As part of its ongoing attempts to reform its workplace culture, Activision Blizzard announced on Monday that it’s made a hire for its new diversity, equity, and inclusion officer position.
That hire is Kristen Hines, who will join the company on April 25. She previously spent almost 16 years as a Chicago-based managing director for the professional services company Accenture. At Activision Blizzard, Hines will be part of its senior leadership team, reporting to Chief People Officer Julie Hodges.
This follows through on efforts announced in late January, following the news that Microsoft was in negotiations to acquire Activision Blizzard for approximately all the money, that Activision Blizzard would undertake substantial internal reorganization in an attempt at reforming its culture.
That, in turn, was made visibly necessary by a lawsuit filed last August against Activision Blizzard by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges that multiple female employees at the company were subjected to constant sexual harassment, unequal pay, and other forms of discrimination.
A separate suit with similar allegations, brought against Activision Blizzard by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, was settled in late March for $18 million.
“I’m excited to join a company that is prioritizing its commitment to DEI and making progress on the ambitious goals it has set for itself,” Hines said in a press release. “In an industry with historical underrepresentation, I’m looking forward to leading the company’s efforts to further build a workplace that values transparency, equity, and inclusivity.”
