ERG in Focus: Women’s Ultimate Team
The month of March is internationally recognized as Women's History Month - and on March 8th we celebrate all women, across the globe, for International Women's Day.
At DICE the work of celebrating and supporting women does not stop in March. Through the support of engaged leaders and driven developers, we will continue to push for a more diverse and equal workplace for anyone identifying as a woman. At the heart of it all is the employee resource group the Women's Ultimate Team, or WUT for short.
We have met with WUT steering committee members Jewell Morelli (Development Director at DICE and WUT Sweden co-chair), Erin Sullivan (Sr. LEAP Consultant and member of DICE and EASE Leadership Team), and Effeli Holst (Head of Operations at SEED) to discuss WUT's role at DICE.
When talking about the purpose behind WUT Jewell explains “Globally we are a community, a safe space, and a change driver for gender equality in both the workplace and within our games. We want to be able to build resources, come together, and target specific development opportunities for women to grow our workforce to become more gender equal and provide more representation where we make games - so we are able to represent authentic experiences across all types of diversity including gender diversity”.
WUT is driving for change in the workplace - focusing on supporting the talent and forcing a change from the top down. “We want to work with the people we have - and really elevate and celebrate each other's differences, see them for the potential and richness they have” Effeli added. “It's also a way to build a positive, inclusive, network that anyone can engage in. It's not just for people identifying as women, it's also about showing allyship - we help each other“.
On the topic of allyship Erin highlights the importance of having an authentic and responsive leadership in place that values and drives these questions. “At the EA Studio Europe level David Rutter, SVP of EU Studios, is such an advocate for empowering and supporting women, and I have seen and felt a noticeable shift at his leadership level as well as the level below. It just goes to show how critical it is that leaders live it themselves”. Jewell agrees and chimes in that “Part of our role as an ERG (Employee Resource Group) is to be able to advocate for the population, and we were not able to do that before as we did not have a seat at the table. Now with allies like David we are able to have these discussions”.
“I have seen and felt a noticeable shift at his leadership level as well as the level below. It just goes to show how critical it is that leaders live it themselves”
With more women gamers out there, having a diverse and inclusive workplace is now more important than ever. “We are moving in the right direction and there are great opportunities to connect our ERG initiatives back to our business. This isn't just a ‘nice to have’ initiative, but critical to the business as well”.
On the ongoing conversation on why employee resource groups such as WUT exist - and why it is only aiming towards women - all three agree that the reason is simple: “WUT stands for something, where in a great world we wouldn't need to shine a light on women, but we do need to - because there is a problem. (…) There are still so many challenges that women face in tech, in gaming, and in studios like DICE“ Erin said. Both Effeli and Jewell agree and add “We are at the very beginning of a transformational change within EA Europe, we are just starting to do the work. We have a long way to go - but we are recognizing the problem on all levels and are really putting in the work now”.
“In a great world we wouldn’t need to shine a light on women, but we do need to because there is a problem”
When talking about what they are most excited about for the future of WUT there were many thoughts brought up. There is so much this group has done, and are continuing to do to drive diversity, inclusion, and allyship within and for women inside, and outside the organization.
Jewell says that she is most excited about the opportunities that come with organisations such as WUT. “There is so much focus on professional development that is really important for the female population - but also benefits every person within this organization”. “And all the initiatives we have, and the new ideas of initiatives from our members” Effeli adds. “You never know what's coming - and there are so many ideas out there“.
“And there is of course our Girls GameJams! That is the most empowering thing ever” Effeli mentioned. “The reactions of these girls participating having all these amazing female role models to build a game with is just amazing. You get so much out of arranging it - it really makes people come together. It's such a fun memory”.
Erin jumps in “I am so inspired by the women around me. I am so inspired by our resilience. And the way we show up. I just look forward to more of that”.
WUT will continue to celebrate women well beyond the month of March.
This “ERG in Focus: Women's Ultimate Team” article is the second one in a series where we explore the different employee resource groups we have at DICE - and how we work together to build better games and create more opportunities for inclusion within our studio.