Activision Blizzard on Monday announced the appointment of Kristen Hines as its new Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. Effective Monday, April 25, Hines will join the company’s senior leadership team. She will play a crucial role in increasing the percentage of women and non-binary people in Activision Blizzard’s workforce by 50% over the next 5 years.
“Activision Blizzard has ambitious goals to become the most welcoming and inclusive company in the gaming industry. We have already made significant progress ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees, and we are excited to have Kristen join our leadership team to help drive even greater improvement,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. Hines has over 2 decades of experience across a variety of clients and industries. She had most recently come from Accenture, where she led the Global Inclusion, Diversity and Equity practice, helping organizations establish and strengthen their own DEI strategies and capabilities.
“Gaming has amazing potential to connect communities around the world and showcase heroes from all backgrounds. 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,”
said Hines. With her role at Activision Blizzard, Hines will strengthen work already underway with the company’s leadership team and Employee Resource Groups to implement programs and policies that ensure a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace and environment. Part of Activision Blizzard’s mission is allowing their players to find purpose and meaning through competitive video games, which have the ability to break down the barriers that can inhibit tolerance and understanding.
The announcement of Hines’ appointment comes weeks after the publisher behind Call of Duty and Candy Crush settled one of its many lawsuits behind sexual harassment in the workplace. As part of the settlement agreement with the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), an $18 million fund was committed with the purpose of amends. In early March, Activision Blizzard reported labor shortages according to its annual report. These issues in recruitment struggles are likely due to its ongoing litigation and bad press. The company was even barred from attending this year’s South by Southwest event for the same reason.