Connecting creators. Inspiring innovation. Elevating inclusivity. Advancing women.
2nd Annual Virtual Event & Challenge
We are on a mission to attract more women and girls to the toy and game industry.
Kim Boyd, President, Global Brands & Franchise Management, Hasbro2024 Program
Hasbro Women Innovators of Play
2nd Annual Virtual Event
October 10, 2024
2nd Annual Challenge
Starting October 10, 2024
Hasbro Girl Innovators of Play (with Girl Up)
Girl Up Project Awards Collaboration
Starting September 2024
Girl Up x Hasbro Project Awards Innovation Lab
December 2024
Why attend the virtual event?
Join a network of like-minded women and allies from the toy, game and entertainment communities to hear the latest insights from thought leaders and on-the-ground experts. Youl'll come away energized, educated and inspired, and take away key skills and techniques to advance and compete in the field of toy and game design.
Who attends the virtual event?
Our virtual event is designed with women toy and game inventors top of mind, and especially new and emerging-level career inventors. We also welcome anyone who is passionate about toys, games, entertainment or design and innovation more generally. Through our easily accessible virtual format, we welcome you to join the conversation at your convenience.
Why attend the virtual event?
Join a network of like-minded women and allies from the toy, game and entertainment communities to hear the latest insights from thought leaders and on-the-ground experts. Youl'll come away energized, educated and inspired, and take away key skills and techniques to advance and compete in the field of toy and game design.
Our Speakers
Dr. Becky Kennedy
Founder, Good Inside
Kim Boyd
President, Global Brands & Franchise Management, Hasbro, Inc.
Chris Cocks
Chief Executive Officer and Director, Hasbro, Inc.
Amanda DiSanto
Senior Narrative Design Manager, Hasbro Board Games
Ellie Dix
Winner, 2023 Women Innovators of Play Challenge
Jane Douglas
Games Journalist and Presenter
Gina Goetter
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hasbro, Inc.
Juli Lennett
Vice President, Industry Advisor, Toys, Circana
Andreana Lozano
Narrative Lead, Exodus, Archetype Studios
Ali Mierzejewski
Editor-in-Chief, The Toy Insider & The Pop Insider
Christine O'Connor
Vice President, Consumer Insights, Hasbro, Inc.
Emily Teng
Senior Worldbuilder, Magic: The Gathering, Wizards of the Coast
Dr. Michelle Thaller
Astronomer and Science Communicator, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Tanya Thompson
Senior Director, Inventor Relations, Hasbro Games, Hasbro, Inc.
Roberta Thomson
Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Hasbro, Inc.
Jeffrey Wisenbaugh
Director, Social & Content, Meta
Emma Worrollo
Play-Doh Imagination Coach, Content Creator and Gen Alpha brand builder
Our schedule
10:00am
5 Mins
Welcome to Women Innovators of Play
Kim Boyd
President, Global Brands & Franchise Management @ Hasbro, Inc
10:05am
20 Mins
Crafting a great story, from tabletop to console
Join a moderated panel discussion between three narrative designers about their career paths, what it takes to succeed as a narrative designer in the gaming industry, and how to balance the competing demands of creativity and artistry with writing games that will sell.
Emily Teng
Senior Worldbuilder, MAGIC: THE GATHERING @ Wizards of the Coast
Amanda DiSanto
Sr. Manager, Narrative Design, Strategy Board Games @ Hasbro
Andreana Lozano
Narrative Lead @ Archetype Studios (EXODUS)
Jane Douglas
Host and gaming influencer (Moderator)
10:25am
12 Mins
Creative Workshop: Imagination is a superpower
Learn about the connection between imagination, creativity, and play – and flex your own imagination skills with this fun and interactive workshop.
Emma Worrollo
Play-Doh Imagination Coach, Content Creator and Gen Alpha brand builder
10:40am
5 Mins
Spark moment: Overcoming self-doubt
A refreshing spark of inspiration from a leading astrophysicist on the self-doubt that so many of us encounter in the workplace, and in life.
Dr. Michelle Thaller
Astronomer and Science Communicator @ NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
10:45am
20 Mins
State of play: market shifts and buyer behavior driving today’s toy and game industry
Who’s buying toys and games? Who's playing with toys and games, and why? What kinds of products are most popular today, and what does the future of play look like? Join two market research experts, Juli Lennett (VP, Toys Industry Advisor, Circana) and Christine O’Connor (VP, Consumer Insights, Hasbro) for a moderated discussion about today’s toy industry landscape.
Juli Lennett
VP, Toys Industry Advisor @ Circana
Christine O’Connor
VP, Consumer Insights @ Hasbro
Ali Mierzejewski
Editor-in-Chief @ The Toy Insider & The Pop Insider (Moderator)
11:05am
15 Mins
How to sell your idea on social
Top tips to bring your brands and products to life across social media.
Jeffrey Wisenbaugh
Director, Social & Content @ Meta
11:20am
20 Mins
In Conversation: Gina Goetter & Roberta Thomson
Join two of Hasbro’s most senior executive leaders, Gina Goetter (Chief Financial Officer) and Roberta Thomson (Chief Communications Officer) for a refreshingly candid discussion about leadership, self-advocacy, and finding your voice even when you feel like “the only…” in the room.
Gina Goetter
EVP & CFO @ Hasbro, Inc.
Roberta Thomson
EVP & CCO @ Hasbro, Inc.
11:40am
5 Mins
Spark moment: Cultivating a sense of awe
A refreshing spark of inspiration from a leading astrophysicist on the connection between awe and creativity.
Dr. Michelle Thaller
Astronomer and Science Communicator @ NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
11:45am
30 Mins
Keynote: The power of play
Have you ever considered that play is a child’s form of work? Dr. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist, mother of three, and founder of the breakthrough global parenting community, Good Inside, discusses how play can impact children’s social and cognitive development – and how toy and game inventors can thoughtfully design for play in their work.
Dr. Becky Kennedy
Founder @ Good Inside
12:15pm
2 Mins
Hasbro: the destination for women play makers
Chris Cocks
CEO @ Hasbro, Inc
12:20pm
5 Mins
Announcing our 2024 Challenge and Closing
Ellie Dix
Winner, 2023 Women Innovators of Play Challenge
Tanya Thompson
Senior Director, Inventor Relations @ Hasbro
Kim Boyd
President, Global Brands & Franchise Management @ Hasbro, Inc
Women Innovators of Play Challenge
We will accept submissions from October 10, 2024 to November 12, 2024.
What are we looking for?
We are searching for the next great woman-led mass market toy or game! For this CHALLENGE, ideas will be judged on innovation, mass marketability, fun factor and playability, design and aesthetics and manufacturability.
Who can submit?
Eligibility includes:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must be a resident of one of the following 11 countries: Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.
- People who submit must either.
- - Identify as a woman.
- - Lead a team (maximum of five people) and identify as a woman.
- Limit of two submissions per person whether as an individual, team lead, or member of a team. Submissions must be written in English.
What are the prizes?
The top 3 innovators will be announced in December 2024, and they will receive:
