The Women in Gaming Breakfast at the GamesBeat Summit 2025 marked an important milestone for the conference as it celebrated its 10th edition. The session took place at the California Ballroom in Marina Del Rey on the second day of the summit, gathering industry voices to discuss the path forward after a challenging period for gaming. The panel focused on addressing the realities of a post-growth industry and how leaders are preparing for both opportunities and potential hurdles ahead.
This event continues GamesBeat’s strong tradition of elevating the dialogue around women’s roles in the industry and examining what comes next after a two-year stretch of cutbacks and shifting business landscapes. The morning featured notable leaders Carla Bedrosian of Xsolla, Angela Dalton of Signum Growth Dot Play, and Nancy MacIntyre of World Winner. They shared insights meant not only for women professionals but for the broader gaming community searching for sustainable growth.
Highlights from the 10th Annual Women in Gaming Breakfast
This year’s breakfast started with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the community’s endurance through turbulent times, bringing together established executives and emerging talent. The atmosphere at the California Ballroom was charged with anticipation as the event returned for its tenth consecutive year, underscoring its impact on networking and professional development for women in the gaming sector.
Key highlights included a panel discussion centered around post-pandemic trends and how the events of recent years have driven a reevaluation of workplace culture, hiring practices, and leadership development. Attendees heard first-hand perspectives from trailblazers who had navigated layoffs and studio closures while staying committed to progress in the industry.
The breakfast also featured interactive sessions, including live Q&A, which allowed audience members to engage directly with the speakers. These exchanges showcased the collective commitment to moving the entire industry forward, not just for women but for professionals across all backgrounds.
Special focus was given to fostering solidarity, with speakers encouraging continued mentorship and knowledge sharing among women in gaming. The event concluded with a call for supporting each other through innovation and resilience as the sector slowly returns to growth.
Industry Leaders Shaping the Future
The panel was led by three influential women, each playing a key role in their organizations. Carla Bedrosian, Chief Legal Officer at Xsolla, brought her expertise in compliance and governance to discussions about new business models and emerging industry standards. Angela Dalton, CEO and CIO of Signum Growth Dot Play, provided insights into venture strategies and investment in gaming, with a special emphasis on supporting underrepresented voices. Nancy MacIntyre, CEO of World Winner, rounded out the group with her experience driving innovation in competitive game platforms.
This mix of legal, financial, and product-focused perspectives created a balanced look at what it means to ‘shape the future’ in a period defined by uncertainty. The panelists underscored the vital role that diverse leadership plays in mitigating risk and finding opportunities, even as the market evolves.
The conversation highlighted that women in leadership are not only increasing representation but also introducing fresh ideas into game development, publishing, and monetization. The panel discussed how mentorship, professional growth, and diverse hiring are changing what leadership looks like – and why this is good for business as the industry recovers.
Audience questions revealed widespread interest in how leaders like Bedrosian, Dalton, and MacIntyre manage challenges such as compliance, investor expectations, and rapidly evolving consumer habits, proving that practical experience is in high demand.
Reflections on Industry Struggles in 2023 and 2024
The panel opened a frank dialogue on the challenges faced between 2023 and 2024. These years were marked by massive layoffs, company restructurings, and a noticeable dip in consumer spending after the pandemic-driven surge. The impact was felt across all levels, from large studios to indie developers, with thousands of talented professionals losing their jobs and many smaller operations closing altogether.
The speakers discussed how these events exposed weaknesses in existing business models and highlighted a need for greater adaptability within the workforce. Many professionals were forced to pivot, upskill, or pursue different career paths, creating both disruption and opportunities for change. Layoffs also led to a greater emphasis on mental health and the importance of robust internal support systems in the game industry workforce.
From layoffs and closures to project cancellations, the industry grappled with uncertainty as companies reevaluated roadmaps and budgets. However, as part of the breakfast’s positive focus, attendees also shared stories of resilience seen in grassroots communities and within organizations dedicated to maintaining creative output during this period.
Panelists noted that the crisis underscored the importance of building networks that endure through both high and low points, making way for new collaborations and a rethink in how projects are greenlit and pursued. This ‘reset’ has ultimately pushed companies to reconstruct foundations with greater purpose and a stronger commitment to inclusivity and long-term success.
Defining Post-Growth Strategy in Gaming
The “post-growth” concept refers to the phase after an initial boom, where companies must shift away from rapid expansion to more deliberate and strategic growth. The panel addressed ways to prioritize value creation, sustainability, and risk management in this new phase for gaming. Growth for its own sake was replaced by a focus on resilient supply chains, diversified revenue models, and adaptive team structures.
Panelists discussed the importance of understanding core audiences and doubling down on retention over new user acquisition. Creating engaging experiences to ensure players remain invested in a product became a primary focus, with customer feedback and data analytics now guiding every key decision.
Monetization strategies are evolving in post-growth gaming. The panelists pointed out that subscription models, esports, and user-driven content are all attracting interest as developers look for stable and scalable revenue streams. There was an emphasis on testing new ideas quickly and staying nimble to react to market feedback.
Another priority discussed was protecting creative culture during organizational transformation. Ensuring that innovative thinking is encouraged throughout cycles of contraction and growth became a recurring theme, reminding companies that rebuilding on stronger footing leads to more sustainable outcomes.
