Game Changer Fireside Chat: Involving your Parents in your Gaming Career

Shae Williams aka Shaemmon is the co-founder of the 501c3 nonprofit Coalition of Parents in Esports with a mission to provide better information, resources, and support to gamers and their families. Upon entering esports like many parents through the passions of a child, she recognized the amazing opportunities this brave new industry afforded to her son’s personal, educational, and career development and wanted other parents to see the positive opportunities for growth.

COPE (https://cope.gg) provides support and resources through their partnerships across skills development, child safety, wellness, education, and career needs. The team also has a mission to support youth through scholarships to be used for career development, travel to events, and education.
Shae is a former software executive with IBM and mom to pro gamer and content creator Vanish Duster as well as Brooke, an accomplished figure skater, and dancer and soon to be 3rd generation Baylor coed. Duster is 16 and undecided on college and career, but he knows it will be in esports.

Melanie Risley is a passionate educator, event coordinator, and people connector. Beginning with a career in education, she now works in the burgeoning esports industry at the leading scholastic esports provider PlayVS. An educator first, Melanie is responsible for setting the bar for esports coach training and development. She develops and manages a curriculum including webinar sessions, PlayVS Academy, and is always keen on educating everyone around her for the better. Currently, she is the Community Marketing Associate at PlayVS where she’s working on a multitude of projects including Coach Chats, Youth Influencers, and PlayVS Game Changers, an initiative to inspire and empower more marginalized gamers.