Our People

Marie-Claire Isaaman

Marie-Claire Isaaman is CEO of Women in Games. She engages with a wide range of businesses and organizations in the games and educational sector, as a consultant, researcher, trustee, chair and advisor. She was presented with the GameRome Diversity Award in 2018 for her outstanding work in the sector. She is an ‘Industry Fellow’ for InGame a Creative Industries Cluster Programme funded by the AHRC and UKRI. And  Project Director for a Business-led innovation in response to global disruption, Innovate UK, grant awarded for the Women in Games Global Conference 2020 and Legacy Projects 2021.

You can also find Marie-Claire on LinkedIn.

Gemma Brown

Gemma has been part of Women in Games since 2016, first joining the Executive Board and later becoming Ambassador Director. In April 2022 she stepped up as Co-Director and she is also Co-CEO of Dovetail Games.

Her career began in HR and grew into senior leadership roles across marketing, retail, finance, QA & localisation, IT, creative services and licensing. Along the way she’s seen both the obvious and subtle ways bias can show up at work, which fuels her drive for a fairer, more inclusive games industry.

Leading the global Ambassador community is one of her proudest roles, bringing together a network of people who support, encourage and advocate for each other. Creating a genuinely safe space matters to her because she’s seen how people flourish, personally and professionally, when they can share ideas and be themselves without fear of judgement.

Outside of work Gemma enjoys classic games like Tetris, Mario, Theme Park and Unpacking, and time with her large blended family, including five children, a grandson and two dogs.

She is always happy to share advice or swap ideas, whether over a message or a coffee, so feel free to connect with her on  LinkedIn or email.

Lisa Carter

Lisa has worked in the games industry for over 30 years, joining as Deputy Editor on industry magazine CTW. She helped to launch MCV in 1998, and then went on to launch Develop Magazine, Mobile Entertainment Magazine and more titles outside of games, but within the tech and entertainment sectors.

In 2015, she left to co-found the boutique communications and events agency Mimram Media.

Gemma Bowen

With three years experience as a Community Manager, and over eight years as content creator in the gaming space, Gemma is dedicated to creating positive and inclusive communities, championing a human-first approach in all her work.

As a vocal advocate for mental health, chronic illness and equality in gaming, Gemma also serves as an Ambassador for Women In Games and Safe In Our World.

In her free time, she enjoys streaming on Twitch, horse-riding and building in The Sims 4, where her creativity has seen her work published in outlets such as PCGamer, EPIC and GamesRadar.

Paula Palmer

Paula Palmer is an experienced Executive PA who supports the CEO, Board and wider management teams at Dovetail Games.  She previously spent 25 years working in London for senior lawyers before the (frankly mind blowing) jump to work in the games industry.  She has provided administrative support to the Exec and Advisory Boards of WIGJ for the past year and enjoyed working with the conference team to help deliver the first WIGJ Global Online Conference back in September.

Maryjane Do

I am a dedicated project manager with a rich background in the digital marketing and gaming industries, known for my passion for leading teams and managing challenging projects. My experience spans over 13 client projects, where I have excelled in implementing strategies for growth and productivity, particularly in remote settings.

Interpersonal communication is at the heart of my approach. I have a proven track record in presenting to clients, conducting productive team meetings, and fostering a collaborative team environment, even when working across different time zones. My focus on clear and effective communication helps in aligning team efforts with project goals.

In leading teams of up to 20 people, I prioritize collaboration and efficiency. My leadership style is centered around enabling team members, optimizing workflows, and ensuring that everyone is contributing their best. This approach has not only improved project outcomes but also strengthened team dynamics.

My goal is to continue leveraging my skills in project management and team leadership to create impactful games. I am driven to innovate and contribute to a team that values creativity, collaboration, and quality in the gaming industry.

Hannah Wright

Hannah Wright, a veteran talent architect, is on a mission to prepare the games industry for this shift. With a decade of global experience spanning commercial, tech, finance, legal and creative role, she’s an embedded, ready to run plug-in partner helping studios from indie gems to AAA giants, to not just hire but to scale and retain with purpose.

A staunch advocate for inclusion, a proud Women in Games Ambassador and Award-Finalist for Excellence in Inclusive Recruitment & Retention at the Inclusion Leader Award 2025, Hannah challenges conventional hiring processes. She equips hiring managers to build teams with purpose, ensuring every studio grows with a competitive edge.

Community-driven, Hannah also hosts OnLive Games, an inclusive, global LinkedIn event that connects the industry and amplifies underrepresented voices. Through candid conversations with studio leaders and creators, she curates insight, support and lived experiences that empower the games community to learn, collaborate and thrive together!

Sophie Atkin

Sophie Atkin is the Director and Co-Founder of SECRET SAUCE and its sublabel Weekend Games, a publisher and marketing agency founded in 2024 to support independent studios in bringing their games to market.

Over the past five years, Sophie has worked across both indie and AA titles, leading on communications, strategy, influencers, events and business development. She has been an Women in Games Ambassador for over four years now and is active in mentorship and education across the games industry. Outside of work, she’s usually found hiking up a mountain or aggressively pulling weeds from the garden.

Mafalda Duarte

Mafalda Duarte joined Women in Games as the ambassador Co-ordinator in January 2022 and now serves in a volunteer position supporting ambassadors and the Women in Games team in events surrounding the program. She also works as Studio Director, Producer, and advisor for indie game teams. With a focus on lean game productions, she speaks and lectures on studio leadership, organisational culture, and the strategic integration of games and film teams.

Formerly the Studio Director at Telescope Game Studios, Mafalda oversaw projects within the Whale Singer universe—a project designed to be expanded to the worlds of animation and gaming. A prominent advocate for industry health and inclusivity, she serves as the Chair of IGDA Berlin and a Board Member of IGDA HQ.