Fiona Cherbak, a founding member of Women in Games International, is well-known in the gaming industry for bringing women with a passion for making games together to network and grow. WomenGamers.Com had the pleasure of interviewing her regarding her nomination for election to the IGDA Board of Directors. 

Why are you running for this position?  What do you hope to accomplish?

The IGDA has done an incredible job in establishing a global grassroots organization with more than 15,000 members.  With that kind of success, there is a wealth to work from to advance IGDA's position in the games community, as well as to expand their initiatives in areas that continue to need attention, such as workplace diversity and quality of life, gender issues in the making and marketing of games, and development of education resources for industry newcomers.  My goals are to aptly serve IGDA members when it comes to these concerns, providing additional opportunity for varying voices, greater action and personal, as well as corporate, participation in the IGDA.

What is your experience and qualifications?

I have a lengthy history as a marketing and recruiting professional in the games industry, with experience developing global strategies and spearheading numerous high-profile marketing campaigns for games industry organizations and companies.  I've also volunteered for Women in Games International as Chair of the Strategic Alliances, Development and Public Relations Committees and as a founding member. I'm a regular speaker at CMP Game Group's Game Career Seminar series, as well as an advisory board member and regular speaker on career issues at the SXSW Screenburn/SXSW Interactive conference.  Additionally, I'm on editorialist on hiring practices and diversity issues in the games industry, writing columns for publications such as Gamasutra.com and Next Generation News.

What ideas do you have to drive improvements in the gaming industry for issues such as quality of life, workplace diversity and gender inclusion?

Even the simple approach of increasing visibility of these issues helps to create solutions.  By opening the dialogue and developing more avenues for discourse, we start to drill down to potential fixes and tools that aid managers and staff alike in driving the resolution process.  My specific goals in this area are to expand this topical focus at IGDA events and forums, as well as to encourage more written discussion, research and outreach to support the effort.  Ideally, we are creating awareness within corporations and companies that enables them to pursue different and improved thought and management processes.

What initiatives would you like to see the IGDA take to further education and resources for game students and industry newcomers?

We are experiences a "shrinking middle" of personnel in the games industry, as more senior staff leave the industry for other horizons or retirement, and young people continue to struggle to find their place within the industry.  We are sorely lacking in training, internship and retention programs in the games industry, thus need to provide education and direction to our IGDA members on how to implement these programs.  Investment in both senior talent and the talent of tomorrow ensures a healthy work environment, the preservation of hard-earned knowledge and unprecedented product success in the marketplace.

WomenGamers.Com would like to wish Fiona the best of luck with the elections as we know she would make an excellent addition to the IGDA Board of Directors! 

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