- Women in Gaming IL founded in 2019 by Neta Friedlander and Eleanor Sheps.
- Community boasts over 1500 members.
- Aims for gender equality, especially in C-level roles.
- Annual conference focuses on inspiration and career pathing.
Neta Friedlander, co-founder of Women in Gaming in Israel, shares her journey from a seasoned marketing professional to a fervent advocate for gender equality in the gaming industry. At the Calculus Gaming Conference 2025, Friedlander elaborated on the origins and ambitious goals of her organization, emphasizing the critical role of community and visible role models in fostering a more inclusive environment.
Neta Friedlander's career spans over 15 years in marketing, with a significant focus on the gaming and fintech sectors. This extensive experience ultimately led her to establish herself as a marketing advisor, content strategist, and professional writer. However, it was her passion for volunteer work and a deep-seated belief in empowering women that truly led to the co-founding of Women in Gaming IL in 2019, alongside Eleanor Sheps. The initiative began by simply connecting underrepresented female leads and managers with journalists, quickly revealing a profound need for a dedicated community.
Today, Women in Gaming IL boasts a vibrant community of over 1500 members. Despite this growth, Friedlander highlights a critical disparity: while women constitute approximately 30% of the overall gaming industry workforce, their representation in C-level and founder roles plummets to single digits. The organization's ultimate goal is to achieve true equality, a state Friedlander notes consistently leads to increased financial success for companies and enhanced professional advancement for all individuals involved.
Central to Women in Gaming IL's strategy is the powerful philosophy, "You have to see it to be it." This principle directly influences the curation of their annual conference content, such as the upcoming Yakoni conference on March 1st. By featuring women who have navigated diverse career changes and achieved leadership positions, the conference aims to inspire attendees to envision their own long-term career paths rather than just focusing on immediate next steps.
The benefits of membership extend beyond inspiration. The community fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, providing a trusted network where women can seek honest advice, gain valuable insights, and receive guidance for career transitions. It's a supportive ecosystem designed to ensure that no professional journey feels like "the road not taken," offering a platform for members to explore possibilities and connect with those who have walked similar paths.
“You have to see it to be it.”
- Neta Friedlander, Co-founder of Women in Gaming Israel
