Warner Bros. Games Launches New ‘Women And Non-Binary Leadership Program’ In Order To “Upend The Gaming Industry’s Male-Dominated Characterization”
In an announcement that’s sure to help the studio rehabilitate its reputation following its recent Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League– and live-service– related debacles, Warner Bros. Games has officially launched a new Women and Non-Binary Leadership Program with the intended goal of ‘rehabilitating’ the “male-dominated” image of the overall video game industry.
Revealed to the public courtesy of Built In contributor Brigid Hogan on May 22nd following the conclusion of its “inaugural six-month run”, the leadership program reportedly “engaged 25 women and non-binary leaders from across Warner Bros. Games’ 11 global studios and global publishing and central teams” with the goal of “cultivating career development opportunities for underrepresented individuals within the gaming sector, elevating diverse voices to leadership roles and shaping a more inclusive future for the industry.”
“Warner Bros. Games, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery, has launched a Women and Non-Binary Leadership Program to upend the gaming industry’s male-dominated characterization,” detailed Hogan. “Central to the program’s success is its emphasis on community building and self-reflection. Through a blend of structured workshops and candid conversations, participants found a safe space to share experiences and support one another. Beyond professional growth, the program sparked personal revelations, leading participants to prioritize self-care and embrace opportunities for continuous learning.”
In discussion of this new leadership program, Hogan reached out to three female attendees of its first official event for their thoughts on its offerings and effectiveness.
“If you’re resistant to a program like this, maybe consider it from a position of self-care,” opined Jesyca Durchin, a Senior Producer for WB’ Games’ upcoming Wonder Woman title. “Because of the people I met and how the program was organized, I found I was feeling better each day. It was self-care to learn something new. Even something as simple as finding out I can access Linkedin Learning through my company membership helped me grow and find new outlets that are both good for me and help me to feel good.”
Likewise, Senior Manager of PR and Influencer Relations Ruby Rumjen asserted, “The value that you get from the group’s shared experiences helps you to know that you’re not alone.”
“Having that support outside of your direct team is so beneficial,” she added. “Now that I have witnessed and experienced it myself, I really do encourage others to seek the same because it’s really enhanced my working life at WB Games. I ended up with so much more than I could have imagined when I began.”
Joining in on her colleagues’ praise, Senior Director of Business Development and Licensing Kelly C. Hill recalled, “I came into games full-time after a career in licensing spaces where women were the majority. I already had a sense that it was important for me to show up and to be an example that people like me can and should have a seat at the table. The program reaffirmed my commitment to bringing more diversity into the industry and doing what I can to let people see an alternative to what they may picture as a games executive.”
“There are challenges faced by women and non-binary people — in the games industry and in other industries, as well — that are unique but also shared, so we had the opportunity to realize that even though our roles were completely different, we still might be facing some of the same challenges,” Hill told Hogan. “To get different perspectives from people who are at different places in their journey was really valuable, as we could share personal experiences that offered insights to pass back to people facing those challenges now.”
As of writing, it is currently unknown which specific Warner Bros. Games developers attended the leadership program, nor which of the company’s specific divisions they hailed from.
Further, the program’s curriculum, or even a summary of it, has yet to be detailed to the public.
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