Though Laura Miele pioneered powerful forecasting, analytics and consumer feedback systems and processes at EA Games, she's also a believer in the power of creativity. Her own "focus group" at home -- 8-year-old-twin son and daughter -- are constant reminders that games are about fun and entertainment. Not that they play M-rated EA games like "Dead Space," which got more creative thanks to analytics that revealed that it was too scary for single play, and co-op mode was added.

It's the combination of art and science that's kept Ms. Miele at EA in a variety of jobs for 17 years. Now as the head of its games division, she's looking forward to working for a new CEO -- John Riccitello stepped down in March -- and the challenges of a changing industry.

"The good news is more people are playing games today than ever before. The challenge is the business model is going in so many different directions," she said.

She's also busy learning Italian to keep up with her kids, both fluent speakers along with her Italian-born husband, and catching up on entire seasons of TV shows, currently "Game of Thrones" and "Dr. Who," in a single block of time.

"Now where is that Rosetta Stone I bought three years ago?" she said.

Twitter:
@laurakmiele

Home:
San Francisco metro area

Kids:
Twins, a boy and a girl (8 years old)

Jeans in the office?
When they fit, yes, I wear them at least once a week.