Women Innovators of Play 2024

Hasbro’s Women Innovators of Play launched in Fall 2023 to promote a more inclusive and equitable toys and games community, encourage more women’s participation in the space, inspire the next generation of young women and girls to unleash their creativity, and increase awareness and exposure to creative career paths.

2024 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

2024 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.