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, HasbroHasbro 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
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.
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.
Founder, Good Inside
President, Global Brands & Franchise Management, Hasbro, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer and Director, Hasbro, Inc.
Senior Narrative Design Manager, Hasbro Board Games
Winner, 2023 Women Innovators of Play Challenge
Games Journalist and Presenter
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hasbro, Inc.
Vice President, Industry Advisor, Toys, Circana
Narrative Lead, Exodus, Archetype Studios
Editor-in-Chief, The Toy Insider & The Pop Insider
Vice President, Consumer Insights, Hasbro, Inc.
Senior Worldbuilder, Magic: The Gathering, Wizards of the Coast
Astronomer and Science Communicator, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Senior Director, Inventor Relations, Hasbro Games, Hasbro, Inc.
Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Hasbro, Inc.
Director, Social & Content, Meta
Play-Doh Imagination Coach, Content Creator and Gen Alpha brand builder
10:00am
5 Mins
Kim Boyd
President, Global Brands & Franchise Management @ Hasbro, Inc
10:05am
20 Mins
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
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
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
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
Top tips to bring your brands and products to life across social media.
Jeffrey Wisenbaugh
Director, Social & Content @ Meta
11:20am
20 Mins
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
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
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
Chris Cocks
CEO @ Hasbro, Inc
12:20pm
5 Mins
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
The second annual Women Innovators of Play event will be held on October 10th at 10 AM EST
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.
Eligibility includes:
The top 3 innovators will be announced in December 2024, and they will receive: