Lydia Winters is an accomplished brand strategist, storyteller, and creative leader with over a decade shaping one of the most influential entertainment brands of all time—Minecraft. As the first woman and seventh hire at Mojang Studios, she helped transform the game’s grassroots community into a global cultural phenomenon, building a brand rooted in inclusivity, creativity, and authenticity.

During her 13 year tenure as Chief Storyteller, Chief Brand Officer, Brand Director, and Director of Fun at Mojang (Microsoft), Lydia became the public face of Minecraft, hosting global events such as MINECON and Minecraft Live, and presenting groundbreaking innovations like the E3 HoloLens demo, seen by millions worldwide. She directed global brand strategy, licensing, and merchandising while serving as a co-founder and trusted advisor for initiatives like Block by Block, a UN-Habitat partnership using Minecraft to reimagine public spaces.

Minecraft would not be what it is today without Lydia’s contributions to building the brand using an authentic and community-first approach.

Before joining Mojang, Lydia began her career as a teacher in Florida before pivoting into gaming through her pioneering YouTube channel, MinecraftChick, blending creativity, community, and philanthropy. This spirit of storytelling and connection has remained central throughout her career.

She was named in Forbes 30 under 30 and her work has been profiled in The New York Times, CBS Sunday Morning, Refinery29, The Guardian, and more highlighting her impact not only as a creative leader in gaming, but also as a photographer and advocate for diverse voices in creative industries. Today, as a Brand Consultant, she partners with organizations to craft authentic narratives, foster community engagement, and shape brands that resonate globally.