Biography

Alayna Cole is currently working as a consultant, mentor, and writer. She was previously the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at Sledgehammer Games (an Activision / Microsoft studio). She ran diversity initiatives supporting authentic game content in the Call of Duty franchise and inclusive employee experience for ~600 people across four SHG studio locations.

Alayna has experience as both a AAA and indie games producer, was the founding director of a not-for-profit, and has worked as an educator, games journalist, and published author. Her work has had a particular focus on LGBTQ+, invisible disabilities, and neurodivergence. She has written several books, book chapters, and journal articles on a range on subjects, including short stories, textbooks, and a memoir.

Alayna holds a doctorate in creative arts and has spoken at conferences and events globally, including a United Nations summit on gender-based violence in 2021 and a keynote talk at Games Connect Asia Pacific in 2022.

As well as being a passionate champion for advocacy and change, Alayna loves good trees, has too many hobbies to count, and is a connoisseur of hot chips.

Key facts

• Author published by Revolutionaries Press and CRC Press
  and working on several new manuscripts
• Director at Beacon & Briar
• Journalist at Player2.net.au
• Creative critter at Cosy Chaos Crafts

Hi! I'm Alayna (she/her) and I spend most of my time making crafts, hanging out with my dog, and trying to make the games industry a more inclusive place.

Please explore my website to learn more about my expertise, values, and career highlights.

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