The Tribe Campus Leaders Power-Up series is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated events on the Carry1st calendar. These monthly 45-minute sessions give campus leaders the chance to learn directly from industry professionals across different departments at the company.
 

Since March 2025, members of the Tribe Campus Leaders team have gained insights from community management to networking and project execution. As we prepare for the next session on June 27th, let’s take a closer look at what’s been covered so far and why these sessions are making such an impact.
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March 2025: Mastering Community Management with Saanufunmi 'Shanz' Ajayi
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The first session kicked off with Saanufunmi 'Shanz' Ajayi, an expert in community management and community manager at Carry1st. Shanz shared his experience on what it really takes to build and manage thriving, engaged communities vibrant, engaged communities in the gaming space. For Shanz, community management is much more than just overseeing a group of people; the whole nine yards are about creating a space where individuals feel valued, heard, and genuinely connected to each other.

Shanz pointed out the importance of empathy and understanding your community's needs. "You need to understand your community and the ‘language’ [not just in the literal sense here] they speak," he said, offering the example of how ignoring cultural nuances can leave a community feeling isolated. He also pointed out that a successful community manager has to be both creative and patient, along with the qualities of empathy and a constant willingness to listen especially when handling conflicts or maintaining engagement.

In one standout moment, Shanz explained that community management is about impact, not numbers. “Focus on the impact of your community. It’s not about how many people you have; it’s about what those people are contributing to the company and the broader community.”

The key takeaway from Shanz’s session? A great community manager builds connections that go beyond gaming: they create lasting relationships that benefit everyone involved.

April 2025: Networking Your Way to Success with Jono Hart
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April followed up with a session from Jono Hart, a Senior Business Development Manager at Carry1st, who shed light on the power of networking for professional and career growth. Jono, with his experience working alongside top gaming publishers like Activision and NetEase, outlined how cultivating a strong professional network can unlock opportunities you never thought possible.

"Your network is your net worth," reminding us that knowing the right people can often be just as important as what you know. He shared his own experiences of how networking has played a role in his career, including how a simple LinkedIn post led to a major partnership with Tinder.

“The more people you meet, the higher the chances that the next person you meet will know someone who can help,” Jono explained. He likened networking to rolling dice: the more you roll, the more likely you are to land a winning opportunity. It’s not just about knowing the right people but also about being active, maintaining a solid online presence, and keeping your network engaged.

Jono also spoke about the importance of communication and thinking strategically in your outreaches. Whether you’re reaching out to someone for the first time or keeping in touch with a long-time contact, the key is to be personable and consistent. His personal success story about cold outreach to Lucy, Carry1st’s co-founder, showed how persistence pays off. Through thoughtful follow-ups, Jono eventually landed his position at Carry1st.

To see off April, here’s one valuable nugget from Jono’s session: Networking isn’t a one-time event; it’s a continual process of building and nurturing relationships.
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May 2025: Organizing Projects with Sheyi Owolabi
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By May, Sheyi Owolabi, Lead Creative Manager at CarryFirst, took the spotlight to share his approach to organizing and executing successful projects. Sheyi broke down the essential steps for any project; starting with planning and ending with post-project reviews. One of the most crucial points he made was to start with the “why.” 

“It helps you clarify the objective of the project, determine the KPIs, and define the major success metrics”. Without that clarity, it’s easy for a project to lose focus.

Sheyi introduced the RACI matrix, a tool that helps define who’s responsible for what in a project. It was a helpful tip for ensuring that every member knows their position, role and how they contribute to the project's success. His insight on risk management also stood out; by identifying potential risks early, teams can pivot and adapt without derailing the entire project.

And when it came to execution, he advised the leaders to stick to the plan but also leave room for adaptability when needed. "Adaptations should be targeted and based on the original objectives." He also stressed the importance of post-project reviews, encouraging teams to reflect on what worked and what didn’t so they can apply those lessons to future projects.

And, perhaps most importantly, he encouraged celebrating small wins along the way to keep morale high.

The consensus: successful projects are driven by clear planning, flexibility, and consistent communication.
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What’s Next?

The Tribe Campus Leaders Power-Up series continues to provide valuable insights that are shaping the future of gaming and the professionals within it. The upcoming session on June 27th promises even more actionable tips and inspiring stories to help campus leaders grow and thrive.

The beauty of these sessions lies in their practical takeaways; whether it's building an engaged community, leveraging a network for career advancement, or ensuring your projects succeed. These monthly meetups go beyond a knowledge transfer and touch more on creating a new generation of leaders in the gaming industry.

As the Power-Up series continues, there’s no doubt that the campus leaders are gaining tools that will help them not only succeed within CarryFirst but also leave their mark on the broader gaming community. The only question left is: What will they learn next?

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