Hello! My name is Hajar Zaiz. I'm a software engineer at Salesforce and the co-founder of a healthcare focused gaming studio. My interest in game programming started during my study abroad at UNCC where I wanted to try something new. I ended up making 3 games that semester and really loving it. I later went on to explore procedural generation in 3D games and affective computing in survival horror after I played ""Alien: Isolation"". I'm still looking for the recipe for the perfect horror to fun ratio.

In my free time, you can find me bouldering, creating, and spending time with friends and family. Currently playing Bloodborne.

Hi, I'm Rangoli! I'm a Game Designer and Developer with a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Throughout my entire life I have been fascinated with both science and art. Sticking to my affinity for both I discovered my passion for creating games and immersive experiences. What I aspire to do now is to create meaningful experiences using both art and technology. I love sharing my knowledge and learning from others and am constantly looking to try new things!

Hi, I'm Liz! I'm an undergraduate student at CSULB studying Computer Science. On campus, I'm involved in our Video Game Development Association as an officer. I assist in our beginner-friendly workshops and help other students develop their own games! I'm also heavily involved in Women in Computing, as a graphic designer and hackathon director. Our hackathon is dedicated to supporting women to hone their skills and helping them develop their confidence in the tech industry. During my free time, I love listening to music, attending concerts, reading, and playing Minecraft. :)

Hi, I’m Amelia! I’m a game designer, 2D artist, writer, and rising junior at USC’s Interactive Media and Games program. I grew up stealing Legend of Zelda and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games from my older brothers, so it’s kind of their fault I’m doing what I’m doing now. I only learned that game design was a career option during high school, but the second I figured out I could use drawing, writing, and computer science— some of my favorite things— to create games, I threw myself at it. I love teaching, and I love video games, so I’m excited to pass on some knowledge and see students’ creativity as they make their own new, incredible games!

Howdy! I'm a Detroit-Based Game and Narrative Designer! I've released 4 games over the last few years, and have covered a range of experiences from meaningful and narrative-heavy experiences, to cute games about birds. My most recent game, A Chirp in Space, integrates a narrative of isolation with the whimsicality and silliness of being a flightless bird in the middle of a space colony.

Alongside design, I perform research in Game Studies and have presented research at the Meaningful Play Conference as well as the International Conference on Narrative. I'm currently a Studio Writer for Internet of Hearts, working on the upcoming app, With Love.

I'm incredibly excited to help foster this space to create positive experiences, both through games and group interaction!

I'm Nashana or Nash for short. When I managed to hold a crayon as a toddler, I managed to create worlds. My goal is to show how imagination can be harnessed through our fingertips to make immersive experiences.

Hey, I'm Meghan! I love The Arts and have spent my childhood and now adult life designing new ways to bring creativity back into our culture and spark a love of The Arts in students! I've found the gaming community (of which I am a passionate participant) to be incredibly inclusive, creative, and supportive of each other. I'm obsessed with fantasy worlds, puzzle games, and playing games that are both engaging and beautiful to play in.

Passion wise, I love to read, play games (of course), and travel! I love seeing how artwork, games, books, and music are the ultimate go-between with cultures and how, even when traveling abroad, I can find connection with the communities there through The Arts.

Hello! I'm Mack, a soon-to-be college graduate studying English and Creative Writing at the University of Minnesota. I'm working and studying to become a Narrative Designer and Game Writer, and want to uplift young girls/gender non-conforming youth to do the same! I really wish I had something like Girls Make Games when I was younger- so I want to make camp as great as possible!

Jenna (she/her) is a senior Computer Science w/ Gaming & Animation major living in Oklahoma. She grew up in Alabama, where she played soccer for 15 years, worked at her city's local library, and played D&D with her friends every week.

Her interest in coding first began in high school during an engineering class while working with VEX robotics, and it quickly evolved into wanting to create video games in college. She's since participated in several Game Jams on campus and has recently taken an interest in looking at how to apply her programming knowledge to technical art.

When she's not behind her computer crying after Unreal Engine crashed for the 12th time in an hour, she can normally be found falling at the nearby bouldering gym, programming lights with her university's a/v tech team, swinging around a sword at her local HEMA school, or running away as her cat, Athena, tries to bite her.

