From preserving a family legacy to making an iconic game relevant for new generations, Maya Rogers has taken Tetris to the next level.
As CEO of The Tetris Company, she has transformed the brand into a cultural powerhouse spanning gaming, fashion, entertainment, and even film—most recently with the Apple TV+ Tetris movie inspired by her father Henk Rogers’s remarkable journey, which brought Tetris to a global audience after he courageously traveled to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
In this Q&A, Maya Rogers reflects on honoring heritage while driving innovation, how she knew she was “ready” to become CEO of Tetris, and her advice for women leading in male-dominated industries.
Maya Roger’s Journey
Q&A with Maya Rogers
1. What made you feel ready to take on the CEO role at Tetris?
Tetris has been part of my life since grade school. I had a front-row seat to its rise through NES and Game Boy, and I’ve always understood the magic behind it. When the opportunity came to lead, I felt ready because I knew I could carry its legacy forward while finding fresh ways to connect with new generations. My background gave me the skills, but my personal connection to the brand gave me the confidence. Running Tetris isn’t just about preserving a global legacy; it’s also about honoring my family’s legacy.
It was less a single moment of “readiness” and more the conviction that I could honor what people love about Tetris while still surprising them.
2. What’s the boldest decision you’ve made as CEO of The Tetris Company, and what did it teach you?
The first version of Tetris (by Unnerving duck / CC BY-SA 4.0)
Expanding Tetris beyond gaming into a true lifestyle brand was a big leap. Today, we work with over 90 global partners in fashion, toys, and entertainment, helping people see Tetris not just as a game but as a symbol of creativity and connection. It taught me that the best way to keep a brand alive is to keep evolving it. The upcoming Red Bull Tetris tournament is a perfect example; it honors our roots but reimagines them, with global qualifiers and the first playable Tetris game in the sky over Dubai.
3. What is a non-negotiable in your routine that keeps you focused?
With young children, “non-negotiable” takes on a different meaning. Family time always comes first, whether it’s school drop-off or attending a performance.
For myself, I do Functional Patterns training twice a week to keep my body aligned and strong. Recently, I started journaling, which has become a must; it gives me space for reflection, creativity, and clarity. And whenever I can, I take a moment to pause and breathe back into myself.
4. Of all your milestones—whether at Tetris or through Blue Startups—what has been your greatest accomplishment?
Photo of Maya Rogers by Fuzheado, CC0 (Public Domain)
At Tetris, my most fulfilling accomplishment has been keeping the brand as strong and relevant today as it was decades ago, both in gaming and in pop culture, and expanding it beyond what we thought was possible.
The Tetris movie on Apple TV+, starring Taron Egerton and telling my father’s journey into the Soviet Union to secure the rights, was a highlight of that journey. It honored our legacy while introducing it to a new audience.
This year, Tetris was named Best Digital Brand of 2024 at Licensing Expo, and I’ll be receiving the Vanguard Award from Women in Toys, both affirmations of the brand’s continued cultural impact.
With Blue Startups, now in its 12th year, we’ve invested in over 100 companies and helped transform Hawaii from an overlooked market into a thriving tech ecosystem connected to global markets. Today, entrepreneurs in Hawaii have access to resources, mentors, and capital that simply didn’t exist before, and that momentum will continue to fuel innovation and opportunity in the islands for years to come. Seeing that transformation is deeply rewarding.
5. If you could give just one piece of advice to a woman entering a male-dominated industry, what would it be?
Trust your voice and know that you belong in every room you walk into. Lead with empathy, listen deeply, and stand for what matters even when it’s uncomfortable.
Find mentors and allies who will advocate for you and be that advocate for others. The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are, and when you show up authentically, you open the door for the next generation to do the same. Together, we build the world.
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