Bio

I'm a sociologist who analyzes social stratification, its effects of stigmatization and marginalization on underrepresented groups, and those groups' development of belongingness. My particular research interests involve the study of socio-technical cultures, minority stress and stigma, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the realm of media and technology, especially in games and the games industry. I pay particularly close attention to the development of group solidarity among LGBTQIA+ individuals in virtual gaming spaces, as well as minority game developers. In my work, I cultivate authentic relationships, conduct social science research, and lead projects/orgs/communities aimed at connecting people to their career/creative goals. I'm adept in multifaceted roles where I create and implement strategic plans, develop meaningful relationships, advise teams/organizations, collect and use data to inform decision-making, and oversee large-scale initiatives from start to completion. By building strategic and high-impact partnerships with diverse stakeholders across various industries, I lead organizations toward their mission of supporting the educational achievements and career advancement of their constituents with a focus on increasing belongingness in technology and games. For those whose curiosity lead you this far.... Most people in my network may not know I am a musician and singer-songwriter with a background in film production. I perform at fandom-based conventions (with obvious interruptions in scheduling due to COVID). I also use music as data presentation in arts-based sociological research, with plans to incorporate film/video and games into these projects as well. I founded and lead two companies: a consulting firm (MagiTech) supporting clients' strategic business process development and implementation of tech and project management tools, and an indie studio (Astral Interactive) focused on creating interactive experiences with empathy at the heart of gameplay and storytelling. In 2015, I established an LGBTQIA+ online guild in Final Fantasy XIV and continue to lead the community today. I'm a firm believer that we are all life-long students, and am currently advancing my technical competencies related to audio production and coding.