Current leader of Blizzard Entertainment, Johanna Faries brings a background spanning sports, esports, and interactive entertainment. Her career includes over a decade with the NFL and leadership roles building the Call of Duty League.
Faries emphasizes “mentorship, diversity, and creating opportunities for others to grow.” Her approach to leadership prioritizes integrity, collaboration, and community impact across the gaming industry.
From the NFL to Activision to Blizzard
Faries joined Blizzard as its president in January 2024, following Microsoft’s completion of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Before running Blizzard, she served as General Manager of Call of Duty at Activision, where she was instrumental in building the Call of Duty League into one of the highest-profile franchised esports leagues in the world. Her path into gaming started with more than a decade at the NFL, where she worked across fantasy football, consumer products, and league operations — a résumé that helped her translate traditional-sports franchise thinking to competitive gaming.
Leadership at a pivotal moment
Faries took the top job as Blizzard was integrating into Microsoft and navigating both a creative rebuild and a cultural one. Industry observers have noted her deliberate focus on mentorship programs and internal pipelines, particularly for underrepresented groups. She is the first woman to lead Blizzard in the studio’s 30-plus-year history.
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