IGDA NYC Board of Directors Elections

IGDA NYC Board of Directors Elections 2023

Voting is OPEN!

2 Board positions are up for grabs, one up for election and one available for appointment. Candidate profiles can be found below and cast your vote HERE!


Olga Polukhina

Olga has been a veteran of the board since 2018 and has facilitated our efforts for events both in-person(prior to 2020) and virtual. Find Olga’s candidate statement below:

I've been on the IGDA NYC Board since 2018 and would like to continue. As Events Director I’ve enjoyed facilitating communication and collaboration among our members. In the next two years, I’m looking forward to hosting more live and hybrid live/online events to better serve our local NYC members and those in the wider Tri-State area.

Nicole Papadopoulos

Nicole has been a friend of the chapter for multiple years and helps with efforts over at Animation Nights New York. Hear what Nicole had to say about running for the Board below:

As a member of the NYC IGDA board of directors I’d like to empower and support the IGDA community and the local game developer community and industry.

I’d like to do this by:

My passion for telling stories has led to diverse creative experiences spanning a variety of mediums encompassing: Stage, Film, Television, Radio, Print, Web, New Media, 360 Video, VR, Video Games, & Podcasts. In diverse areas of the industry both in front and behind the scenes including: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Host, Voice-Over, Producer, Director, Writer, Choreographer, Casting, Creator, & Coach.

I've worked on many projects in the gaming industry, including the head of Voice-Over on iGiselle (Kinect Video Game): as casting director, VO talent director, as well as leading the creative oversight - working with many different disciplines including programmers, game designers, and actors.

I've worked in VR/360 video, including winning the NYC AT&T "Best Use Of Emerging Technology" create-a-thon award.

I work with Animation Nights New York (ANNY), a curated, monthly screening event and yearly festival that showcases the best Animated Short Films, VR Experiences, and Games (including Video Games) from across the globe (including Oscar winners & BAFTA winners). ANNY has also enjoyed the support of several industry jurors, panelists, and roundtable guests–including representatives from Disney, Netflix, Titmouse, Games for Change, and Meow Wolf. I'm a festival producer, am developing their ANNY exchange program, and their Cannes Film Festival Program.

I'm an award winning performer with extensive VO experience including: • Voice Arts Award nom. (alongside Kate Winslet, Lena Dunham, and Katy Perry) • Appearing in Game of the Year multi-award winning series "Dragon Age 2" (alongside Kate Mulgrew, Felicia Day). • Lead in the Award Winning Audio Drama: "The Gray Area"

I’ve been attending IGDA meet-ups for many years and have found it a great place to meet people from diverse backgrounds. I’ve enjoyed introducing people from my sphere to the IGDA community, as it is such an open and welcoming community. I've also appreciated meeting people from different parts of the Video Game industry that I would not have necessarily had the opportunity to meet in my area of the industry. I’m hoping to carry on IGDA’s tradition of inclusiveness by continuing to build out the community and connecting people from all areas of the industry.


Call for Nominations Nominations are now Closed

Annual chapter elections are an opportunity for members to shape the activities of the chapter and have an impact on the local game industry and community.

The chapter board of directors consists of five members, including a chair and a vice chair (or two co-chairs), a treasurer, and a secretary, plus any other titled positions the board may deem appropriate. One person may hold more than one office.

Elections are held for general seats on the board, and not for specific positions. At the start of each new term, the board votes to allocate position titles and duties among its members. Directors serve a two-year term, with staggered elections held annually.

In the event that any seat on the board is unable to be filled through regular elections or becomes vacant by resignation or any other reason, the remaining members of the board may vote to appoint an interim director to serve until the next election cycle.

This year two seats are open for election, with one seat reserved for appointment. Continuing members of the board are Mattia Sicuro and Kevin Hoskin.

Voting Eligibility

In order to run or vote in the election, you must be a paid, registered member of the IGDA by the close of the nomination or election period. To become a member, visit https://igda.org/membership/