IGDA Foundation Elects Shannon Loftis as Chair of Board of Directors

The International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA-F) welcomes Shannon Loftis as the new chair of its board of directors following the departure of Ed Fries, who is stepping down after a successful 2 years leading the organization and will remain on the board. With more than 30 years of experience in game development at Microsoft and beyond, alongside her commitment to inclusion in the gaming and technology spaces, Shannon will be an invaluable addition to the IGDA Foundation’s mission.

After graduating with computer science and mathematics degrees from Duke University, Loftis joined Microsoft’s Games group in 1995, where she contributed to over 70 games across PC, Xbox, and Xbox 360. Some of her contributions include early online card games, the Madness series (Motocross Madness, Monster Truck Madness, and Midtown Madness), Project Gotham Racing, the Fable series, the Viva Piñata series, and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.

Transitioning to leadership roles at Microsoft, Loftis managed teams worldwide that were responsible for many of Microsoft’s recent successes. She built the Good Science studio, which laid the groundwork and shipped the Kinect system and many of its titles. She later guided Microsoft’s First Party Global Publishing team, which delivered bestselling titles like ReCore, Ori, Microsoft Casual Suite, and Flight Simulator. Before retiring from Microsoft, she founded World’s Edge, which is dedicated to the award-winning Age of Empires series. Since leaving Microsoft, Shannon has remained active in the industry as a board member, advisor, consultant, and mentor.

Loftis’ long-standing commitment to inclusion and connection stems from her experiences as the youngest in a large, close family. She is fascinated by and passionate about the ways technology and entertainment can build community, which has driven her career with a passion to forge connections.

“I'm thrilled and honored to lead this board, and to work closely with the foundation and with the IGDA,” said Shannon Loftis, Chair of the IGDA-F Board of Directors. “The IGDA Foundation is one of the most inclusive, intersectional, globally-relevant and effective organizations in game development and I believe our mission is more crucial today than ever before.”

She has served on the IGDA Foundation and AIAS’ board of directors, and co-founded the Microsoft’s Women in Gaming SIG with Bonnie Ross and Laura Fryer, which is still active today as part of Games 4 Everyone (G4E).

“I have worked alongside Shannon since our days at Microsoft; she’s an excellent leader whose background and experience in the industry make her a perfect fit to take on the role of Chair,” said Ed Fries, former Chair of the IGDA-F Board of Directors. “I am confident that the IGDA Foundation will stay true to its values under her guidance.”