Lauren McLemore
Lauren McLemore is an accomplished Lead Producer at Giant Skull, bringing extensive experience in game production and creative leadership. She specializes in defining product vision, building high-performing teams, and championing player experiences. At Giant Skull, Lauren leads the production of a brand-new Dungeons & Dragons game, overseeing team operations, establishing processes and pipelines, and fostering a collaborative, feedback-driven studio culture. Her approach emphasizes both creativity and operational excellence, ensuring that teams can deliver exceptional content while maintaining a healthy and engaged work environment.
Before joining Giant Skull, Lauren served as Lead Producer on Fortnite at Epic Games, where she guided multiple seasonal development efforts and led gameplay production. She worked closely with cross-functional teams to improve processes, pipelines, and discipline craft, all while delivering engaging content to millions of players. Her career also includes roles at Riot Games, Daybreak Game Company, and Electronic Arts, where she honed her expertise in product management, content creation, and team leadership across major titles such as League of Legends, EverQuest, and The Sims.
A lifelong gamer, Lauren immerses herself in a wide range of games—from tabletop adventures like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder 2e to video games such as Dota 2 and Stardew Valley. Her passion for gaming fuels her professional work, keeping her attuned to player trends and experiences. Lauren’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Cornell University, where she combined studies in communications, information science, and computer science, laying the foundation for a career at the intersection of creativity, technology, and team leadership.
• Cornell University - BS
• Electronic Arts (EA)
• Fortnite / Epic Games
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of confidence, hard work, and the support of those around me. From a young age, I’ve set ambitious goals—whether in academics, athletics, or my career—and pursued them with persistence and discipline. While effort and dedication have been crucial, I’ve also been fortunate to have the guidance and encouragement of family, friends, and mentors. I take pride in dreaming big, putting in the work, and striving to pay forward the support I’ve received along the way.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my parents: they would do everything they could to help me achieve my dreams, but they could never want it more than I did. Their support—whether driving overnight to lacrosse games or making every experience meaningful—taught me the value of hard work and resilience. My mom also instilled a sense of boldness, reminding me that youth is fleeting and that sometimes the risks worth taking aren’t about money, but about seizing opportunities and experiences.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For young women entering the games industry, my advice is to commit fully to whatever you choose to pursue and work to become a subject matter expert in that area. The most successful people I’ve seen are proactive problem-solvers who take initiative, seek out opportunities to learn, and aren’t afraid to ask for guidance. Build experience through portfolios, networking events, or game jams, and don’t be discouraged if your path shifts along the way. Finding strong mentors and learning from those you admire is one of the best ways to grow and thrive in your career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is AI and how it’s transforming the way we work. I’m excited by its potential to bridge the gap between ideas and execution, enabling people with creative visions—but without certain technical skills—to bring those ideas to life. Personally, as someone with aphantasia, AI has opened new ways for me to express myself visually and explore creativity in ways I couldn’t before. The possibilities for innovation and problem-solving in the next 5–10 years are incredibly exciting.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Creativity is at the core of both my work and personal life—it’s a muscle I constantly exercise through exploring new experiences, seeking inspiration, and challenging myself. I embrace growth at the edge of my comfort zone, whether that’s learning new skills, traveling, or pursuing adventurous hobbies. Equally, I value kindness and respect in all interactions; approaching others with empathy makes collaboration and growth far more meaningful. I live by the idea that on the other side of fear often lies something remarkable.
Locations
Giant Skull
Cary, NC 27511