The gaming sector has changed immensely over time, not just in terms of technology and innovation but also in diversity and representation. While it seems to remain a male-dominated field, women are climbing up the ranks to take up leadership and creative positions, and they are taking gaming as a whole to new heights.
To explore the challenges of women in this space on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2025, we at GamingonPhone spoke to nine inspiring industry professionals about their experiences, the obstacles they’ve faced, and their advice for the next generation of women in gaming.
Inspiration to Pursue a Gaming Industry Career
For Lígia Gonçalves, Founder & CEO of Walkme Mobile Solutions, the love for programming and gaming started in childhood. Her journey began in 2013 with a simple mobile trivia game created with friends, which turned into a thriving career. “I totally fell in love with the gaming industry, and I’m still here, loving every second of it!” she shares.
Sarah D. Espinoza, Senior UX Researcher at Aristocrat, was drawn to gaming through storytelling and world-building. “Games have always been a way for me to connect with stories in a way no other medium allows,” she says. The idea of creating experiences where people could escape and explore was the driving force behind her career choice.
For Valentina Bailly, Team Lead of Sales at Gamelight, it was the excitement of working on consumer-oriented products and technological innovation that brought her into gaming. Having grown up playing classics like Prince of Persia and Chip ‘n Dale, she now enjoys being part of an industry that constantly evolves, adapting to trends and new technologies like AI, cloud gaming, and advanced tools.
Maryna Bondarenko, Business Development Manager at Miniclip and Women in Games Ambassador, found her way into gaming unexpectedly. “In 2019, while working at an AdTech company, I was offered a role in the gaming industry and had just ten days to prepare for my first gaming conference. That moment marked the beginning of my journey in the gaming industry, and I’ve been passionate about it ever since,” she recalls.
“I’ve always been drawn to industries where creativity meets data, and gaming is the perfect blend of both”, says Ada Mockute Jaime, Chief Marketing Officer at Nordcurrent. Seeing its scale and impact, from bringing people together to shaping technology interactions, solidified her decision to be part of it. The ever-evolving nature of gaming keeps her work both exciting and challenging.
Nordcurrent CEO, Victoria Trofimova, sees gaming as “something special” that blends creativity with cutting-edge technology. Like movies, many games feature complex characters and gripping storylines, which fascinated her from an early age. Although video games weren’t as accessible as they are today, through her father’s work, she had the opportunity to experience them early on, thus igniting the passion.
“I’ve always loved the idea of creating fun moments and experiences for people,” Catarina Costa, Senior Product Manager, Performance at Scopely, answers. She is driven by seeing a team’s work come to life, enjoyed by millions, build communities, and bring joy. For those excited by that impact, she believes the gaming industry is the perfect place to be.
Sharon Fisher, Global Head of Trust and Safety at Keyword Studios, tells us that her gaming journey began unexpectedly when she became a Spanish moderator for Club Penguin. “Right then, I found a passion to create safe and inclusive online spaces while making a real impact,” she adds, while now committed to shaping an industry where players and teams feel protected, respected, and empowered.
For Zeynep Balkan, Partner at Janus Interactive and Strategic Advisor at Hungri Games, her love for gaming started in primary school when she would skip classes to play in game cafes. “I was the only girl there”, she recalls. A friend’s question during university GTA sessions “why not work in gaming?” led her to realize the industry lacked female leaders. Driven by ambition and anger as her biggest inspirations, she took the leap.
Challenges as a Woman in a Male-dominated Field
While their love for gaming brought them into the industry, each of these women has faced unique challenges along the way.
Lígia recalls how people often assumed she worked in marketing instead of being a founder. “The way I got through it was by trusting myself, believing in what I could do, and letting my work speak for itself.”
Sarah faced microaggressions and assumptions that made her question how she was perceived. “The good news is that the industry is evolving,” she notes. “More women are leading and shaping gaming in ways that weren’t common before.”
Valentina, however, has a more optimistic perspective. “To be honest, I haven’t personally faced challenges due to being a woman. I see more and more women leading gaming studios and working in development and coding. The industry isn’t about gender; it’s about interest, experience, and ambition.”
For Maryna, competing in a predominantly male environment meant she had to prove herself constantly. “Your skills and expertise need to be on par, or even exceed those of your peers to be taken seriously.”
Ada highlights the challenge of overcoming the deeply ingrained stereotype of who a “real gamer” is. With the industry historically shaped by hardcore players, often male, there can be an unspoken expectation to fit that mold.
