Carina Kom (she/hers) is a video Game Director, Producer, and industry Activist with ties to Vancouver, Seattle, and Toronto. With 15+ years of experience in the video game industry - working in indie and AAA teams - she has shipped content to multiple Gen4 and Gen5 platforms, Blockchain, and mobile.

Ashely Biski is an LA based actress with a passion for on-camera work, voiceover, and modeling. Her roots in musical theatre sparked her journey into the entertainment industry. She is most notably known as the voice of “Layla” in Genshin Impact, which won ‘Players Voice’ in the 2022 Game Awards. You can also hear her as the voice of “Juliet” in ‘The Nutty Boy” out now on Netflix. She has worked with countless developers like Bandai Namco, Mihoyo, Cygames, Modus. Along with companies like, BMW, Progressive, Puma, Ring, and Sony PlayStation, both on and off the camera. Outside of acting, she indulges in good food, good vibes, video games, and loves to serenade life like a musical.

Abel Mathew lives at the confluence of gaming, technology, and entrepreneurship bringing a blend of technical expertise, operational and strategic foresight, and an entrepreneurial mindset. His professional path includes roles such as CEO and Co-Founder of Backtrace I/O, CTO of Sauce Labs, and a Head of Engineering at AppNexus, where he successfully merged innovative tech solutions with strategic leadership and operational excellence. Presently, Abel is focused on developing solutions that support the creative and entrepreneurial spirit, participating both as a hands-on developer and as a strategic advisor to startups and venture capital entities. His approach is pragmatic and solution-focused, driven by a dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and enhancing the state of human expression.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Tom grew up with a passion for sports and musical instruments. His entrepreneurial spirit came to life when he started his first business during his undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta. Since then he has founded, bought, and sold businesses in a variety of industries including, construction, real estate, logistics, and retail. Tom’s passion for the screen industries came while owning companies in education technology and virtual reality. Tom has a passion for continued learning. He is fluent in Spanish and working towards his goal of French fluency. Married with six children, Tom loves to spend time with his family and share life’s adventures with them. He is actively involved in several community organizations and is an MBA graduate of the University of Alberta and a proud alum.

Riya has worked in four post-secondary institutions across Canada supporting technology commercialization, innovation, and university spin-out companies. In her most recent role as Associate Vice-President (Enterprise), Riya built the University of Alberta’s first strategic partnerships office supporting relationships between the university and corporate/community partners. She has a passion for the innovation ecosystem and helping to bring big ideas in research or in the community to life. She is committed to inclusive innovation and is always looking for a way to support the incredible Edmonton community in novel ways.Riya also served as Vice-President, Strategy & Innovation at Edmonton Global; an economic development agency developed primarily to support foreign direct investment and trade. In her role, Riya supported the functions of attracting and retaining business investment and trade for the Edmonton Metropolitan region by developing strong regional relationships.Riya holds a Doctor in Philosophy (PhD) in Physiology and Pathophysiology from University of Manitoba, a Master of Science (MSc) from York University, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Queen’s University and the Institute of Corporate Directors Designation (ICD.D).

Madison is the Vice President - North for the Alberta Esports Association and is in her first term as a Board Member of AESA. Prior to joining the Board, Madison worked with AESA to create Edmonton Direct and is a passionate advocate for the esports and game development sector across the province. Madison is also the founder of a local indie games studio focused on making cozy experiences and a Women in Games Ambassador.

Monica is a dedicated professional with a rich background in non-profits, focusing on causes she's passionate about. As an experienced educator, she empowers students, founders and newcomers to Canada. Her commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity drives innovation in her work as a coach and facilitator Edmonton Unlimited. In her free time, Monica pursues coding, showcasing her enthusiasm for personal growth.

Arthur Protasio is a Latin American Emmy-nominated writer-director renowned for his narrative-driven projects across games, VR, comics, film, and TV. His work on indie titles and AAA franchises, including Disney's Mickey Mouse, Asimov’s Foundation, Dreamworks' Trolls, and Netflix’s Cobra Kai, has garnered international accolades such as Best Game, Best Narrative, and Best VR awards. As the founder and CEO of the creative studio Fableware, Arthur and his team specialize in narrative development and cultural authenticity, assisting clients worldwide in crafting engaging stories for varied platforms. With a background in Law and Design, plus experience as a creative writing professor at the University of British Columbia, Arthur is a community leader dedicated to creating modern-day fables that inspire diversity, critical thinking, and social change

With over fourteen years of experience in government relations, Sneda is a seasoned Workforce Consultant (WFC) dedicated to developing a robust and resilient labour force. Based in the Edmonton metro region, Sneda offers employer outreach services in various areas, including coaching and empowering stakeholders in identifying and tackling their workforce development challenges. She champions the promotion and referral of stakeholders to relevant provincial and federal workforce programs, ensuring they have access to valuable resources and opportunities. Additionally, Sneda plays a pivotal role in assisting stakeholders in establishing Labour Market Partnerships and networks at both local and regional levels, fostering collaboration and synergy among key players in the workforce ecosystem. With a steadfast dedication to advancing workforce excellence, Sneda stands as a pivotal resource in driving organizational growth and community prosperity.

Interactive Arts Alberta is a non-profit founded in 2015 that supports game development and games culture in Alberta. This includes the talented Albertan creators who make video games, board games, XR experiences and support a diverse, robust, sustainable industry — province-wide. IAA supports game creators at all levels, from AAA, indies, educators, and even students. If you want to see game and technology development in Alberta grow, Interactive Arts Alberta wants to help you.