Project Manager of the Quarter — August 2020
Our featured Project Manager has been in the moderation business for most of her adult life. Back in the day, you might find her volunteering as a community moderator, where she’d apply protective measures and work to reduce tensions in competitive gaming environments. She joined ModSquad as a Mod in 2013, delighted to work on projects for brands that she was a fan of. Since then, she’s been a Mod of the Month and later applied for and became a Project Manager. She now manages a large project with resounding success. We’re pleased to present Geneva Hopwood as our Project Manager of the Quarter.
Gen joined ModSquad after seeing the fulfillment that her husband experienced as a Mod. She’s always been interested in gaming, and was excited by the opportunity at ModSquad to represent a very popular gaming company that she was already a passionate community member of. Later on, she applied to come back onto the same engagement as a Project Manager. “The hiring manager, along with the previous Project Manager, said that I was the first person they thought of,” recalls Gen. “That was a really great feeling.” Needless to say, she got the gig.
In her role today, Gen’s project involves providing customer service and community moderation for the members of that same online game. Says Gen, “This is a fun project! It’s a rare opportunity for the people working on it, because they’re all fans and players of the game themselves. I want to make sure they enjoy what they’re doing and are happy and fulfilled. I want to keep morale high and make sure they feel supported.”
With that goal in mind, Gen works to keep her team and the client up to date on customer feedback and community activity. She places a high value on maintaining a strong relationship with the client. With new games and updates released on a regular basis, Gen finds it helpful to keep herself informed of the game company’s project-release roadmap. This helps her anticipate needs before they arise.
Now that she’s settled into her Project Manager role, she’s more than willing to offer advice to up-and-coming PMs. “When you’re first starting out, it’s easy to focus on administrative tasks. While good administration is the foundation of a well-run project, you have to engage with the group and make sure the Mods are in the know and feel connected.”
At home, Gen enjoys crocheting, a relatively new hobby that she learned from her grandmother-in-law. She started a year ago and has already progressed from blankets to plushes. She enjoys the craft because it allows her to keep her hands busy while spending time with her family or simply watching TV. It also keeps her off of her phone, she jokes!
Gen’s effective and impressive style has earned her the respect of the client and of her peers at ModSquad. Check out some of the things people are saying about Gen:
“I’ve been working with Gen for years. She is the prime example of growth and excellence. I’ve seen her excel in a variety of roles here at ModSquad, and now as one thorough and thoughtful Project Manager. She handles some of the more complex projects here and does so with grace and diligence. Gen is a true professional, and a fantastic representation of ModSquad.”
— Izzy Neis, Head of Digital
“Gen is an all-encompassing Project Manager. She communicates clearly and effectively with both workers and clients. She sets high expectations to ensure that our clients receive nothing less than excellent work. Through her dedication and direction, she can make wonders happen.”
— Monica A., Account Manager
“Gen is a very knowledgeable Project Manager. She’s always ready to assist someone when they need help.”
— Jessica S., Assistant Project Manager
“Gen has really grown in her time at ModSquad. She works hard, and we’re super proud to have her as a Project Manager. By the way, she lived in Sacramento (and all great people have lived in Sacramento).”
— Jason F., Sr. Director, Client Services
As we wrapped up our conversation, we asked Gen to play a little game of Only One Thing. Here are her answers:
Q: If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Pad thai.
Q: If you could only listen to one kind of music, what would it be?
A: Indie.
Q: If you only did one household chore for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Dishes.
Q: If you could only have one app on your phone, what would it be?
A: Instagram.
Q: If you could only wear one outfit for a month, what would it be?
A: Leggings and sweatshirt; that’s my uniform!
Q: If you could interview one person (past or present), who would it be?
A: David Bowie.
Q: If you could only celebrate one holiday every year, what would it be?
A: Thanksgiving.