While Blizzard Activision will be acquired by software pioneer Microsoft in 2023, the gaming giant is still showing signs of restructuring, as the Irvine-based company continues to move forward with new positions and appointments.

Having recently appointed a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer in early April, the video game developer has announced another new role inside the company, which is aimed at “maintaining creating a workplace, create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture where people at every level can learn, grow, and bring their most creative selves to their work,” according to Blizzard.

In a release dated Monday, May 5, Blizzard introduced Jessica Martinez as the newest Vice President, Head of Culture at Blizzard.

Martinez, who spent more than a decade at the Burbank-based Disney Parks company as the Director of Strategic Operations for the Chief Technology Officer prior to Blizzard, will “work to ensure values are reflected in our day-to-day operations and organization design,” according to the release.

“Making the values of our connections show up in what we do is how we bring humanity back to business,” Martinez said. “When you create a people-first environment where teams feel safe, valued, and work together toward a shared purpose, everyone thrives – the employees, the players, and the business.”

In March, Activision Blizzard reached an $18 million settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over its lawsuit which alleged a “frat-boy” culture, multiple allegations of sexual harassment, and also alleged that the company promoted a culture of misogyny.

Part of the settlement included entering a three-year consent decree.

“Combating sexual harassment remains a top priority for the EEOC, and we will vigorously enforce federal laws against it,” EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows said. “Every employee deserves to be treated with dignity and to work free from unlawful harassment and retaliation. I’m encouraged when employers agree to work with the EEOC to address discrimination in their workplaces.”

Last year, during a company walkout in Irvine, Blizzard insiders told Irvine Weekly many employees, especially female employees, felt coerced into not speaking out about the culture, and when they did they were only ridiculed for doing so.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.