Women in Toys launches revamped scholarship to drive next generation of industry leaders

Long-running advocacy and networking non-profit Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment has launched a new scholarship to forge the next generation of women looking to work in the industry.

The revamped 2024 WiT Foundation Scholarship includes a $5,000 financial award, a one-year WiT membership, career-focused programming, enrolment in WiT’s Ruth Handler Mentorship Program and access to internship and job postings.

WiT was created more than 30 years ago to advocate for the advancement of women in the toy industry through leadership, networking and educational opportunities.

Its board members include Asmodee Group US general manager Julien Sharp and Hasbro president for US & Canada commercial Lisa Gilbert.

Eligible candidates for the scholarship must identify as women, live in the US or Canada and be full-time undergraduate students at an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

They must also have interest in a career in the consumer products, toys, licensing and entertainment industries, and be pursuing a degree in fields including business management, design, engineering, computer science, e-commerce, marketing, entrepreneurship, law and creative arts.

Anyone interested in applying for the scholarship by the June 17 deadline can visit the Women in Toys Foundation website for more information, or email WiT executive director Mary Kay Russell at marykay@womenintoys.com.

A statement from WiT scholarship co-chairs Angelina Castro and Kristin Lecour said, “This program advances WiT’s commitment to foster an industry culture where every woman can thrive.

“Our goal is to develop female leaders and build a more robust pipeline of professionals in consumer products.

“By providing financial support, career development, industry education and professional mentorship to these students, we will inspire a more inclusive and equitable community.”

Earlier this year a group of board game industry veterans from within WiT launched a support initiative aimed at helping women who work in, or want to work in, tabletop gaming learn from and champion each other.

TLC has been launched by industry professionals including Jennifer Graham-Macht, project manager at Keymaster Games, Rose Gauntlet co-founder Lindsey Rode and Danni Loe, the marketing manager at Flat River Group.