Favorite games: Minecraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Pinstripe, Hades & Jedi: Fallen Order (plus so many more!)

Hello! I'm Devanie, and I am thrilled to be a counselor for Girls Make Games this summer. I am currently attending the University of Utah, where I am pursuing a degree in Games with a minor in Computer Science. My love for games has been a lifelong journey, but it wasn't until I started college that I truly realized this was my calling.

Some of my favorite games are Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Overwatch 2, and Stray. These games have inspired me with their creativity, storytelling, and technical brilliance. My expertise is 3D modeling and some programming but I have some knowledge in all aspects of game development!

I'm looking forward to creating unforgettable experiences and empowering the next generation to bring their own game ideas to life. Super excited to make some amazing games this summer!

".Hi, I'm Nico! I'm Brazilian and an undergraduate student at CESAR School, studying CS. I've been at GMG for a few years now, both as a camper and as a counselor. I love taking part in hackathons and game jams; they are always super fun and engaging.

Apart from games and programming, some of my interests include design, robotics, astronomy, learning languages, and experimenting with yummy food. Some of my favorite games are Undertale, Omori, Breath of the Wild, Colorful Stage!, One Shot, Hollow Knight, and many more.

GMG was where I had the opportunity to make my first game! It's always exciting when I get to share the things I learned from it and make it so other girls can also have fun with the magic of creating games."

Hi! My name is Amy and I am an upcoming junior at the University of California, Berkeley. I am double majoring in Data Science and Economics and my hobbies include weightlifting, playing sports, traveling, and trying new foods and boba spots around the Bay Area! In the future, I want to work in product roles or with AI because the future is changing with it and the world is slowly revolving around it. With a strong passion for data-driven decision-making and a deep interest in data, finance, business, and innovation, I plan to utilize my skills and knowledge to enhance the technological aspects!

Yoyoyo everyone! My name is Regina and I aspire to create meaningful games that build a community while bringing excitement, enjoyment, and fun. I hope we can be on this journey together!

Hi! My name is Cate Estilo. I live in New Jersey and I'm 16 years old. I am passionate about all things STEM and writing, making game design the perfect blend of both. I've attended multiple GMG camps and workshops over the years so I am beyond excited to be returning as a counselor!

"Salam! My name is Avah (like lava)! This is my second year with Girls Make Games and I'm a junior at University of Washington Bothell, majoring in Computer Science.

I've been in love with video games and felt this is the industry I should be in. I'm excited to work with campers again this year and see what they plan on creating!

Fun fact: I'm fluent in English, Farsi, and German. I'm currently playing Baldur's Gate 3, and my favorite games are Wizard 101, Destiny 2, and any Zelda game <3"

Hi everyone! I'm Gabi, a rising sophomore at Stanford University studying Symbolic Systems. I'm academically interested in ethical design and AI, but outside of that I love eating, bouldering, and playing video games (though that's a given)! I'm super excited to be working with you all and help new worlds come to life :)

I am a Washington-based Graphic Designer and Illustrator, currently advancing my Bachelor’s in Game Art. Passionate about crafting engaging game visuals and dedicated to learning and teaching the art of game design.

"Michael has been obsessed with games since as long as he can remember. He grew up fascinated with Mario, Pokemon and most of all, Zelda games. When he was in high school he discovered his first game engine, RPG Maker. Since then he hasn't stopped making his own games.

Michael now owns his own indie game studio called Kindred Games. He launched his first commercial game in 2020 on Steam and has been adding updates to it through the years. He livestreams game development content and loves teaching and empowering aspiring game developers to help them follow their passions."

Hey y'all! My name is Lainey and I am from Austin, TX. I'm a GMG alum and I'm so happy to be back to make games with y'all this year.

Hi! I'm Isabelle, an upcoming Narrative and UX game designer! Storytelling through interactive media is my calling to life! I've loved games ever since I was a toddler. I would watch my parents play games on our GameCube and Xbox360 and always thought they were so cool. When I got older, my favorite games were the ones that pulled on your heartstrings and had plenty of extraordinary places to explore. I love Pokemon, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, Genshin Impact, Danganronpa, and many more. I spent a long time figuring out what I wanted to do in life, but it always came back to games. To create an emotional experience to tell a story is what I firmly believe I am here to do for the world. By being here at Girls Make Games, my goal is to help others who share a similar dream to mine in hopes of creating better games for the future!

