Who’s Who Geek Edition: Trina Finton

I decided to do a set of mini interviews with people I’ve interacted with and have extraordinary backgrounds. Many I’ve met via Facebook and many I’ll meet when I attend SDCC for the first time this July. Next up is gamer and blogger, Trina Finton!

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Name: Trina Finton
Online handle: GamingAngel
Site: Gaming Angels and Gaming Angels on FB
“Age”: feels like 25
Fave cartoon/book/movie/whatever: Wonder Woman

L: One of the first things I noticed about you is that you work for Disney. Talk about a dream job! Did you grow up on Disney fairy tales like most of us?

TF: I have always loved Disney. I think I applied every year since graduating college to work at Disney. Belle is my favorite princess, but really I love Tinkerbell. I have to say that I love the latest group of Disney Princesses because they are strong, positive role models for young girls. I love being able to give my team tools that will help them create magic online. I have to admit that I still LOVE going to the Parks too! I’m there all the time!

L: You also maintain your own blog, The Gaming Angel. What would you currently list as your favorite game of all time?

TF: TheGamingAngel is a place where I can talk about my life and what I may be going through at that time (like trying to have a baby). Most of the reviews and news about games go on GamingAngels.com. My favorite game of all time has to be the original Zelda. I just remember being floored by it as a kid. I still love to play it again and again. It’s funny, as someone that runs sites about gaming, I don’t get to play games that often. But I am looking forward to Diablo III. I’ll disappear when that comes out. ^_^

L: Since you seem constantly doing something amazingly cool, what kind of projects do you have in the works?

TF: Aww thanks! I think it’s the Gemini in me that needs to constantly be creating. I’m launching a network for geeky sites created by females, She’s Geeky Inc. I’m also launching a video series called Geek Girls TV. I’m trying to redesign GamingAngels and launch Pulp Angels which will focus on books and comics. I’m working on my first app which is geared toward women trying to get pregnant and I’ll be speaking at five conventions this year!

L: Everyone has a science fiction property that means the world to them, be it Star Wars, Back to the Future, or even E.T. What’s yours?

TF: I have to say it’s Star Wars. I have always been in love with the story. I think I’ve gone on the new Star Wars ride at Disneyland 15 times (there are 54 different combinations). I have to say… I was late to Battlestar Galactica but it’s right below Star Wars for me.

L: I read that you’ve also organized a bit of a charity and gave away a scholarship this past year. What inspired you to give back?

TF: Being the only female in many of the tech departments early in my career made me aware that I had to give back and encourage more women to go into tech careers. I feel like I was always encouraged by my father, but not every family offers that kind of encouragement. I remember wanting to go to Space Camp as a kid, but I don’t think we could afford it. I want to help girls that want to go to computer camp go. We our hosting the scholarship yearly on GamingAngels.com (taking entries until mid-May) for a young girl to attend National Computer camp where she’ll learn to program and create a game of her own. I also love volunteering with DigiGirlz which is a Microsoft event where young girls go to different classes and learn various tech skills throughout the day. I hope to one day be able to provide a college scholarship through GamingAngels. I also hope to create a mentorship program for women in tech.

L: I ask this question of everyone, so be honest: If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what position would you want? I know I’d crap my pants.

TF: Haha awesome random question. I think I would want to be part of their tech team. I’m hoping that they would have amazing new technology to play with, but also one of my strengths is learning technology and teaching it to people. I have a skill for breaking down difficult technology in a way that people understand and I think with learning the aliens new technology that will help any fears about the alien race and hopefully create peace between the races.

About the Author

Leia Calderon

With an emphasis on POC & women creators, Leia loves to regularly tackle the comic book industry. Unfiltered and bold, she works in comics, co-writes Sub Cultured's Game of Theories YouTube series, and co-starred in Sub Cultured's web show, Strong Female Characters.

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