Laybourne's Oxygen network launched in 2000 and targets young women. She was chairman and chief exec until 2007.
She also has experience with even younger audiences, helping manage ABC's Saturday morning children's programming and prior to that, serving 16 years at Nickelodeon.
She officially joined EA's board on November 5.
"Gerry has an impressive background leading teams to conceptualize and launch revolutionary new entertainment properties," EA CEO John Riccitiello said in a statement. "Her experience with successful global media properties will be invaluable to EA's board as our company continues to create products for new audiences."
Today, EA confirmed that it would be merging its two most mainstream labels, EA Casual and The Sims.