Inside Kate Gorman's Remarkable Leadership Journey

In the next article in our Women’s History Month series, we dig into Kate Gorman's tenure as VP and GM of The Sims at Electronic Arts. From her start on Star Wars Day to her influential role in leading The Sims franchise, we explore her career milestones, growth within the company, and memorable achievements along the way.

Q: How long have you worked at Electronic Arts? How has your role grown while here and what are some of your memorable milestones and achievements?

“I started at EA on May 4th, 2020 – who can forget an immediate immersion into EA culture by starting on Star Wars Day, May the Fourth! 

Four years here, because of the fast-paced nature of live services and mobile, feels like 10 years' worth of work. For me, the highlights and milestones revolve around the people and the players. I’ve been able to work on some of the most impactful franchises for female players: Design Home, Covet Fashion, and The Sims. The highlights aren’t what you might think – they involve getting to talk about fashion trends, accent pillows, wallpaper, and pop culture at work and having those topics be relevant, as they represent what our players are interested in.

There’s a feeling of being completely yourself and realizing that the passions you have outside of work – from appreciating how new designers like Jonathan Anderson can shape and change a nearly 175-year-old brand like Loewe to watching reality TV – can help shape how games and entertainment impact culture and the world for the better.”

Women's Leadership and Inclusivity in The Sims Studio

From fostering inclusivity within The Sims studio to creating experiences that empower female players, we uncover how Kate and her team are driving innovation and cultural impact within Electronic Arts.

Q: How do you perceive the role of women in shaping the future at Electronic Arts, particularly within your studio?

“All generations love and appreciate entertainment. The worlds of gaming and entertainment are more intertwined than ever, and women at EA play a role in shaping the future of those entertainment experiences. Particularly in The Sims, we create entertainment opportunities that allow our players to discover themselves, experiment with the world, connect with their friends, and create as a means of self-expression. The whole team, including the women behind this game, is shaping the lives and promoting the power of girls and women by creating experiences that are inclusive, interactive, and impact culture and the world beyond entertainment. “

Q: How do you foster a supportive and inclusive environment for your team members, irrespective of gender?

“The Sims represents a microcosm of the world. Through creating a virtual world that reflects real life, but with a whimsical and positive outlook, we have to think about the endless possibilities our players want to see. They want to see themselves and experiment with that in the world of The Sims - and through that lens, inclusivity is core to the experience of our community and thus our team.”

Q: Are there specific mentors or role models who have influenced your journey?

“I wouldn’t be at EA today if it weren’t for Laura Miele. She fosters not only a culture of inclusivity, but she enables us as leaders to disrupt ourselves, be bold, and push the industry forward through our innovation and action. She has an incredible IQ and EQ combination that fosters a high-performance environment combined with kindness and respect. 

Andrew Wilson is also incredibly inspiring. He has an ability to set and communicate his vision and he can speak to the ways in which we produce not just games, but interactive communities, worlds, and entertainment that have a true impact on the world of sport and life through our incredible reach as a company.”

Adapting The Sims to Industry Trends and Leadership Insights

From the inception of life simulation gaming to the integration of online communities, we uncover insights on staying ahead in the industry while finding balance in leadership roles.

Q: In what ways has the video game landscape changed over the years, and how have you adapted to these changes?

“The Sims created the life simulation genre. We’ve been a force in shaping the world of gaming for the past 24 years and pushing innovation in the industry as the connectivity, modalities of play, and hardware have evolved. 

Where our players play will continue to evolve, but the ability for players to use games and online communities to connect and create have an ever-present ability to drive and influence the cultural zeitgeist remains unchanged. The Sims is the original game of user-generated content in so many ways - and the benchmark of how to create a platform that allows for endless creativity, expression, and possibilities that can continue to evolve at the speed of pop culture powered by the creativity of our players. 

Video games, especially in online communities like The Sims, allow our players to connect to a large community of people like them. They are able to experiment with sexuality, actions – and reactions – in the world, and try on different lives that they might want to live, all while also adding some fun and enjoyment in watching what their Sims might do next: flirt with a neighbor or reach an inspired state by enjoying a hobby.  

The Sims is a platform to learn about the world and yourself and that will continue to become more connected and immersive as entertainment evolves.”

Q: How do you balance creativity and business acumen in your leadership role within the studio?

“I’ve always had a natural urge to create - from designing logos for my friends’ weddings, sewing and embroidery, coding applications and games, or interior design. 

The key insight is realizing that passion drives people. If you create experiences that allow people to feel accomplished, creative, and have fun, they will find value in that experience intrinsically but also they will be willing to put their spend behind that experience. Delivering what your customers want provides win-win experiences from a business perspective.”

Q: Please share a piece of advice for women currently in or interested in the interactive entertainment industry.

“Be bold. Keep testing and learning. Harness your power in understanding the world and the people around you. The future of entertainment is empowering others to tell their stories, connect with others, have fun, magical moments, and express themselves. Channel your passions and inspirations from all aspects of the world to understand how you can create experiences that provide that same passion and inspiration for others.”

An Enduring Legacy: Shaping the Future of Interactive Entertainment

Kate has not only steered The Sims franchise to new heights but she’s also been a driving force for empowerment within her team and among players. Her insights into navigating industry shifts while nurturing creativity and inclusivity offer invaluable wisdom for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. As The Sims continues to evolve and influence the gaming landscape, Kate’s leadership remains pivotal to its ongoing success, inspiring those around her to make a meaningful impact in the world of interactive entertainment.

Join the team! Check out our open roles at the Sims and EA here!