Activision Blizzard’s New Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer To Ensure “Diverse And Inclusive Perspectives” In Game Design, Storytelling, And More
Activision Blizzard’s new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer will ensure “diverse and inclusive perspectives” in game design.
Effective April 25th, Kristen Hines will act as Activision Blizzard’s new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (Chief DEI Officer for short). As stated in the press release, she will answer to Chief People Officer Julie Hodges, and will be part of Activision Blizzard’s senior leadership team.
Hines’ objective will be to “strengthen work underway” by existing leaders and human resources departments to “implement programs and policies that foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace environment.”
She will also be directly involved with developers. The press release states Hines will “also partner across all gaming teams to ensure diverse and inclusive perspectives are included in game design, including storylines, character development, gameplay and community interaction.”
Hines’ “crucial role” will also augment the ongoing efforts by Activision Blizzard to increase women and non-binary people working for them to 50% over the next five years.
As of Q1 2022, the company reported that 46% of employees at Activision Blizzard corporate branch are women and 50% are from “Underrepresented Ethnic Groups (UEG).” Activision Publishing has 17% women and 36% UEGs, while Blizzard has 23% women and 34% UEGs respectively. Across Activision Blizzard and King the company has 24% women and 37% UEGs.
“I’m excited to join a company that is prioritizing its commitment to DEI and making progress on the ambitious goals it has set for itself,” Hines confessed.
“In an industry with historical underrepresentation,” Hines claimed, “I’m looking forward to leading the company’s efforts to further build a workplace that values transparency, equity, and inclusivity.”
“Gaming has amazing potential to connect communities around the world and showcase heroes from all backgrounds,” Hines explains.
“I am looking forward to playing a part in expanding the landscape of talent who brings these compelling experiences to a broad base of players,” she added.
“Activision Blizzard has ambitious goals to become the most welcoming and inclusive company in the gaming industry,” Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick stated.
“We have already made significant progress ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees,” Kotick asserted, “and we are excited to have Kristen join our leadership team to help drive even greater improvement.”
“Kristen’s success leading complex transformation with measurable results makes her the right person to ensure we deliver on our diversity, equity and inclusion commitments and build a model workplace aligned with our values,” Kotick boasted.
Hines’ prior experience includes fifteen years as Accenture’s Managing Director- the press release further noting she “led the Global Inclusion, Diversity and Equity practice, and sat on the firm’s global leadership team for the CEO Transformation practice.”
Activision Blizzard notes in that position “she helped organizations establish and strengthen their own DEI strategies and capabilities, ensuring success through integration with the business, data-driven accountability and continuous feedback loops between leaders and employees.”
She also previously worked in “corporate strategy for RSM Robson Rhodes, based in London, and investment banking for CIBC World Markets, based in New York.”
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