming chips.
Tara’s love for poker began early—learning 5 Card Draw from her grandfather at the age of five. In 2009, she joined the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) as Southeast Director, dedicating six years to growing the female player base through tournaments, outreach, and advocacy.
A passionate supporter of women in poker, Tara is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive space for all women at every stage of their poker journey. She’s proud to be part of the WPA’s mission to elevate and empower women in the game.
Tara lives in Mount Dora, Florida with her husband Jarame, their chocolate lab CoCo, and their boxer Beaux. She is a proud mom to her 28-year-old son, Cameron, who shares her love for poker—a passion she was proud to pass down to him.
AJ Rudolph
Position: Board Member, Vice President
Location: Las Vegas, NV
AJ Rudolph has been playing poker for nearly 20 years, bringing a deep love for the game and a sharp strategic mind to everything she does. Professionally, AJ is a Senior Product Manager in the software industry, known for her leadership in building innovative, high-impact solutions. She also stays active in the poker community as the Community Manager for JakaCoaching and offers poker coaching in her spare time.
AJ lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and two sons. Whether she’s mentoring players, managing products, or supporting women in poker, AJ brings passion, experience, and a commitment to making a difference.
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
Gina started her love affair with NLHE in 2021 thanks to WPA Vice-President AJ Rudolph, her first teacher of the game and local mom-friend. Gina and her daughter learned NLHE together through an online-based Poker Power mother/ daughter class, and Gina has since become a self-described recreational NHLE superfan. She’s very appreciative of her other Poker Power teachers who were instrumental in her learning and improving her game.
In 2023 she had a life-changing experience as one of 20+ military veterans chosen by poker pros Angela Jordison and Jacki Burkhart to receive a trip to Las Vegas and entry into the WSOP Salute to Warriors tournament, and where her love of the game was solidified. She is also grateful to Kirk Fallah from Homewood, Illinois, for helping her NLHE growth and hosting women-friendly poker games.
Gina has made several final tables of charity tournaments, Vegas dailies, and in 2024 achieved her goal of making it onto TheHendonMob.com. She enjoys sharing her love of NLHE with her community as a student-teacher with AJ, spending date nights playing NLHE with her husband, Joe, and collecting poker themed merch, especially vintage clothes. She is excited join the WPA North America Board and support its mission.
Gina is mom to Ivan, Sofia, Blake, and Lazaro, who support her love of NLHE but would rather play Uno. Gina is a municipal attorney by day, a proud US Marine Corps Veteran, and active in her community.
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.
Ilana Belsky
Position: Board Member, International Division
Location:
Rita Sherrill
Position: Board Member
Location:
Rebbecca Scales
Position: Board Member, International Division
Location:
Suzanne Malavet
Position: Board Member
Location: Atlanta, GA
Suzanne Malavet is a dedicated poker player and passionate advocate for women in the game. A longtime member of the Women’s Poker Association (WPA) since its inception, she became a WPA Advocate in 2023, championing the growth of women’s poker.
With 15-20 years of experience at the tables, Suzanne began traveling for poker in 2021, quickly making her mark. Her biggest achievement to date came in the 2023 WSOP Ladies Event, where she placed 4th out of 1,295 entries—the largest women’s event in history. Notably, it was also the first $1,000 buy-in event she personally funded, having previously secured her entry into the 2022 $1,100 WPT Women’s Championship through a $200 satellite.
Beyond poker, Suzanne is a CPA with a sharp mind for numbers and strategy. She’s also the proud “fun aunt” to two nephews and a niece, introducing them to the game early as their self-proclaimed “bad influence.” Whether at the tables or mentoring the next generation, Suzanne is committed to growing the game and proving that skill and perseverance pay off.
VACANT
Position: Board Member, International Division
Location: