2026 GameHERs Icon Nominees

I’ve been a gamer my whole life, my family introduced me to this amazing world and has always supported me in pursuing it. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to show the world my skills and prove that I belong in the esports industry through my content and interviews with pro players and audiences during tournaments. As we know, there aren’t many women in the esports industry, and being a girl gamer often makes you aware of how others treat you, both online and in person. I want girls to see that they can have a career in esports and to showcase the incredible contributions women bring to the industry. I’ll continue working hard not just to make my family proud, but to make my younger self proud too.

Ansley Partosa is a pillar of the South Texas esports and game development community. For eight years, she has led the Greater Gaming Society, building platforms that elevate local talent through esports tournaments, charity fundraisers, volunteer leadership opportunities, and San Antonio’s first Gaming Summit. She champions inclusive ecosystems centered on equal opportunity, intentionally uplifting women and LGBTQIA+ voices in gaming and tech. Through her work with the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF), she connects students worldwide, helping transform esports into a bridge to education, and long-term career pathways. Her work continues to expand the horizons of what is possible for the next generation of Texas gamers.

I’m Ari, a streamer who is big on mental health awareness and making sure even the misfits are seen. I try to create a space where people can show up as themselves without fear of judgment or dismissal. I believe leadership in gaming means setting boundaries, protecting your community, and using your platform responsibly.

I'm Artemis and have been streaming for around 4 years now and just recently got into YouTube as well! I love hosting events, panels, and networking events. I also post daily advice content on platforms like X and appreciate being nominated for this award!

“OMG WHO NOMINATED ME FOR GAMEHERS ICON? You really think I’m iconic?” -Anaís on stream after seeing the nominations My chat thinks I am iconic, so it must be true. Icons do not pick the title for themselves they’re given it so I asked my chat why they nominated me for this. Here are their answers: “Anaís represents what I want the streaming community to be” “Anaís makes new cosplayers feel welcome always” “Anaís is the ‘get a girl who does both’ meme except she does it ALL” “Obviously you’re iconic” -Twitch chat

Cheryl Platz is a pioneering senior leader in video game creation and education, with over a dozen shipped games (The Urbz, Marvel Strike Force, etc.) and a background uniquely suited to help gamedevs cope with our multimodal, multiplayer, live-service world. Her design work has impacted, directly or indirectly, billions of people over the past 2 decades at Riot Games, Electronic Arts/Maxis, Griptonite Games, Microsoft, Amazon, the Gates Foundation, Scopely, and now The Pokémon Company International. In 2025, her Carnegie Mellon video game MBA class inspired her book “The Game Development Strategy Guide” and her hit companion podcast “Enduring Play.”

I’m a content creator, podcaster, and advocate dedicated to uplifting women and marginalized genders in gaming and esports. Through my work on Behind the Joystick, Boss Rush Network, and community-driven storytelling, I spotlight voices often overlooked and create space for meaningful conversations about access, equity, and growth in the industry. My impact comes from consistent advocacy, collaboration, and showing up—both on and off camera—to help make gaming a more inclusive place for the next generation.

I'm InDeeDee and I like to call myself a Dee of all trades. I'm an entrepreneur who does a lot within the community. I have a content creator agency, I run London MeetUp events powered by Twitch, I'm a content creator and so much more. I like to help and inspire people to achieve their goals as I believe there is more than enough room at the table for people to eat. Being nominated for the GameHers Icon award is so gratifying because it shows that the work I put in pays off for so many people.

I’m Divatopia, a streamer of almost eight years and a single mom who’s raised two boys while building a full-time career in content creation I’ve used my platform to show that women, parents and creators who don’t fit the traditional box still have a place and a voice in this industry. I blend gaming with cosplay/makeup, ventriloquism, and voice acting. I’ve built a community centered on creativity, inclusivity, and the 3 P's- Patience Perseverance & Passion. I’m honored to be nominated as a GameHers Icon.

Hello, I'm Zora, Full time streamer, creator and mom. I support and help support everyone and anyone who might want it. And we are a community to help eachother grow each day as a person and creator.

Hi, I’m Erika, a creator rooted in laughter, gaming, and ultimately being whoever you want to be. I prioritize ensuring everyone in the community is heard, seen and, welcome in the space of gaming and creating, especially women! I'm proud to be one of the voices for many black women in gaming and to be continuously building an inclusive space where we are always appreciated!

