Join us October 10, 2024

Connecting creators. Inspiring innovation. Elevating inclusivity. Advancing women.

2nd Annual Virtual Event & Challenge

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We are on a mission to attract more women and girls to the toy and game industry.

Kim Boyd, President, Global Brands & Franchise Management, Hasbro

2024 Program

Hasbro Women Innovators of Play

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2nd Annual Virtual Event

October 10, 2024

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2nd Annual Challenge

Starting October 10, 2024

Hasbro Girl Innovators of Play (with Girl Up)

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Girl Up Project Awards Collaboration

Starting September 2024

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Girl Up x Hasbro Project Awards Innovation Lab

December 2024

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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. You’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.

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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.

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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

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

Emily Teng

Senior Worldbuilder, MAGIC: THE GATHERING @ Wizards of the Coast

Amanda DiSanto

Amanda DiSanto

Sr. Manager, Narrative Design, Strategy Board Games @ Hasbro

Andreana Lozano

Andreana Lozano

Narrative Lead @ Archetype Studios (EXODUS)

Jane Douglas

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

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

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

Juli Lennett

VP, Toys Industry Advisor @ Circana

Christine O’Connor

Christine O’Connor

VP, Consumer Insights @ Hasbro

Ali Mierzejewski

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

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

Gina Goetter

EVP & CFO @ Hasbro, Inc.

Roberta Thomson

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

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

Dr. Becky Kennedy

Founder @ Good Inside

12:15pm

2 Mins

Hasbro: the destination for women play makers

Chris Cocks

Chris Cocks

CEO @ Hasbro, Inc

12:20pm

5 Mins

Announcing our 2024 Challenge and Closing

Ellie Dix

Ellie Dix

Winner, 2023 Women Innovators of Play Challenge

Tanya Thompson

Tanya Thompson

Senior Director, Inventor Relations @ Hasbro

Kim Boyd

Kim Boyd

President, Global Brands & Franchise Management @ Hasbro, Inc

Register for the event

The second annual Women Innovators of Play event will be held on October 10th at 10 AM EST

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:

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$10,000 USD
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A trip to Hasbro's World Headquarters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island for “A Day at Hasbro”
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A mentorship session with one of Hasbro's top women leaders

See CHALLENGE Rules for more details!