Former Activision Blizzard Leaders Jen Oneal and J. Allen Brack Open Up About Their Challenging Departures

Jen Oneal and J. Allen Brack, former high-ranking executives at Activision Blizzard, have spoken out about the difficulties they faced when leaving the company. In an interview with VentureBeat, the pair reflected on their time since departing from the gaming giant. Oneal, who spent nearly two decades at Activision and served as executive vice president of development at Blizzard, cited pay disparities as the reason for her 2021 exit. It was only after submitting her resignation that the company offered to match her salary with that of her co-lead, Mike Ybarra. Discussing her departure, Oneal expressed that while she cherished her memories of working on notable games, her primary concern was the well-being of her colleagues, making it particularly hard to leave during a tumultuous period. Following her exit, Oneal continued to support women in the gaming industry through her non-profit work and role as a board member for Women in Gaming International. Meanwhile, J. Allen Brack, former president of Blizzard, also left the company in 2021, amidst a lawsuit alleging widespread harassment and discrimination against women at Activision Blizzard. Brack described his separation as "incredibly difficult" but believed it was necessary for the company to heal and move forward under new leadership. He has since dedicated himself to understanding his role in driving cultural change, immersing himself in personal accounts and opinions on how things could have been improved. During his tenure as president, Brack noted that Activision Blizzard made significant strides in addressing employee inequities and implementing more inclusive practices and policies. Despite the challenges, Brack remains optimistic about the company's potential, stating that he still believes Blizzard can evolve into a haven for creatives, fostering a positive culture for all employees.