Spotlight on Women Leaders from Testronic’s US Center of Excellence
Wrapping up our Women’s Month spotlight series, we’re celebrating the talented women whose leadership, passion, and expertise drive Testronic forward. This final feature shines a light on three inspiring leaders from our Center of Excellence in New Orleans, sharing what sparked their careers in gaming and the impact they hope to have on the next generation.
Ashley Newman — QA Test Lead
Ashley’s journey into gaming began with a lifelong passion for video games, which led her to start her career at GameStop. There, she spent several years developing her skills, growing professionally, and immersing herself in a community that shared her enthusiasm for gaming.
Ashley hopes her career journey demonstrates that there are multiple paths to success in the gaming industry. She emphasizes that being driven by curiosity, a willingness to contribute, and a hunger to grow can help anyone achieve their goals.
In what ways do you hope your career journey inspires the next generation of women in gaming?
Ashley: I hope my growth journey can show others that if you really want to accomplish a goal like working and growing in this industry, there are many avenues to do this.
Let yourself be driven by the hunger to learn, contribute, and grow and you can find a way to accomplish any of your goals.
Emma Hurstell — QA Project Manager
Emma’s love for video games started in childhood, from classics like Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot to Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, which solidified her passion. Her journey shows how a lifelong hobby can naturally evolve into a fulfilling career in the gaming industry.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in the gaming industry?
Emma: I’ve always loved video games. I remember playing Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot for the PS1. The game that really got me thinking that this would be a lifelong hobby, though, was Sonic Adventure 2: Battle on the Nintendo Gamecube.
Then it was just a natural progression of trying to turn your passion into a career!
Elly Yeung — QA Project Manager
Elly emphasizes the importance of a proactive mindset in project management. By anticipating challenges early, teams are better positioned to address issues before they escalate.
For you, what is the most important yet underrated skill in your role/field and why?
Elly: The most important skill for me as a project manager is maintaining a proactive mindset. By working proactively, we give ourselves and our teams the best possible opportunity to find solutions before challenges escalate.
Celebrating Women Leadership in Gaming
At Testronic, we’re proud to work alongside Ashley, Emma, and Elly, whose passion, leadership, and dedication continue to inspire their teams and the next generation of women in gaming. From embracing curiosity and growth, to turning a lifelong love of games into a career, to leading with a proactive mindset, they are shaping the future of play.
As the final feature in our Women Spotlight series, their stories highlight the lasting impact of representation, leadership, and opportunity—driving meaningful, gradual change toward a more inclusive and diverse games industry. We’re grateful to work alongside inspiring women from our global Centers of Excellence in the US, Warsaw, and Manila. Their voices, leadership, and journeys continue to shape the future of gaming, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
