Game On: Kellee Santiago's Blueprint for Inclusive Gaming

Join host Brenda Darden Wilkerson for a “Game On” conversation with Kellee Santiago, a video game creative director, consultant and a builder of worlds. Kellee knows first-hand that games are more than entertainment – they are powerful engines for empathy. And in this episode, Kellee takes us through her remarkable journey from making indie games, at a time when women made up only 4-5% of the gaming workforce, to her successful work with industry giants like Google and Niantic. Together, Brenda and Kellee explore why games are such an important cornerstone of our culture and even our global conversation. This wide ranging discussion looks at the industry's evolution, ongoing challenges, and Kellee's approach to fostering inclusive and innovative game development. Plus, tune in for some myth-busting facts about gaming history, including the stories of some women who were actually at the forefront of building original games. So press play and learn the transformative power of gaming and how you can be part of creating empathetic, engaging worlds that resonate with diverse audiences.“The immersion into a different world and a different perspective, is just such a cool capacity of games that I would love to continue to see more of, and more people engaging with.”For more of Kellee Santiago check out...LinkedIn - /kelleesantiago/ ---At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations.---Connect with AnitaB.orgInstagram - @anitab_orgFacebook - /anitab.0rgLinkedIn - /anitab-orgOn the web - anitab.org ---Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services.---B The Way Forward Is…Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige HymsonSound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski Associate Producer is Faith KroguleckiExecutive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was HereExecutive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.orgPodcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.orgPhoto of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media ProductionsFor more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org