Samir Mowad
General Manager and Senior VP | Caesars New Orleans
On Oct. 22, 2024, the $435 million transformation of Harrah’s New Orleans to Caesars New Orleans was celebrated in grand style, complete with Roman goddesses, a second-line and a mayoral proclamation marking the day as Caesars New Orleans Day.
A prominent figure in these celebrations was Samir Mowad, whose 19 years working with Caesars Entertainment includes serving the past four years as general manager of Harrah’s New Orleans. Spanning four city blocks at the foot of Canal Street, Harrah’s has served as the area’s only land-based casino since its opening in 1999.
A native New Orleanian, Mowad attended Christian Brothers, Jesuit and LSU, followed by work and graduate school that led him to Chicago, Kansas City and Omaha. In 2005, he joined Harrah’s New Orleans as the opening manager of Masquerade Nightclub. Following Hurricane Katrina, he moved with the company to the Midwest in a variety of roles, including director of food and beverage, vice president of hospitality, vice president of human resources, assistant general manager and general manager.
As a new era for the reimagined casino officially begins, Mowad will continue to lead the gaming powerhouse into the future.
“As the GM of Caesars New Orleans, I work with my team to oversee all of our gaming and non-gaming operations in the city,” Mowad explained. “In addition to our casino operation, this includes a variety of verticals such as food and beverage, hotel, finance, marketing, audit, security, surveillance, human resources, environmental services and other areas.”
Along with serving as general manager, Mowad also holds the title of senior vice president of Caesars New Orleans. In both roles, he said he values servant leadership.
“There is no way I can begin to individually accomplish everything we need to do in a day in order for us to be successful,” he said. “[But] I can remove barriers for our team members so that they can do their best work. Staying true to that mission of servant leadership is critical.”
Mowad also serves on the boards of the Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association, New Orleans & Company, Business Council of New Orleans, and the Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse for Greater New Orleans.
“I serve on all these boards for a variety of reasons,” he said. “Some are to do my small part to better our city, [and] some are because of my passion for helping others and doing the right thing. These all fulfill me in different ways and give my life balance.”
Mowad emphasized the importance of balance.
“Our business is essentially a three-legged stool where we strive to exceed the expectation of three equally important priorities — the needs of our guests, the needs of our team members and the needs of our business and shareholders,” he said. “That balance also applies to my mindset as the leader of the business. Staying even keeled and trying to always make good decisions is what helps enable my team and our property to have success.”
