Contributors

Chris Hewish

President, Xsolla

Author of Durable Advantage: Five Pillars of the Modern Game Business, and a trusted game and technology executive with operational and strategic leadership experience at Activision, DreamWorks, and Xsolla.

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Derrick Stembridge

Vice President of Global Public Relations, Xsolla

Leading global strategy for communications and media relations, and telling the story of how Xsolla helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games.

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Mark Caplan

Global IP licensing advisor, Xsolla Agency

Entertainment and licensing executive with 30+ years building global consumer products, gaming, and licensing businesses for major film, television, and sports entertainment properties.

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Berkley Egenes

Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, Xsolla

Creator of successful data-driven partnerships, collaborations and campaigns for brands and organizations to elevate their awareness, perception and experience in the market place.

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Gauri Sheth

Senior Business Development Manager, APAC Region, Xsolla

Seasoned professional with a proven track record in the internet industry. Highly skilled in online gaming, content production, customer service, e-commerce, business development, and marketing strategy.

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Pranab Punj

Strategic Advisor, India, Xsolla

Seasoned global business leader, entrepreneur, and board director with a proven track record of pioneering innovation in the gaming, media, and technology sectors.

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Jana Hodgins

Director of Strategic Partnerships, Ecosystem, Xsolla

Speaker and strategist delivering systematic alignment to drive clarity, momentum, and sustainable business outcomes.

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Afef Grimil

Head of Creator Partnerships, Xsolla Partner Network

18+ years of experience, lead cross-functional teams and manage high-impact initiatives at TikTok, Xsolla. Driving operational excellence and strategic growth across digital marketing, influencer partnerships, and large-scale campaigns.

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Manny Hachey

Senior Director of Developer Success, Global Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Xsolla

Senior Director of Developer Success at Xsolla, Accelerator Program Director. Co-Founder & Creative Director at Positive Impact Games, games business, investment & studio growth.

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Eliza Chrichton-Stuart

Head of Operations, GAM3S.GG

Head of Operations at GAMES.GG, a platform building discovery infrastructure across a fragmented gaming ecosystem.

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Richard Bartle

Game Design Professor, University of Essex

Co-creator, MUD1. Author of the first book about virtual world design "Designing Virtual Worlds", New Riders, 2003. Independent consultant, Emeritus Professor of Game Design.

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Machaiah Kalengada

Program Director, GDAI

Program Director at Game Developer Association of India, the national industry body representing India's game development ecosystem.

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Shawn Fischtein

Co-founder and CEO, Gaggle Studios

CEO at Gaggle Studios, the creative force behind the hit multiplayer social deduction game, Goose Goose Duck.

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Elizaveta Savenkova

Chief Business Development Officer, ZiMAD

CBDO at ZiMAD, mobile games developer and publisher, leading global business development, managing partnerships with industry giants and driving long-term growth initiatives.

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Andrew Naicker

Senior Product Manager, Skystone Games

Senior Product Manager at Skystone Games, a multiplatform gaming company built for the world, full-service publisher, and a partner helping independent developers bring their ideas to life - built to last and built on fun.

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Lexi Sydow

Chief Analyst & Founder, The ATTN Economy

Co-founder of The ATTN Economy, an independent media company and consultancy on a mission to make the dynamics shaping public attention visible, understandable and actionable.

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