New Blizzard President: Johanna Faries Succeeds Mike Ybarra
Johanna Faries has been announced as the new Blizzard president. This is the first leadership change since Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Key Takeaways
- Johanna Faries is appointed as Blizzard’s new president post-Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition.
- Faries was previously the head of Call of Duty esports.
- She will assume the presidency on February 5.
Following the departure of Mike Ybarra and 1,900 other employees, Johanna Faries has been appointed as the new leader of Blizzard.
Who Is the New Blizzard President?
The new Blizzard President is Johanna Faries. She joined Activision in 2018 as the head of Call of Duty esports. Previously, she spent a decade working at the National Football League.
When Is Blizzard’s New President First Day?

Faries is set to take on her new position starting February 5. In an email addressed to all Blizzard staff, she conveyed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as President beginning next week. She also expressed empathy for those who were caught up in the layoffs:
“Today also brings some mixed emotions. The loss of talented teammates in recent days is hard to hold side-by-side with the immense excitement I feel about joining Blizzard – and building on the momentum you’ve created for Blizzard’s next chapter.”
— Johanna Faries
Faries herself acknowledges the distinctiveness of each company’s approach to game development and community engagement. She expresses a commitment to respecting Blizzard’s unique identity while exploring avenues for growth and innovation:
“Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities. It is important to note that Call of Duty’s way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard’s realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I’ve discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I’m walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights.”
— Johanna Faries
Blizzard’s new president mentioned that there will be informal and optional meet-and-greets where she wants to hear more from people across the organization. And in a side note about herself, she shared her enthusiasm as a dedicated fan of Diablo IV:
“A few personal facts about me: my #1 job in life is raising two amazing boys. In addition to parenthood, a typical week for me includes finding time for daily yoga and prayer, and of course, playing video games (big Diablo IV fan over here!). Throughout, the joy I find in games – and working with those who make them – only deepens.”
— Johanna Faries
At the moment, fans have yet to know what will happen next. They can’t wait to see Blizzard’s future trajectory under her leadership. What about you? What do you think about Blizzard’s new president, Johanna Faries? Let us know in the comments!
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Comments
WoW… how politically correct…