My name is Ingrid, but I'm mostly known as as Furious Kitty. I am incredibly passionate about gaming, tech, and pop culture, and most of all, about creating a space where like-minded people (especially women) can feel welcome, heard, and free to express their passions as well. I am honoured to accept this nomination, and I will continue to strive to grow the gaming scene in a positive, inspiring, and inclusive way.

Girls Make Games is a series of summer camps, workshops and game jams designed to inspire the next generation of designers, creators, and engineers. Launched in 2014, the program has reached 8,100 girls through workshops and camps, and over 27,000 through tutorials, games and resources. We're so honored to be nominated for this award in the Icon Category! We strive to make the magic of games accessible to everyone.

Hi everyone~! I'm Lauren Vi Pham (laurvin)! I've been gaming ever since I was a little girl, on my trackpad, 60fps, and a dream. It's been an honor to create music for the Minecraft & Indie-Game community. The most fun I've ever had producing a song was truly for the sledding game community, with "the sledding frog". The fact that my career allows me to bridge my two passions into one makes me just incredibly grateful every day. I'm so thankful for all the amazing gamers and viewers who cherish my content, streams, & music! And I cannot wait to create more~!

Known in the gaming community as “The Misfit Butterfly,” Dalesia or her pen name “Lesi Tesfaye” is a passionate writer and storyteller. Hailing from New Orleans, Lesi is a loud mouth gamer who mainly revolves around horror. Coming from a small yet popular city, she has multifaceted a creative output that bridges the worlds of literature, digital storytelling and being yourself in the process of expressing that light to others who enjoy her content.

Lia Fuziy is a Brazilian game developer, educator, and community leader dedicated to strengthening the games industry through collaboration and access. As Chair of IGDA São Paulo and Coordinator of Game Dev Toolkit, she has helped build spaces where emerging developers can connect, learn, and grow professionally. Lia organizes events, educational programs, and initiatives that support diversity and sustainable careers in games. Her work bridges education, industry, and public dialogue, contributing to a more inclusive and structured ecosystem for game development in Brazil.

As a solo creator, I never expected Awaken 8 to reach anyone beyond my screen. But as I shared my art, story, and process, I began connecting with creators who felt encouraged seeing someone build something alone from scratch. My project centers on healing, friendship, and remembering who you are themes that have resonated with many people around me. If my work has helped make gaming feel a little more welcoming or inspired others to believe their voice matters, then I’m grateful. I hope to continue creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and included.

I’m Michelle, better known as TacticalGramma. I've been gaming for over 54 years. From the beginning, with Pong & Atari to modern titles like Call of Duty. I'm blessed with an incredible community I affectionately call my "Grandkids". I'm passionate about making the gaming space safe for everyone, especially those from underrepresented communities. I love supporting charities, foundations, and community outreach programs that make positive impact in the world we live in. I used to be quite introverted and never imagined I’d end up here. I hope my journey inspires people to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.

Hi, I’m Megs! I created my channel as a way to escape the chaos of the world and to raise awareness for charity. I joke that I’m bad at all video games but that I’m here for the good times and good vibes so that’s all that matters. I have cultivated a community of fellow gamers who have generously supported my efforts during our charity drives. We have raised over $4,100 so far nationwide!

Gamer girl from South Africa, been building up a community on TikTok and Twitch.

Nicole Martinez, better known as Niku Geek, is a Puerto Rican content creator known for covering anime, video games, and geek culture through authentic and engaging content. Through event coverage and curiosity-driven videos, she aims to amplify diverse voices in gaming and inspire audiences to connect with geek culture beyond entertainment. Her work is rooted in passion, representation, and the creation of welcoming spaces for fans.

Noctvrals is a variety streamer and Cosplayer that strives to embark on a journey of creativity through video games and cosplay. To be able to create and convey how she is feeling through different mediums is a privilege, and she is not stopping any time soon. She is a gamer who enjoys retro games, storytelling games, etc. It shaped her into the career path she’s in now, to be able to stream new and old games to her audience, and make new experiences with her community brings her joy and she hopes her community feels the same way she does.

Hi! I'm Paopura, a 25 year old variety streamer from Texas who you can probably find either getting scared at indie horror games, screaming at Dress to Impress or yapping about everything and anything with my community. I pride myself on creating a fun space where we can all come together to escape from whatever we have going on in our lives. Thank you for nominating me for this award!

All I want is to make everyone smile, feel safe & get away from their problems for a short period of time. I try to make everyone feel as included & welcome on my side of the internet as I possibly can.

