Shannon Loftis Named New Chair of IGDA Foundation Board

The International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA-F), a group of industry professionals dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the gaming industry, has appointed Shannon Loftis as the new chair of its board of directors.

Loftis takes over from Ed Fries, who will continue serving on the board after stepping down from the director position he held for two years.

A veteran of the gaming industry with over 30 years of experience, Loftis is best known for her leadership roles at Microsoft, where she championed inclusive game development. Her leadership is expected to strengthen the organization’s efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for game developers worldwide.

“I’m thrilled and honored to lead this board, and to work closely with the foundation and with the IGDA,” Loftis said about her new role. She emphasized the importance of the IGDA Foundation’s mission, describing it as “one of the most inclusive, intersectional, globally-relevant and effective organizations in game development” and noting that its work is “more crucial today than ever before.”

Outgoing chair Ed Fries, who previously worked alongside Loftis at Microsoft, expressed strong confidence in her leadership. “Shannon’s an excellent leader with deep industry experience. She’s a perfect fit to guide the Foundation into its next chapter,” he said.

The IGDA Foundation operates independently from the International Game Developers Association, though the two are connected. As a charitable organization, the Foundation focuses on supporting underrepresented and marginalized game developers globally through various initiatives including professional development programs, mentorships, scholarships, and game jams. Some of them include:

• Diverse Game Developers Fund: Launched in 2021, a $300k fund provides financial support to marginalized developers worldwide.
• Virtual Exchange Program: Offers opportunities for developers to connect globally, attend workshops, and participate in events like the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

It also collaborates with other organizations to amplify voices and address challenges like crunch culture, discrimination, and lack of representation in games and studios.

This leadership change comes at a time when diversity and inclusion continue to be important topics in the gaming industry, making Loftis’s experience particularly relevant to the Foundation’s ongoing mission.