Leadership — Speakers Gallery — Shawnee Game Conference

Jose Araiza

With nearly three decades at the forefront of the video game industry, Jose Araiza has helped shape some of the most iconic experiences in gaming history. His career spans from contributing to the groundbreaking MMO EverQuest to producing content for AAA blockbusters like Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Today, he brings his extensive expertise and visionary leadership to the innovative startup environment at Umanaia in Montreal, continuing to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.

2014, 2025, 2011, KeynoteGuest UserSeptember 22, 2025Gaming, Keynote, Production, Leadership, GameDev, 2025, 2014

Sam Bushman

Sam Bushman has been working in games for over 12 years. After he graduated from SSU he found himself applying his education to research projects, indie game development, online RPGs, and even Magic the Gathering!

2025, 2011, GameDevGuest UserSeptember 18, 2025Gaming, Production, Leadership, GameDev, Speaker, 2025

Nicholas Ludowese

Nick is a current game programmer at GhostJam Games working to release the game Backseat Drivers and has worked on the titles Scrap Age VR, Scrap Age Survivors, and Vail VR.

2025, 2021, GameDevGuest UserSeptember 18, 2025Gaming, Production, Leadership, GameDev, Speaker, 2025

Ben Kvalo

SGC 2024 Keynote Speaker Ben Kvalo is an entertainment and video games industry leader, most recently supporting the build-out of films and games at Netflix. Prior to Netflix, Ben has worked at two of the largest global video game companies, 2K and Blizzard, working across various roles in the publishing, marketing, and technology end of games and Esports.

2024Guest UserOctober 8, 2024Gaming, Keynote, Production, Leadership

Renee Gittins

SGC 2024 Keynote Speaker Renee Gittins leads Stumbling Cat, an indie studio based in Seattle, and is a multi-disciplinary leader with expertise in business operations, software engineering, and creative direction.

2024Guest UserOctober 8, 2024Gaming, Keynote, Production, Leadership

Benjamin Carcich

SGC 2024 Keynote Speaker, Benjamin Carcich! Ben spent time on League of Legends post-launch (2011-2017) and was on VALORANT while it was in R&D. Ben is a certified co-active coach and official ICAgile trainer. He’s been teaching concepts around Agility, Production, and Game Development Leadership since 2015. He co-hosts the Building Better Games podcast and newsletter and has spoken at multiple events including GDC 2024.

2024Guest UserOctober 8, 2024Gaming, Keynote, Production, Leadership

Jessica Manrow

Jessica Manrow is a Graduate Assistant at Western Kentucky University in the Esports program and is a student in the Educational Leadership Doctoral program.

2021, 2022, 2023Guest UserAugust 21, 2023Esports, Leadership

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