Victoria reflects on the early days of founding Nordcurrent, where creating a workplace and navigating the industry required a strong drive. She believes that once momentum is built, the challenges are not so different from those faced by anyone. “I may have been lucky in finding partners that have been overwhelmingly supportive and encouraging,” she says, expressing gratitude for that.
Catarina notes that the gaming industry is still male-dominated, making it harder for women to envision their place, especially in leadership roles. “We need more diversity programs to help women and other underrepresented groups get into the industry and move up in their careers,” she adds.
For Sharon, she tells us that breaking into leadership roles in a male-dominated industry was her biggest challenge as a Latina woman in tech. “I often felt the need to work twice as hard to prove my expertise,” she adds. Over time, she realized that success isn’t just about working harder but also finding allies, fostering transparency, and trusting her instincts.
Zeynep says the biggest challenge is dealing with prejudices against women, especially when positive discrimination creates an unfair system.“The root of this injustice is again their own mistakes,” she quotes.
A Change They Would Like To See
When asked what they would change about the gaming industry for women, the responses were clear: better representation, reduced bias, and more leadership opportunities.
Lígia hopes to break the stereotype that women in gaming are only in non-technical roles. “I’d love to see people assume that women can be developers, founders, or any role without that surprised look.”
Sarah believes that representation in games and the industry itself is crucial. “Women of all backgrounds, body types, and identities deserve to see themselves reflected in meaningful ways.”
Valentina, Maryna, and Ada emphasize the need for more women in the industry, especially in technical and leadership roles.
While Valentina believes “More visibility can encourage others to take the leap and pursue careers in gaming,” Maryna says, “having more female professionals in leadership roles would not only inspire others but also reinforce the idea that women belong in every aspect of gaming.”
Ada believes that diverse voices in decision-making create richer, more inclusive games. She emphasizes the need to “break down hiring biases, creating mentorship opportunities, and ensuring that women in gaming are supported, not just included.”
Victoria notes that while the hardcore side of gaming gets much attention, the industry often overlooks its diverse audience. “There’s a bit of a blind spot there,” she says, emphasizing the need to make gaming more welcoming for everyone, not just hardcore male players.
Catarina suggests she would love to see more remote and flexible work options so women can balance their personal lives with the jobs they dream of.
“While women are now better received within the industry, Leadership roles continue to be unbalanced”, Sharon believes. She advocates for more representation in decision-making, stronger mentorship programs, and workplace changes that support and retain diverse talent.
Zeynep tells us she wants to break industry prejudices. Explaining the same, she says: “If a female founder secures investment, it’s often assumed it’s because she’s a woman, not because she’s talented.” She knows women who weren’t hired because of this bias, and she’s determined to change that.
Advice for Next-Gen Women in Gaming
Everyone shared their own unique advice and tips for the next generation of women in gaming.
“My advice is to follow your heart and believe in yourself,” encourages Lígia. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t belong here. Trust what you’re capable of, find people who inspire you, and see every challenge as a chance to grow,” she concludes.
Sarah encourages aspiring women in gaming to embrace their passion and take up space. “Don’t apologize for taking space,” she emphasizes, urging them to bring their whole selves to the industry, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Valentina advises staying informed about industry trends by following leaders and bloggers. She encourages playing popular games, even outside personal preferences, to learn from them. “Connect with people,” she says.
Maryna’s advice is to stay calm and curious and embrace the journey. She adds: “Use your wisdom and unique strengths to inspire those around you, and remember that your perspective is valuable in shaping the future of gaming.”
Ada encourages women to take up space, speak up, and seek opportunities. “Never underestimate the value of your perspective,” she advises, as the industry needs diverse voices, and the ideas are important. “Build a strong network, find mentors, and always keep learning,” she concludes.
“Pursue your passion with confidence. The industry is evolving, and there’s a growing appreciation for diverse voices, “ Victoria suggests. Seeking mentors, developing skills, and embracing one’s unique perspective are the aspects she would like the women to practice.
Catarina emphasizes the power of networking, connecting with industry professionals, attending events, and seeking mentors. “Most people are happy to share their stories and help out,” she says. She encourages to “figure out what makes you unique and what transferable skills you bring to the table.”
Sharon drops a simple yet effective tip. “Believe in yourself and own your expertise. Your voice matters, and the more women we have shaping the future of gaming, the better.”
Zeynep gives an inspiring message: “Don’t give up. Seek help when needed and strive to improve, but never judge yourself too harshly. Perfection isn’t required.”
