LAS VEGAS, NV – IGT has named Jamie Knight Chief Studios Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2027, succeeding Jean Venneman, who will retire at the end of 2026 following more than 30 years in gaming. Knight will build on the foundation established under Venneman’s leadership and lead IGT’s continued studio investments.
Knight brings two decades of experience across some of the industry’s largest suppliers, with a background in translating creative vision into successful gaming content. Having begun her career in a creative role, Knight brings that perspective to the development process, from initial concepts through finished products.
Venneman, who will retire on December 31, 2026, began her career at IGT in the early 1990s and went on to hold senior leadership roles across product development, licensing, technology and operations before rejoining IGT in 2024. Since returning, she has rebuilt the company’s global studio operations from the ground up. Under her leadership, she has assembled a studio team with more than 1,200 employees, established shared best practices across studio cultures and created an operational and creative framework.
“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.”
As Chief Studios Officer, Knight will establish clear priorities for studio teams, drive innovation in game mechanics and mathematical modeling, and create an environment where creative talent can do exceptional work. Her vision centers on delivering the most dynamic and engaging content that meets the evolving demands of players and operators globally.
“I’m energized to lead our studio teams and build on the strong foundation in place,” said Knight. “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.”
“Returning to this organization and helping strengthen our global studio organization has been a meaningful way to close my career,” said Venneman. “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.”
