Governor Tom Wolf recently appointed Sara Manzano-Diaz to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), and her appointment is now official.

She is the first Latina to ever serve on the board. 

"As the first Latina Commissioner, this appointment allows me to break barriers in nontraditional roles for Latinas," Manzano-Diaz told AL DÍA.

"I hope that seeing me will encourage and inspire other Latinas to realize that perceptions are changing. Our collective talent, capacity and qualifications, demonstrates that Latinas can serve and positively contribute at the highest echelon of government and business in America," she continued. 

Gov. Wolf praised her extensive dedication and commitment as a leader throughout her career. 

“Sara is a dedicated and accomplished public servant who has extensive leadership experience in federal and state government,” he said in a press release. “I’m confident that she will be an asset to the Gaming Control Board.”

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is guided by the Gaming Act and supported by a dedicated professional staff aimed to protect the interest of the public by ensuring the integrity of legalized gaming. 

It does so through strict enforcement of the law and regulations, the licensing of qualified individuals and entities, and fulfilling the objectives of legalized gaming in the Commonwealth, which is to deliver a significant source of revenue, assist the horse racing industry, provide broad economic opportunities and enhance tourism. 

Pennsylvania has the second largest legalized gaming jurisdiction in the United States after Nevada.

Manzano-Diaz had recently served as executive deputy attorney general for public protection. 

Prior to that role, Manzano-Diaz has held multiple executive leadership and legal counsel positions, including with the U.S. Department of Labor, Pennsylvania Department of State, New Jersey Department of Treasury, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

She is also a member of Governor Wolf’s Commission for Women, which advises on policies and legislation that impact women through economic and civic support opportunities, mentoring programs, the benefit and advancement of women, and providing resources for Pennsylvania women. 

Manzano-Diaz is a graduate of Boston University, and earned a juris doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law.