Hey there everyone, I’m Paige! I’m from Tennessee and am majoring in Game Design at DePaul University in Chicago. As a student, I spend a lot of time doing games-related things. Coding in different languages, writing stories, making pixel art & 3D models, and the coolest part: playing them! I like lots of different games but Pokémon and Miitopia are big favorites of mine right now. When I’m not working on games I like to go on walks to enjoy nature or to visit museums; I love learning about animals and history. Making games is a big part of my life and I can’t wait to share that with all of you this summer!

I've always been interested in storytelling. From writing to designing to drawing to programming. Each of these skills are like amazing. Video games are just one of many ways in which we share experiences and, like the rest, it is magical.

"Hello, you who is reading this!

For as long as I can remember, I have always played and appreciated the art of video games. I have always pursued creating things, which started with drawing up comic strips, designing my own ideas for existing games, and eventually, creating my very own game. What draws me to creating art is a desire to craft my own world of meaningful experiences for others to enjoy and interpret via their interaction with said art.

That being said, making video games are really challenging because they require so many moving parts at once. Art, animation, programming and sound design just to name the tip of the iceberg. Learning all of these, or even one of these skills can be very daunting...

...However! I believe if you have the desire to pursue something, no matter how big and scary it may seem, you can indeed learn and persevere to reach your goal! I hope you can join me as we continue to learn together, and create awesome art along the way."

I'm Savannah, a rising senior at Santa Clara University, majoring in Computer Science, and minoring in both Studio Arts and Creative Writing. At Santa Clara University, I am a frequent tutor and grader of courses in the Math and Computer Science Department. I attend SCU with my younger brother, and we like to do our homework or go mini-golfing together. When I'm not at school or playing video games, you can find me tending to my collection of stuffed animals, potted plants, and Legos, or catering to my lovely cat, named Wasabi. My favorite video games are Risk of Rain 2, Mario Party, Animal Crossing, Overwatch, and the Jackbox Party Packs, specifically "Push the Button" from Party Pack 6.

Hey there! I'm Kyra Comstock, an incoming senior at University of the Pacific studying Computer Science. Since I was younger, I have always loved gaming (mainly Minecraft) and remember spending hours chatting with friends and attempting parkour. I hope to spread the joy I felt playing to newer generations of gamers.

"Hi! My name is Amicie and I'm a rising freshman at Johns Hopkins. I plan to major in Cognitive Science.

I've always loved making and playing games- some of my favorites include: The Stanley Parable, Tetris, Undertale and Cytus 2. In my spare time, I enjoy composing poetry and drawing (I've recently been experimenting with pixel art!). I have two troublemaking cats, Kashi and Shiro.

I can't wait to help you all with your games and bring to reality your creative ideas! "

Hi! I'm Claire and I'm going into my junior year in high school. I've done GMG as a student for the past two years and I'm now going to be helping out the campers this year and helping capture the camp for social media! I love all forms of art and design and I'm really into crochet. My favorite video game is probably animal crossing and I'm excited to get to know everyone.

Hello! I'm Vanessa! This is my 8th year back at GMG and even though I may be a Jr. Counselor this time around, I'm still as excited as ever! I'm always down for something exciting and I'm not afraid to try something new. I could go from running around with my loveable (but chaotic) husky to just relaxing and drawing my favorite characters! I love games of all kinds and playing them is like second nature. My favorites so far would probably be Splatoon, Cuphead, SSBU, DDLC, Minecraft, Roblox, Stardew Valley, and so many others. Well, that's it for me! See you on the Flipside! ;D

Hi there! I'm Leisha and I'm a rising junior at Tufts University. I was first introduced to the field of game design when I took a class on creating games during my sophomore year. Immediately, I knew it was a niche in computer science that I wanted to pursue. I'm extremely passionate about increasing the number of women and non-binary people in such male-dominated fields, especially game design where this number is exceptionally low. GMG's mission to do by getting girls involved in this field at such a young age through camps really motivated me to be a part of this program. I'm extremely excited to be a part of GMG and I hope to make a long-lasting impact on the attendees!

