In Part 1, we shared nine inspiring stories from women in the industry. Now, in Part 2, we continue the conversation with four other women leaders, exploring their journeys, their challenges, and their advice for the next generation of women looking to make their mark in gaming.
Inspiration to Pursue a Gaming Industry Career
For Julie Thomas Knap, the SVP of Strategic Partnerships – Gaming at Allied Global Marketing, the journey into gaming started at Vivendi Games. Her role as Head of Partnerships saw her passion for the gaming industry fully ignited. “The opportunity to forge meaningful partnerships and develop innovative solutions within an industry filled with dynamic, creative, and fun-loving individuals solidified my decision to make a lifelong career in gaming,” she says.
Gaëlle Caballero, VP of Language Services at Testronic, entered the gaming industry by chance after moving from France to the UK. Originally pursuing a legal career in Intellectual Property and International Law, she was offered an opportunity at Testronic. “I loved being part of making games, and generally, I loved the people I was able to meet and work with,” she shares.
Wasseman’s Debs Scott-Bowden, who’s the Vice President – Commercial, Gaming & Sport, shares that she has always been passionate about sales and helping brands create bold, impactful work.“The opportunity was huge, and I knew I wanted to be part of it. What’s even better? I get to work alongside some of the most brilliant, creative, and driven people in the industry.” She concludes by saying, “I absolutely love what I do, and every day brings something new and exciting.”
Simonetta Lulli, CEO of GameHouse, says her entry to the world of gaming was “more coincidental than intentional”. In 1999, she wanted to be part of the internet era dawn and began online gambling in England. Later, she joined Sulake, the company behind Habbo Hotel, where she was drawn to the concept of virtual worlds, economies, and digital goods.
Challenges as a Woman in a Male-dominated Field
Reflecting on challenges as a woman in the industry, Julie shares an experience from a consulting project involving a major gaming property. She describes how her “suggestions and strategies were overlooked”, revealing a bias in what she coins as a “boys’ club” culture that still exists in certain areas of the industry.
Gaëlle highlights the challenges women face, including gender bias, stereotyping, wage disparities, and a lack of mentorship. “I think at the start of my career in Games, the hardest was to find my way to be heard and feel like I could have a positive impact”, she shares, recalling the struggle of overcoming stereotypes, imposter syndrome, and often being the only woman in the room.
Debs has felt incredibly welcomed in the gaming industry, despite its traditionally male-dominated nature. “Of course, there have been moments when I’ve had to assert myself or prove I belong in the room, but the industry is evolving quickly,” she tells us.
Simonetta says she doesn’t define her experience by gender, though she acknowledges the industry’s gender gap. “I haven’t personally experienced discrimination or unusual situations beyond what might happen outside the industry,” she explains. However, she often found herself as the only woman in the room where women were almost nonexistent. Rather than seeing this as a challenge, she views it as “a gap that needed closing”.
A Change They Would Like To See
“If I could change one aspect, it would be to increase female representation at all levels within the industry,” Julie quotes. She believes that a diverse workforce not only fosters a richer work environment but also brings fresh ideas and perspectives that can drive innovation and broaden the industry’s appeal.
If Gaëlle could change one thing, it would be the perception of gaming careers among young women. While progress has been made, she believes more visibility is needed for women in development roles like design, programming, and engineering to inspire the next generation.
Scott-Bowden finds it exciting that this change is already happening in terms of diverse voices. “I could name just as many incredible women as men in this industry, and I know these women are just as eager to see more women join,” she notes.
If Simonetta could change one thing, it would “be ensuring greater gender equality from the very start.” She believes in encouraging more women to enter the industry by fostering interest in technology, coding, and design from a young age. She practices the same at GameHouse, hiring the best and diverse talent to ensure diversity in thought.
Advice for Next-Gen Women in Gaming
For young women entering gaming, Julie advises to embrace resilience and not to be discouraged by setbacks. She also stresses professionalism, reputation, and treating everyone with kindness, as the industry is smaller than it seems. “Remember to always ask for what you want; if you don’t, the answer will inevitably be no,” she concludes.
“Don’t hesitate!” tells Gaëlle. “This is an amazing industry to evolve in and contribute to. Know yourself, believe in your own strengths, embrace your unique perspective, make your voice count”, she advises.
Debs advice to all the women out there: “Be seen, push yourself outside your comfort zone, work harder than anyone else, and own your space.” She notes that the “gaming industry is one of the most exciting, fast-moving industries out there”, and “there’s never been a better time for women to thrive in the industry.”
Simonetta’s message is short yet positive: “Just go for it.” She suggests that women apply even if they don’t meet every requirement. “The chances of getting in are higher than you think, and once you do, you’ll find an industry that’s fun, creative, and innovative,” she concludes.
