Activision Blizzard on Monday said it has appointed Kristen Hines as its new chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Hines will report to the company’s CPO Julie Hodges, and will assume the duties effective April 25.
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The California-based company noted that Hines will help improve current efforts with its leadership team and its employee resource groups to implement programmes and policies that foster a DEI workplace environment.
Hines joins the video gaming company after leading the global DEI practice at Accenture. In her new role, she will work across all teams to ensure diversity and inclusion.
The video game maker said that Hines will play a key role in fostering its commitment to increasing the percentage of women and non-binary people in its workforce by 50% over the next five years. According to the firm’s 2021 representation data, women made up 24% of its overall workforce.
The ‘Call of Duty’ maker, which is being acquired by Microsoft for $69 billion, has come under intense scrutiny for its toxic workplace culture and allegations of sexual harassment.
Last July, Activision was hit with a lawsuit from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, accusing the company of fostering a “frat boy workplace culture”, which is “a breeding ground for harassment and discrimination against women”.
In November 2021, the company’s co-lead Jen Oneal announced her departure barely three months after taking the job amid reports that she was paid less compared to her counterpart Mike Ybarra.
