President, Blizzard Entertainment
Activision Blizzard
When Faries stepped into the role of Blizzard Entertainment’s president in 2024, it had only been a week since Microsoft announced sweeping layoffs at Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard and its other gaming subsidiaries. Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. The deal closed in late 2023.
Faries, who replaced Mike Ybarra following his departure during the layoffs, brought with her years of experience in sports and gaming. Faries became the first woman commissioner of an esports league in 2018 when she joined Santa Monica-based Activision’s flagship Call of Duty franchise – a fact she didn’t know until long after she was hired. There, she was tasked with combating hate speech from players on the platform by muting voice messages and blocking chats.
Prior to her induction into games, Faries spent 12 years at the National Football League, where she was an executive before she stepped away. In 2020, she was recognized as one of the most powerful women in sports by Sports Illustrated.
YEARS ON LA500: 2
