Jamie Knight Appointed Chief Studios Officer at IGT

IGT has announced that Jamie Knight has been appointed as the company’s  Chief Studios Officer effective January 1, 2027, succeeding Jean Venneman, who will retire at the end of 2026 after more than three decades in the gaming industry.

Knight will build on the foundation established under Venneman’s leadership and oversee IGT’s continued investment in its studios, with a focus on innovation across game design, content development and studio operations.

Two Decades of Industry Experience

Knight brings approximately 20 years of experience working across major gaming suppliers, with expertise in translating creative concepts into gaming content.

Having started her career in creative roles, she has developed an understanding of the collaborative processes involved in turning original ideas into products for players. This experience will inform her leadership of IGT’s global studio operations.

Venneman Leaves Global Studio Foundation

Venneman will retire on December 31, 2026, following a career of more than 30 years in gaming. She began her career at IGT in the early 1990s and subsequently held senior positions spanning product development, licensing, technology and operations before returning to the company in 2024.

Since her return, Venneman has rebuilt IGT’s global studio operations, assembling a studio organization of more than 1,200 employees, establishing shared practices across different studio cultures and strengthening the creative and operational structure of the business.

“Jean's leadership created the foundation for this next phase of growth,” said Hector Fernandez, IGT CEO. “She brought together talented teams, strengthened how our studios operate and raised the bar for creative and operational excellence. We are deeply grateful for everything she has contributed to our organization and our industry. Jamie's combination of creative instinct, studio leadership and focus on innovation in design and math will build on that momentum and unlock new possibilities across our combined studio organization.”

Focus on Game Design and Math Innovation

In her new position, Knight will establish priorities for IGT’s studio teams while promoting innovation in game mechanics, mathematical modeling and content development.

Her role will also focus on creating an environment that enables creative teams to develop content responding to the evolving requirements of players and gaming operators worldwide.

“I'm energized to lead our studio teams and build on the strong foundation in place,” said Jamie Knight, incoming Chief Studios Officer. “Together with our talented teams across IGT and Everi, we'll push the boundaries of what's possible in game design, content strategy, and math innovation to deliver world-class experiences on the floor.”

Leadership Transition Ahead of 2027

Venneman said that strengthening IGT’s global studio organization represented an important part of the final stage of her career and expressed confidence in Knight’s ability to continue developing the organization.

“Returning to this organization and helping strengthen our global studio organization has been a meaningful way to close my career,” said Jean Venneman, Chief Studios Officer. “I am incredibly proud of our studio teams and the foundation we have created. I am confident Jamie will carry that momentum forward and help unlock the next phase of our growth.”