Venus Piñeyro De Hoyos is an experienced IT development leader who has worked with Fortune 50 and high-tech companies. Over the past 13 years, she has immersed herself in managing tech solution teams for companies such as Dell and Bearing Point. Currently, Venus is the Senior Business Intelligence Manager for General Motors, where she devotes her time to leading a team of skilled professionals who aim to improve the GM customer experience. In addition to her impactful roles in tech, she is passionate about helping disadvantaged communities and advocating for diversity in the technological world.
What got you interested in helping with the planning of Game Chica? This is a field full of possibilities for creation and innovation and also one where women are severely underrepresented. Giving young women an understanding of gaming and options to participate is very motivating for me
Tell us about a challenge you’ve faced in your career and what you learned from it. I graduated with my degree in Economics and didn’t know anyone to open the door for me. I learned the importance of networking and of finding mentors and being a mentor for others to help the new generations move forward
What do you like the most about your job? I love the CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra. She came in at a time of extreme turbulence for the company and has been able to succeed at changing the culture of one of the largest companies in the world to one of inclusivity for people of diverse beliefs, backgrounds and mindsets.
What would you tell your 18-year-old self? Try to adopt an attitude of “yes, and” for all the important relationships in your life.
Why is it important to have a diversity in the gaming workforce? People design and create for what they are familiar with, if we have a homogenous gaming workforce we will likely have also a very homogeneous (or even inaccurate) representation in the games designed.
Do you think video games can be used for good/to make life better for people? Games can be a force of good, whether it is learning, contributing to a cause, or relating to one another they can increase the quality of life of a person.
