Johanna Faries

Speaker Bio

Johanna Faries was named President of Blizzard Entertainment in early 2024. In this role, Faries oversees Blizzard’s global portfolio of iconic game universes and IP, including development, publishing, business strategy, technology, and story and franchise development.  

Faries brings deep commercial and brand leadership experience to some of the biggest franchises in entertainment. Prior to her current role, she served as general manager of “Call of Duty.” Before joining Activision Publishing, she began her career in the sports industry, having served 12 years at the National Football League (NFL), holding various positions across marketing, league initiative strategy, fan and business development, and more. As Vice President of Club Business Development at the NFL, Faries interfaced closely with NFL team owners and presidents to bolster their local businesses year-round.  

A graduate of Harvard University, Faries has been named to Variety500’s list of Business Leaders in 2024, 2023, and 2022. She was recognized as Executive of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2022, named one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports by both Sports Illustrated and Adweek, and included in FORTUNE’s 40 Under 40 list of the most influential business leaders. She also serves on the board of directors for the Call of Duty Endowment and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission advisory board.  

Throughout her career, Johanna has also held executive positions in a broad range of diversity and inclusion programs, as well as those focusing on career development and mentorship, and she continues to do so as executive champion of Activision Blizzard’s Black Employee Network.