Power Players: Women Leading the Charge in Gaming & Esports 2025
These power players are proof that women in gaming and esports aren’t just playing the game—they’re changing it. Whether it’s through education, advocacy, content creation, or event production, they’re building a future where everyone can level up and find their place in the industry.
At Femme Gaming, we’re all about creating spaces where women in gaming are recognized, celebrated, and supported. This is just a glimpse of the many talented, driven, and game-changing women making their mark.
Katina Papulkas – Championing Esports in Education 
Sr. Education Strategist, Dell Technologies
Katina Papulkas has been instrumental in integrating esports into education across Canada, pioneering new ways for students to engage in STEM and game-based learning. With her work at Dell Technologies, she has helped schools build esports programs, create state-of-the-art gaming lounges, and inspire young women to enter the gaming industry through her Girls Who Game program. Her innovative approach has helped legitimize esports as a valuable educational tool, showing how gaming can enhance student engagement and learning.
Key Achievements:
- Successfully integrated esports programs into multiple educational institutions across Canada
- Founded Girls Who Game, increasing female participation in STEM and esports
- Designed cutting-edge gaming lounges for schools, enhancing student engagement and learning
“Being a woman in the industry means breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. It’s about showing young women that they can lead, innovate, and excel in any field they choose.”
Maria (Nina) Abila-Garcia – Elevating Esports and Community Impact
Senior Program Management Analyst, AMD Canada
Maria Abila-Garcia is a force in gaming and esports, leading Community Gaming Sponsorships & Events for AMD Canada. Passionate about philanthropy and inclusivity, Maria’s work spans grassroots esports tournaments, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and empowering the next generation of gamers and innovators. Through her efforts, she demonstrates how gaming can drive community engagement and positive social change.
Key Achievements:
- Lead PM for the Xbox Special Olympics 2021, winner of the ESPN Sports Humanitarian Award
- Organized and managed 300+ grassroots esports tournaments
- Facilitated 100+ hardware donations to nonprofits, research labs, and community organizations
“A woman’s strength, resilience, determination, and grace is a powerful thing. She can and she will.”
Stef Sanjati – Bridging Gaming and Beauty for Inclusivity
Founder, Sanjati Inc. | Co-Founder, Paidia Gaming
Stef Sanjati is redefining the intersection of gaming, beauty, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. A content creator, entrepreneur, and gaming industry leader, Stef has collaborated with major gaming companies while building inclusive spaces for women and marginalized genders in gaming. Her multifaceted career bridges mainstream gaming with community advocacy, proving that creativity and social impact can go hand in hand.
Key Achievements:
- Partnered with Xbox, Bethesda, Activision-Blizzard, Ubisoft, and PlayStation
- Co-founded Paidia Gaming, a women-led gaming and tech company
- Hosts two weekly gaming shows with e.l.f. Cosmetics, merging beauty and gaming
“What I love most about being a woman in the gaming industry is the sense of community we have with each other. There’s a sensation of familiarity with each other’s struggles, wishes, ambitions, and passions in a way that is immediately bonding. Being in this industry has allowed me to experience a feeling of sisterhood I haven’t felt anywhere else, and I’m grateful for that.”
Destinee Cleveland – Uplifting Women in Gaming Through Community
Founder & Creative Director, Dames 4 Games
With 15+ years in gaming, Destinee Cleveland has built an organization dedicated to supporting and amplifying women and femme-identifying individuals in the industry. Through Dames 4 Games, she fosters professional growth, mentorship, and a stronger sense of belonging in gaming. Her community-driven approach ensures that women in gaming are more visible, supported, and connected than ever before.
Key Achievements:
- First game shipped as a narrative designer for Mattel’s Monster High: Skulltimate Secrets
- Celebrating the 2-year anniversary of Dames 4 Games
- Interviewed industry icons like Sam Béart, Cissy Jones, and Colleen Larson
“You deserve to be seen, heard, and respected.”
Valerie Shih-Lau – Leading Esports Events & Marketing
Esports Marketing & Events Manager, St. Clair College
From grassroots community-building to large-scale esports productions, Valerie Shih-Lau has become a powerhouse in esports marketing and event execution. At St. Clair College, she leads award-winning initiatives and creates opportunities for the next generation of esports professionals. Her leadership in collegiate esports demonstrates how passion and innovation can transform a local scene into a nationally recognized program.
Key Achievements:
- Founded Toronto Fortnite and Toronto VALORANT gaming communities
- Won NACE 2024 Marketing Team of the Year
- Finalist for Social Media Excellence (Scholars Awards) and Esports Excellence (TheGameHers Awards)
“Success isn’t about where you start, but how far you’re willing to push. As a woman, every barrier is just an opportunity to push through to create legacies that empower others in the space.”
The women featured here are driving change and making an impact in gaming and esports. At Femme Gaming, we’re proud to celebrate their achievements and amplify the voices of women in gaming and esports. Let’s keep pushing boundaries and leveling up together!
