Forging a New Path in Boston

How did your producer career begin?

I always envisioned myself being either an animator or a storyboard artist. But after graduating from art school I was offered a job as a production assistant on a PBS Kids show. It was going to be a short term thing but became six years of my career, and I left as a Senior Producer.

Was the shift to producing a key moment for you?

It was a huge shift. Beforehand I did concept art, wireframes, helped with voice recording, and so on, but also did production assistant things on the side. And I found I liked the producer stuff more and more. I made the switch and have been a producer ever since.

How did you end up in video games?

I always wanted to work in video games but no big studio would hire me because I didn't have direct experience. So I thought, “Why not go to an indie studio?” I did a Google search for indie games made in Massachusetts and The Flame in the Flood came up, the first game developed by The Molasses Flood. I played the game and thought it was amazing, so I emailed the studio, attached my resume, and said, “Hey, I've been in the indie space before. I know you're not hiring, but I just wanted to tell you that I think The Flame in the Flood is a gorgeous product. If you're ever looking for a producer, I would be happy to talk to you.” I went in for an interview a week later and got the job. My journey to executive producer now on Project Sirius is a combination of luck and lots of hard work.

Have video games been a big part of your life?

Oh, huge! I grew up as an only child that was very shy, so video games were the best thing I could do. I played a lot, and still have my original Sega, Nintendo 64, and SNES consoles. I've always loved being able to immerse myself in the world of video games, and that’s where my dream of working in this industry came from. I still have to pinch myself when I say I work in games. If I meet people, they're always like, "Wow, that's so cool." And you know what? It is! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be here.

What is the day-to-day of an Executive Producer?

My day-to-day covers a whole wide world of different topics from high level quarterly budget spreadsheets to one-on-one meetings with designers to discuss the nitty gritty of combat systems. Yesterday, for example, I worked with the Narrative, UX, Design, Animation, and Production departments. It’s busy but I like how wildly different it is and I feel really fulfilled getting to work with so many different people, especially as they share my creative roots.

Do you enjoy working for CD PROJEKT RED?

It's so exciting to work for a company that is so successful but also so humble. Everybody from the board members to fellow REDs I pass in the corridor have been so kind and supportive. The team is so genuinely passionate about what we do. Even though I'm busy and have much on my plate, I just adore my job.

Is it hard working for a studio spread across two continents?

Our mornings in Boston can be very busy because this is when we overlap with Warsaw, but our afternoons are lighter as a result. We've been working this way on Project Sirius since 2021 and it's been relatively seamless. The time zone difference hasn’t once caused production issues, and we really feel like one giant team.

What advice do you have for people wanting to work in video games?

I’m always looking for somebody who is hungry to learn, humble enough to admit what they don't know, and willing to put in the work to learn it — and that applies to every role! Right now, for example, we’re hiring for a range of engineering, design, UX, and art leadership roles. Despite how varied these positions are, those core qualities are important to them all.

What do you like most about working in Boston?

I'm all about anything that feels old. And Boston is one of the oldest cities in the US. I love finding historical sites and there are so many — especially downtown when you get towards the cobblestone and brick areas of Faneuill Hall and the North End. And when the sun is shining it's just gorgeous. And you can walk along the ocean! Massachusetts is also beautiful in general. There are so many different ways of living here. You could live in the industrial part of the city. You could live in quieter parts, close to the shore. You could live near me in northern Mass, where the apple orchards and pumpkin farms are. So I think any type of person could be super happy here.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?

I care so much about Project Sirius and this team that my biggest goal is simply releasing it to the world; I believe in this game wholeheartedly. In the position that I’m lucky enough to be in as a VP at CD PROJEKT RED, I'm also hopeful to showcase what women can achieve in video games and plan to support many others in reaching such leadership roles.