The Art of Collaboration: What I’ve Learned on the Path to Creative Leadership

Working on The Sims as an animation lead taught me that charm, nuance, and storytelling can (and must) survive the handoff. In a franchise where every gesture tells a story, I immersed myself in understanding The Sims’ unique performance style: expressive, player-driven, and full of heart. That deep study became the foundation for a scalable training program I created for our global outsourcing teams—ensuring that even across continents and cultures, each animation felt cohesive, playful, and unmistakably Sims. I learned how to give empowering, actionable feedback, how to champion clarity over perfection, and how to lead with both precision and compassion.

As my role evolved into Associate External Development (XDEV) Art & Animation Director, my scope expanded beyond animation to include broader visual storytelling and cross-discipline collaboration. I work closely with both internal and external partners to align on vision, style, and quality, all while balancing production realities with creative goals. In-person on-sites with our internal team at the EA Studios in the Bay Area have been invaluable, giving us space to reconnect, align priorities, and strengthen creative bonds that fuel our remote workflows. These touchpoints help ground our global work in shared understanding, trust, and momentum.

Now, as I grow toward a director-level leadership role in XDEV, I’m focused on building systems and cultures that empower people to do their best creative work. I believe in mentorship, thoughtful pipeline design, and investing in relationships.. because the art of collaboration is just that: an art. Whether I’m guiding studio partners, mentoring artists or launching a nonprofit, my purpose is the same—to create environments where creativity, curiosity, and care can flourish.