GamesBeat has unveiled the judging committee for the inaugural BOSS Mode Awards, which recognize women leaders across games, entertainment, media and technology and will debut at GamesBeat Summit 2026.
The BOSS Mode Awards arrive at a pivotal moment for the business of gaming. Women now make up nearly half of the global gaming audience, according to the Entertainment Software Association, yet they represent a significantly smaller share of the workforce and leadership ranks, per International Game Developers Association data. As games continue to expand their influence across entertainment and technology, that gap underscores both a challenge and an opportunity for the industry.
“The BOSS Mode Awards highlight the women who are shaping what it means to be a leader in games and interactive entertainment,” said GamesBeat CEO Gina Joseph. “Through their work, these awards help define the evolving role of women in the industry and the impact they have on the ways audiences experience games and interactive media.”
The committee
This year’s judging committee reflects GamesBeat’s cross-industry scope, bringing together leaders spanning development, publishing, communications, community platforms and transmedia storytelling. The 10-person panel includes:
- Perrin Kaplan, principal and co-founder, Zebra Partners
- Kat Jones, the founder of Motiv
- Tim Morten, the co-founder and CEO of Frost Giant Studios
- Veteran game developer Rich Vogel
- Mike DeLaet, the president of Ares Interactive
- Jennifer Acree, the founder and CEO of JSA+Partners
- Aubrey Quinn, a senior vice president of the Entertainment Software Association
- Savannah Badalich, the global head of product policy at Discord
- Dmitri Johnson, the founding partner and producer of Story Kitchen
- Sibel Sunar, the chief executive officer of Fortyseven Communications
The BOSS Mode Awards
The BOSS Mode Awards’ committee of judges and the GamesBeat team will vote to award the following awards to three standout women among a pool of over 300 names submitted by the public. Together, panelists will evaluate nominees based on leadership, influence and their contributions to a rapidly evolving ecosystem that increasingly connects games with broader entertainment and technology landscapes. Awards will include:
- The Boss Mode Woman of the Year Award: With this award, GamesBeat honors a woman who has significantly influenced the industry over the past year.
- The Future Boss Rising Star Award: This award honors an up-and-coming woman in the industry who has managed to make a splash in a short time.
- The Final Boss Award for Lifetime Achievement: This award is for the legends who have been in the industry for 10+ years and have made a lasting positive impact.
Winners will be announced during GamesBeat Summit 2026, which takes place on May 18 and 19 in Los Angeles — where global industry leaders will gather to explore the challenges and opportunities defining the next era of games. Sign up now to attend GamesBeat Summit and see the awards presented live, using code GBSUMMIT10 for a 10-percent discount.