Sustainable Growth and Crisis Resilience
Sustainability was a key topic as panelists emphasized the necessity of planning for long-term stability rather than short spikes in growth. The speakers encouraged building resilient businesses through diversified teams, robust contingency planning, and a willingness to adjust direction as market needs change.
Panelists highlighted practical steps for crisis resilience, including scenario planning, cross-training staff, and strengthening relationships with external partners. The value of strong internal communication was also discussed as a way to keep teams aligned when facing unexpected events.
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The role of women and minority leaders in building these sustainable structures was highlighted, showing that diverse teams often anticipate risks differently and bring a spectrum of solutions to the table. The industry’s slow recovery over the past year has shown which strategies work best for making organizations more robust.
There was a call for more transparent leadership. Attendees heard that trust and empathy are key for retaining top talent and weathering storms, strategies that resonate across all kinds of organizations in gaming and tech.
Ideas for a More Inclusive Leadership Pipeline
The topic of inclusivity took center stage as speakers outlined concrete ways to build a more diverse leadership pipeline in gaming. This includes sponsorship programs, transparent recruitment, and proactive promotion of underrepresented staff to leadership roles.
The event showcased successful examples of women being mentored into executive positions and encouraged industry members to look at both internal development and external recruitment for leadership candidates. Panelists also discussed partnerships with organizations and schools that support women and non-binary talent in technology and gaming.
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The conversation turned to the value of role models, with speakers encouraging professionals to share stories of both success and failure. This storytelling helps underline the diverse paths to leadership and the importance of resilience and collaboration over straightforward career trajectories.
Attendees took away that meaningful change comes from both structural shifts within organizations and personal commitments to support each other, laying the groundwork for more equitable representation throughout the industry.
Past Topics and Their Influence on Current Conversations
The Women in Gaming Breakfast has tackled a range of significant topics over the past decade, including global change driven by games, resilience, adaptability, and unconventional career navigation. These past discussions have shaped the community’s approach to leadership and helped inform how current challenges are addressed.
Panelists reflected on how the industry’s view on non-traditional career paths has evolved after earlier conversations at the breakfast. Now, hiring managers value lateral movement and multidisciplinary backgrounds much more than ever before, bringing greater flexibility to how teams are assembled.
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Past sessions focused on the power of games for positive social impact and driving innovation across different cultures. Those lessons were seen as crucial during the industry’s recent rough patch and remain central to this year’s conversations about recovery and responsible growth.
The continuity of serious and forward-thinking topics has made this event a go-to place for actionable ideas, while also increasing the visibility of women’s contributions to gaming, tech, and the broader digital space.
Recurring attendees noted that the event’s emphasis on mentorship and partnership has built a strong culture of sharing and support that stretches far beyond the annual summit.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Panel Discussion
This year’s session left attendees with several major takeaways. Resilience, adaptability, and commitment to inclusive growth were common threads throughout the panel’s answers. The importance of clear communication across all levels of an organization was repeated as a way to maintain trust during times of rapid change.
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Panelists argued that organizations must be willing to admit when strategies are not working and pivot quickly. Embracing feedback from a broad range of team members leads to better decisions and stronger company culture.
Leadership can and should be shared. Attendees were encouraged to look out for opportunities to promote colleagues whose work embodies the new direction the industry is taking. The importance of cross-disciplinary skills and lifelong learning was brought up as a way to stay competitive and foster innovation.
Another takeaway was the ongoing need for dedicated communities and events where women and minority voices can be amplified, ensuring a steady flow of new leaders and innovators into the industry’s executive ranks.
Impact on the Broader Gaming Industry
The insights from the Women in Gaming Breakfast contribute not just to the immediate attendees but also shape industry practices more widely. Past conversations at this event have led to new networking groups and formal mentorship programs now used by several major studios and publishers.
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The panel’s focus on sustainability and inclusivity sent a strong message across the community. These topics can lead to shifts in studio hiring, project selection, and even game content, highlighting the event’s broader influence. Policy makers and investors have started referencing the event’s panels as evidence of positive momentum in gaming leadership.
Publishers taking cues from these discussions are creating safer work cultures and pushing forward on transparent promotion and retention policies. This ripple effect has helped make the Women in Gaming Breakfast a leading voice for ethical and effective industry practices.
The summit continues to strengthen the bridge between executives, creatives, and grassroots advocates who together shape what gaming looks like in this new phase of growth and adaptation.
What’s Next for Women in Gaming Events
The energy and insights at the 2025 breakfast generated enthusiasm for future initiatives. Organizers hinted at fresh event formats, targeted workshops, and expanded mentorship opportunities aimed at supporting women throughout the year, not just during the summit.
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Plans are in place to broaden the reach of the event internationally, collaborating with similar initiatives in other regions. Online forums and hybrid events will allow for cross-border conversations and greater access for those unable to attend in person.
Panelists also expressed excitement about creating more collaborative projects between game companies and advocacy organizations. The goal is to drive genuine change by combining industry resources with community-driven ideas and leadership development.
The ongoing commitment to women in gaming signals a lasting shift, moving past recovery into a phase where meaningful, measurable progress is the baseline for industry growth. With a foundation built over ten years, the Women in Gaming Breakfast is well positioned to remain at the forefront of these efforts.
