Interview with EGG Everyday Wonder Woman: Haley Pillion

Today, I’m interviewing Haley Pillion, who is the connective tissue that holds Evil Genius Games together. Haley is sort of a cross between administrative assistant, team manager, chief communications officer, customer service provider, convention scheduler and organizer, EGG roadie, logistics and shipping manager, cheerleader and den mother. In fact, there isn’t anyone—staff, customer, convention GM, fan, retailer, or customer—who hasn’t received support from our own Everyday Wonder Woman, Haley Pillion. 

I might also add that Haley, like many superheroes, has her own personal support staff: namely, her intrepid husband, Nathan, who has been incredibly generous and helpful, both to her and to Evil Genius Games in so many ways that it would take its own separate interview to detail.

To say that Haley and Nathan are avid game enthusiasts would be an understatement. In fact, on their first date, they went to their local FLGS, purchased Mice and Mystics, and spent the day playing it in the park. It seems like it was love at first roll. Since then, they have been attending conventions and spending time together playing through their collection of over 500 games, which impressively fills the room behind Haley when we are in Zoom meetings. 

Haley’s passion for games and RPGs led her to seek out employment in the gaming industry. And she reached out to many companies about both volunteer and paid positions. Fortunately for all of us, she applied for an open position at Evil Genius Games and came aboard. Let’s hear what she has to say…

Welcome to the interview!

Thanks! I’m happy to be here. 

So, what is your official role? 

At Evil Genius Games, my official role title is “Administrative Coordinator.” 

But what does that mean in practice? 

Well, I am a little all over the place! I help manage schedules, organize meetings, and take notes for the team. I also do our event and convention planning, recruit GMs, and arrange for staff travel and GM support. Whenever you see Evil Genius at a convention, I did the planning to get us there. 

And you tend to be at the conventions as well.

Yeah, Nathan and I live in the midwest, so we are very close to most of the conventions that Evil Genius has a presence at. So, Nathan regularly volunteers to hit the road with me and help set up, manage, and tear down our booth. 

Yes, I hear that you two have become ruthlessly efficient at setting up the booth. 

Yeah, just stand back and get out of our way. <laughs>

That is a truly impressive list.

I’m not done.

Oh! Go on…

I also create and send marketing emails and newsletters, and do some of the graphic design for them. On the other side, I’m also the customer support friend who manages community engagement and deals with customer service requests. So, if you have ever emailed [email protected] or [email protected] , I’m the person who received and answered your email.

And I know that there is more, because you often help me out with products and services for our GMs and stores. 

That’s right. I have my hand in the logistical side of things, from order creation and fulfillment to inventory management. For example, I make sure that our convention GMs get their swag and shirts, and that libraries and other venues get donated books and adventures, and…something else I am forgetting at the moment. Oh, I do some website management as well.

Okay. That. Is. A. Lot. And, if I’m not mistaken, almost all of these tasks are things that you have had to learn on the job? 

Yes. It is a lot and I’m often learning as I go. But it’s getting easier. I often joke that I do all the “office stuff,” so that the rest of the team can make the amazing products that we have for people. 

That makes you all the more amazing for taking on this impressive—daunting, in fact—range of responsibilities. And you provide such a range of support for so many people! I know that everyone here appreciates the incredible number of things that you do to make the company run, so that the rest of us can concentrate on what we do best. And I’m sure our GMs, players, and fans appreciate it, too. 

Aw, thank you. 

Thank you! I’m happy that I’ve had a chance to interview you and to let everyone know about the incredible range of work that you do for us and for them. 

Don’t leave it up to Haley! You can become a real life Everyday Hero and help support the work of Evil Genius Games by joining our Patreon and E.G.O. program. Because the world needs more Everyday Heroes, and we need you!