Xsolla announces leadership changes for the next stage of gaming growth

Xsolla, the video game commerce company, announced a series of leadership changes for its next chapter of strategic growth and innovation.

The changes, which were known for a time in some cases, include the appointment of David Stelzer, a former Epic Games executive, as president of Xsolla. Chris Hewish, interim CEO, is moving to a role as chief strategy officer. Shurick Agapitov, Xsolla’s founder, remains CEO.

This transformation, building on the successful foundations laid over the past year, is tailored to leveraging the strengths of Xsolla’s founder and an expanded roster of industry professionals, guiding it through an increased global presence and product development era, the company said.

Having spent the last two years working on new ventures and innovative growth opportunities, Agapitov, continues shaping the vision for the fintech and gaming industries.

Founded on a vision for growth, Xsolla is continuously innovating to stay ahead of the curve in the global gaming and financial space, the company said. Agapitov has as vision for international growth which is founded on creating equal economic growth opportunities for everyone in and connected to the gaming industry around the world. He recently published his book, Once Upon Tomorrow, providing his visionary view of the metaverse and content creation.

The company said Hewish played vital role in shaping Xsolla’s trajectory and his duties will now include new responsibilities that focus on global initiatives, strategic partnerships, and collaborations with publishers. Leveraging his decades of experience in publishing, he will continue to provide guidance and leadership for the Xsolla businesses through strategic partnerships and opportunities with publishers.

Meanwhile, Stelzer joined as president to continue enhancing Xsolla’s Web Shop, Cloud, and Foundational offerings, aiming for greater accessibility and benefit to the global gaming community. His industry experience and leadership reflect the company’s commitment to innovation and accessibility worldwide.

The company has had challenges before with handling taxes and with criticism from Ukraine, but the company officers expressed confidence in the future direction.

The leadership team and strategic vision

Hewish said in a statement, “In my expanded role, I look forward to leveraging my experience and passion for bringing great games to market to further our strategic objectives and continuing to help Xsolla as it enters this next phase of growth.”

Stelzer said in a statement, “My goal is to enhance our direct-to-consumer offerings, building upon the strong foundation laid before, and to expand their accessibility and value to the gaming community worldwide.”

Berkley Egenes, chief marketing & growth officer, said in a statement, “We’re shaping marketing strategies that transcend boundaries, ensuring our brand resonates with and inclusively represents the diverse tapestry of the global gaming community for developers and players alike.”

Moin Moinuddin, CTO, said in a statement, “Leading the technology frontier, we’re innovating accessible solutions that drive the future of gaming, making advanced technologies a reality for everyone.”

Sophia Lisaius, VP of people & culture, said in a statement, “Our mission is to cultivate a nurturing workplace that champions growth, diversity, and innovation, where every team member contributes to the transformative journey of the gaming community.”

Carla Bedrosian, global general counsel, said in a statement, “As Global General Counsel, my mission is to fortify Xsolla’s growth with robust legal strategies, ensuring our global expansion and innovation continue on the solid foundation of integrity and compliance. It’s an exciting time to navigate the evolving landscape of gaming commerce.”

Mike Dershewitz, COO of Xsolla Holding Company, said in a statement, “We’re building operational excellence that supports global outreach and anchors our commitment to a seamless and expansive gaming experience.”

Ketei Marakool, CFO of Xsolla Holding Company, said in a statement, “It’s exciting to be part of a leadership team where we build the foundation for efficiency and scalability by implementing best practices to cater for the future growth and expansion in the gaming industry.”

Charles Lee, chief tax officer of Xsolla Holding Company, said ina statement, “As Chief Tax Officer, I’m committed to optimizing Xsolla’s financial efficiency and compliance. Through strategic tax planning and a proactive approach to regulatory changes, I aim to ensure our continued growth and success in a dynamic business landscape.”