Taryn Duffy might just be the most connected professional in Westchester. As vice president of corporate communications and public affairs at Empire City Casino, Yonkers’ largest private employer, Duffy has built an elaborate network. She sits on Mayor Spano’s Yonkers Women’s Advisory Board and serves on the boards of the Business Council of Westchester, ArtsWestchester, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, among others.
“It enables me to connect with other businesses and organizations to discuss what’s affecting the community and how we can all come together to help,” Duffy says of her myriad commitments.
Duffy excels on-site, too. She oversees public relations for the sprawling casino and plays a key role navigating the realms of government affairs and public policy. The latest project she’s working on may be her biggest to date: “We’re currently in the process of being acquired by MGM Resorts International, and the vision for our nearly 100-acre property is incredibly bright,” Duffy says. “It’s a very exciting time.”
“It enables me to connect with other businesses and organizations to discuss what’s affecting the community and how we can all come together to help.”
Duffy also tackles community-centric projects, like launching the casino’s Employee Volunteer program: Staff take time to collect coats and toys, wrap gifts for children, and more — all while at work.
Her work is that much more impressive when you consider the competition: Empire City needs to compete not only with casinos upstate but also those to the east, in Connecticut. But with Duffy’s help, Empire more than holds its own. “[We have] more than eight million annual visitors, and nearly 1,200 employees on our team,” she says.
