Kim Phan

Former Global Product Director For Blizzard ESports &Strategic Leader Shaping The Future Of Competitive Gaming

Kim Phan’s Biography:

Kim Phan is a respected esports and gaming industry leader, best known for her senior leadership role at Blizzard Entertainment, where she helped shape the global esports ecosystem for some of the world’s most iconic game franchises. A former Director of Esports Operations and later Global Product Director for Blizzard Esports, Kim has overseen large-scale international events, built high-performing teams and developed long-term strategies that have influenced the evolution of competitive gaming. Her expertise across live operations, partnerships and esports strategy makes her a sought-after speaker on the future of gaming, digital communities and leadership in fast-moving industries.

Kim’s career began in engineering and security technology, where she developed a strong technical foundation as a software engineer working on secure systems and fraud prevention tools. After moving into the games industry, she joined Blizzard Entertainment, where she spent over a decade progressing through increasingly senior roles. Early on, she managed risk, anti-cheat and fraud prevention systems for major titles including World of Warcraft, Diablo III and StarCraft II, ensuring fair and secure player experiences at scale.

As Blizzard’s Senior Manager and later Global Product Director for Esports, Kim led teams responsible for strategy, operations and infrastructure across multiple global titles including Overwatch, Hearthstone, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm and StarCraft II. She oversaw international teams and complex live event operations, including Blizzard’s flagship esports presence at BlizzCon. In this role, she became a senior leader responsible for building systems and structures capable of supporting the rapid global growth of esports.

After leaving Blizzard, Kim moved into the agency and brand strategy world, joining 160over90, where she led gaming and esports strategy for major clients including T-Mobile. There, she managed partnerships with leagues, teams and global events, helping brands engage authentically with gaming communities. She later co-founded RTS, continuing her work at the intersection of gaming, culture and commercial partnerships. Kim is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in esports and regularly speaks on career pathways, leadership and the future of the industry.

Why Hire Kim Phan?

Kim is hired as a speaker for her rare combination of deep operational esports experience and commercial strategy expertise. She has led global teams, managed large-scale live events and shaped partnerships between major brands and gaming communities, giving her a 360-degree view of the esports ecosystem. Earlier in her career, she was also an active voice within the competitive gaming scene, running a popular Warcraft III fan site and providing tournament commentary and event coverage, which gives her a grounded understanding of esports from both community and industry perspectives.

She also brings a powerful personal perspective on leadership, inclusion and career navigation in a rapidly growing industry. Kim speaks with clarity and authenticity about building sustainable teams, earning trust in digital communities and leading through scale and constant change. Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of where esports is heading and how organisations can engage meaningfully with the next generation of audiences.

Kim Phan’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Kim Phan’s inspirational career:

• 2025 – Played a strategic leadership role at RTS as the company supported the full acquisition of the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) by Qiddiya.
• 2021 – Co-founded RTS, helping shape new models for talent, partnerships and strategy in the gaming and esports space.
• 2019 – Joined 160over90 as Senior Account Director, leading gaming and esports strategy for global brands including T-Mobile.
• 2016 – Appointed Global Product Director for Blizzard Esports, leading strategy and operations across multiple international titles and regions.
• 2013 – Promoted to Senior Manager, Global Esports at Blizzard, overseeing planning, partnerships and operational systems for global competitions.
• 2012 – Became Senior Manager of Business Intelligence and Risk at Blizzard, leading anti-cheat, fraud prevention and player security initiatives.
• 2006 – Joined Blizzard Entertainment, beginning a long tenure shaping competitive gaming infrastructure and operations.
• 2001 – Began her professional career as a Software Engineer, developing secure systems and technical solutions in the security technology sector.