As a research psychologist, I've spent my career researching, advocating, and consulting on video games and the people who play them. I've worked with everyone from the United Nations to the US Congress to game studios, helping shape policies and products that make gaming communities safer (and more fun!) for everyone. In all of my work, I focus on bridging the gap between what research actually tells us about games and what people think they know - that games are not to blame for all of society's problems but rather tools to heal, connect, and transform the world.

My name is Kayla (Rinnegoddess) Im a Philadelphia based content creator! I started making Content in 2020! I Started off making comedic skits and commentary around anime/comics. Then getting into making cosplay content and started a Twitch channel for gaming and building community!

Riris Marpaung is the CEO and Co-Founder of GameChanger Studio, a visionary leader championing Indonesian indie games on the global stage. Blending strategic business acumen with a deep commitment to narrative, Riris spearheaded 1998: The Toll Keeper Story, drawing from her personal survival during the 1998 Indonesian crisis to ensure historical authenticity. Beyond studio leadership, she is a fierce advocate for equity, mentoring the next generation through Indonesian Women in Game (IWIG). Her work bridge-builds between commercial success and social impact, proving that diverse, localized stories possess the power to resonate with a global audience.

Six years of growth, hard work, and building my lovely community has led me to a GamerHERs Icon nomination. Thank You Cuties! - Your silly goose, cosplay queen, and chatting bestie.

My name is Aurora, your local chaotic garden fairy here to steal your heart—metaphorically, of course! It’s an incredible honor to be nominated for GameHERs Icon among so many talented, hardworking femmes who inspire me daily. This year has been a whirlwind: after losing my job as a Flight Attendant due to a fibromyalgia diagnosis, I chose to pour myself fully into content creation. Since then, I’ve grown to nearly 100,000 across all platforms and helped raise over $30,000 for the Trevor Project. As a horriety and ASMR creator, my goal is to champion femmes and marginalized communities and help shape a better industry for us all.

I am a big gamer at hear especially when it comes to Playstation. Gaming gave me a safe place growing up and I hope to inspire others to find a safe place in gaming.

Hi, I’m Sarah, also known as Sreme. I’m a gaming creator dedicated to building welcoming, community-first spaces where people can connect, have fun, and feel like they belong. Through creative live content and intentional community building, I’ve focused on fostering positivity and meaningful connection in gaming. My goal has always been to lead by example and help shape a culture where community, kindness, and shared experiences are at the heart of gaming and streaming.

Hi, I’m Stassi. I’m a Sims creator, storyteller, and host of Stassi J Unplugged. I create from the heart, whether it’s building dream worlds, telling emotional stories like Rose Chronicles, or spotlighting amazing builders in our community. Being part of the EA Creator Network is such an honor, but what I love most is the people — the laughter, the friendships, the creativity we all share. My cat Korra is usually nearby, and there’s always a coffee close. I’m just a simmer who loves what she does, and I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you.

Stefy Bau is a trailblazing leader at the intersection of gaming, motorsports, and STEM education. A three-time Women’s Motocross World Champion turned esports executive, she is the Founder & CEO of Init Esports and co-founder of Sim4STEM, building inclusive pathways from grassroots gaming to professional competition and careers in technology. Through global programs, major events, and policy leadership, Stefy has expanded access for women and underrepresented communities, reshaping what leadership and impact look like in gaming and esports worldwide.

Hi! My name is taylorstation or taylor and I have been streaming for 3 years now. I recently got “my big break” 2 years ago and feel like I have been on the rise since. I love coming up with fresh new ideas to promote myself on TikTok, fun streams that haven’t been done before or if they have, making them different in my own way, etc. Alongside this, I work a full time job and I am teaching myself to be a tattoo artist so I’m a very hard working and passionate about with everything I have going on.

My name is Yuki Raines (YUKIDANINJA), Founder and CEO of Realm of Raines Digital Marketing. My agency leverages my professional and personal network to help growing creators and brands achieve their goals with comprehensive support and reduced operational burden.

Jana "AKA" xLegendaryDollx, is literally a Doll. The sweetheart & community mom of her Legendary Fam. Known for her infectious laugh, high energy, bubbly personality, her streams are like a boost of seratonin where its feels like you're being hugged through the screen. (She also has an insane Pokemon & Sanrio plushie collection). Doll is a full-time content creator & partnered streamer on Twitch. She is a tourney organizer & caster for her "Legendary Series" where she hosts Apex Duos, Scrims, Random Royales & Marvel Rivals events. In a span of 3 years, Doll has spread positivity & recognition by bringing all parts of the casual & competitive community together, allowing them to network over the 400 events shes organized & held.