Hello! I'm Sandy, a creative technologist and designer from New York City! As a rising senior at New York University majoring in Interactive Media Arts, I'm a big fan of all things art and technology-related. I'm also a dog person and a cat person. So, of course, my dog, Tofu, acts more like a cat than a dog. I played a lot of games growing up, and some of my favorites were The Sims, Just Dance, and Mario Kart.

Hello! My name is Sena, and I love video games!

I came to the United States from Russia to study Computer Science here at college. I chose Computer Science because I wanted to get skills I could apply to video game development!

I got into gaming when I was 6, and my first games were old Flash platformers. Now my favorite games are mostly indie pixel games in jRPG style, like Undertale.

Excited to meet you!

Hello! My name is Amaris Jenkins. I am a student at High Point University, majoring in Game Design and minoring in Media Production. I have worked with different aspects of design from audio and narrative to coding and art/modeling(2D and 3D). The first video game I ever got was Super Mario for the DS as a gift for my birthday. After receiving this gift, my love for video games began and then I started wanting to create my own. The very first game I ever made was with a couple of friends in 7th grade and that’s where my passion for creating my own games truly came out. One of my favorite genres of games to play is psychological horror.

Some of my favorite games are Inscryption, Amanda the Adventurer, and Undertale. Some of my hobbies are singing, reading, writing, and playing video games.

Hi, I'm Staci! I am a rising sophomore at North Carolina A&T State University with a passion for all things gaming! I am currently a computer science major with a background in graphic art. As an African American woman, I aim to use my skills to bring diversity into gaming. I hope to inspire the young girls who follow me by showing them that a lack of representation shouldn't stop them from pursuing their dreams!

Hi! I'm Claire, and I'm a student at the University of Southern California majoring in CS Games. However, I grew up in NC and will be teaching at the Raleigh location! I program and do user behavioristics research. I've always enjoyed video games as a storytelling medium, and support GMG's mission to uplift female voices in the industry telling their own stories. I also do gymnastics as a hobby, and have two orange cats named Curtis and Cheddar.

Hey there, I'm Ava! I'm a high school student planning on pursuing a game design degree. I have enhanced my skills through a 3D modeling class and a game development camp. I love to draw, paint, sculpt and, of course, play video games! I particularly love story games, with my favorite being Life is Strange. I am excited to connect with others who are passionate about

Hi! My name is Cate Estilo. I live in New Jersey and I'm 16 years old. I am passionate about all things STEM and writing, making game design the perfect blend of both. I've attended multiple GMG camps and workshops over the years so I am beyond excited to be returning as a counselor!

Cesca (she/they) is a game designer and educator based in Chicago, IL. They are an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, University of Nebraska Lincoln, and an instructor at Lillstreet Art Center. She has a dog named Olive and loves chai lattes!

A passionate game developer that utilizes experience with video games to design and implement fun and creative gameplay mechanics. I enjoy taking the elements I find fun about my favorite video games and turning them into something new and innovative in my own games.

"Hi! I'm Alisa, and I love creature collection and taming games! I've been working in the games industry for 5+ years across several disciplines, game engines, and UGC (user-generated content) platforms.

You can often find me in game jams and hackathons over the weekend with all sorts of side projects from short online multiplayer games to Discord/Slack bots. A personal project I'm proud of is Dino Dabber, my take on Chrome Dino but with players dabbing into their webcam instead to jump. I love helping people express themselves creatively and hope you all get to make things you're proud of too."

"Hi, my name is Wendy and I am so excited to be a part of GMG! As someone who has experience as a teacher, game artist, and advocate for girls within the gaming space, I am so excited to be a part of an organization that strives on educating, and empowering girls to make games.

I graduated from the University of Utah in their game arts program, and I am honored to be able to use my skill set and experience to help these games come to life!

My clear interests and hobbies include videogames and art, however I also enjoy baking, playing with my two rabbits, and using my creativity within the fashion and beauty space."