Activision Blizzard appoints Kristen Hines as new diversity boss

Activision Blizzard introduced that it has appointed Kristen Hines as its chief variety, fairness, and inclusion officer. Hines joins the corporate on April 25.

Hines previously labored at Accenture because the managing director of its international inclusion, variety, and fairness observe. With Activision, Hines will work with the management staff to “implement applications and insurance policies that foster a various, equitable, and inclusive office atmosphere.” She’s going to report back to Julie Hodges, the corporate’s chief folks officer.

Hines mentioned in a press release, “I’m excited to hitch an organization that’s prioritizing its dedication to DEI and making progress on the bold objectives it has set for itself. In an business with historic underrepresentation, I’m wanting ahead to main the corporate’s efforts to additional construct a office that values transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. Gaming has wonderful potential to attach communities world wide and showcase heroes from all backgrounds. I’m wanting ahead to enjoying a component in increasing the panorama of expertise who brings these compelling experiences to a broad base of gamers.”

Activision dedicated final yr to diversifying its employees, together with rising its proportion of feminine and non-binary workers by 50% during the last 5 years. Hines will apparently be instrumental in reaching that aim.

The corporate might have difficulties reaching that supposed aim, if its present spate of issues are any indication. Activision Blizzard has been beneath scrutiny for nearly a yr, following allegations that the corporate’s tradition fosters office harassment and inappropriate habits. The California Division of Truthful Employment and Housing reported a number of such incidents in its lawsuit final yr. Even earlier than then, the corporate reportedly had issues with expertise acquisition — even CEO Bobby Kotick admitted this in an interview with GamesBeat.

In response to Activision Blizzard, “Hines may also accomplice throughout all gaming groups to make sure various and inclusive views are included in sport design, together with storylines, character improvement, gameplay and neighborhood interplay.”