IGDA-F Virtual Exchange 2022 Announcement
IGDA Foundation Hosts Industry Grantee Program: Virtual Exchange 2022
Warner Bros’ Jesyca Durchin Schnepp to Give Keynote Address, Retired Nintendo President Reggie Fils-Aimé to Provide Closing Remarks
LOS ANGELES – Sept. 12, 2022 – The International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA-F) launches its six-week Virtual Exchange program today. Running from September 12 - October 24, 2022, the Virtual Exchange provides 72 grantees from 17 countries with access to expert training and mentorship to help foster the next generation of video game development talent.
The Virtual Exchange is designed to aid grantees from underrepresented communities across the world by giving unparalleled access to video game veterans through workshops and coaching. This year’s event features a curriculum including sessions on building transferable skills, mock interviews, team building, resume workshops, leading successful projects inclusively, and more. Grantees are placed into four cohorts - Scholars, HBCU/HSI Scholars, Velocity, and Next Gen Leaders - and receive individualized mentorship from industry experts.
Award-winning cross-platform producer, Jesyca Durchin Schnepp, will deliver the Virtual Exchange’s keynote address to program grantees, sponsors, and leaders on September 12th. An award-winning producer with 25 years of experience in film, video games, and ride design, Jesyca has created content for companies like Disney, Mattel and Universal. Currently, Jesyca is senior producer for Wonder Woman’s first AAA video game at Warner Bros Games. Schnepp is a champion for all women in tech, diversity, and inclusion efforts.
Former President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aimé, will provide closing remarks on October 20th. After retiring in 2019, Fils-Aimé accepted a position as a Leader in Residence at Cornell University, joined the Spin Master Corp. and Brunswick Corp. boards of directors, and published the best-selling book Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo in 2022.
With this year’s Virtual Exchange program, the IGDA-F furthers its mission of fostering a diverse and inclusive worldwide game development community by supporting college students, recent graduates and professionals looking to transition into the game industry from underrepresented communities.
“We look forward to hosting grantees from across the globe in our Virtual Exchange program,”
said Alyssa Walles, Executive Director of the IGDA-F. “Throughout our event, we hope to inspire our younger grantees by exposing them to more knowledge about the video game industry, and aiding games industry professionals in progressing their careers."
Media Contacts
Kaylah Humphrey / Ray Porreca
Stride PR for IGDA Foundation
kaylah@stridepr.com / raymond@stridepr.com