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 the inaugural Women Innovators of Play Event
We are honored to have Chris Cocks, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Hasbro, Inc, to give the opening remarks to welcome everyone to the Women Innovators of Play Event!
Chris Cocks
Chief Executive Officer & Director @ Hasbro, Inc.
10:05am
20 Mins
My Wingspan Journey
Elizabeth Hargrave, the designer of the hit board game Wingspan, will share the journey of how Wingspan came to be, as well as advice she’s learned along the way.
Elizabeth Hargrave
Game Designer @ Elizabeth Hargrave
10:25am
15 Mins
The Perfect Pitch
What makes a perfect pitch? Tanya has lost count of the thousands of pitches she’s been a part of in her career and she’s excited to share her best tips on what makes the perfect pitch.
Tanya Thompson
Senior Director Inventor Relations and External Innovation, Hasbro Gaming
10:40am
25 Mins
Journey to Mass Market
Ever wonder how Hasbro takes an idea from concept to shelf? Get an overview of the product roadmap, including what makes an idea suitable for the mass market. On this panel, hear from leaders at Hasbro about the different phases of development and unlock a new way to think about your own toy and game ideas so you can invent products that better align with the needs of a mass market company like Hasbro.
Azhelle Wade
CEO & Founder of The Toy Coach
Kate Fakonas
Director of Design, Play-Doh and Creative Play
Jennifer Boswinkel
Vice President Brand Management Hasbro Gaming & Monopoly
11:05am
20 Mins
Overcoming Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
In this talk, Cynthia Williams, President of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Gaming, shares stories from her life and career and provides concrete actions you can take to navigate feelings of imposter syndrome.
Cynthia Williams
President of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Gaming
11:35am
25 Mins
Cultivating Dynamic Resilience
How embracing serendipity, setback and yes, failure can lead to dynamic breakthroughs in professional outcomes and personal creativity, and foster intention, joy, and play in everyday workflow.
Aisha Tyler
Actor, Director, Entrepreneur
12:00pm
15 Mins
How to be a Successful Inventor
Eleanor has worked in the Toy industry for 20 years, with toy companies, both big and small, building relationships and getting to know the DNA of these companies. Her talk will include strategies and tips she has learned firsthand, insights on what it takes to be successful when pitching, and how not to take rejection to heart.
Eleanor Black
Commercial Director @ Fuse London Ltd
12:15pm
15 Mins
Special Key Announcement and Closing
Don’t miss our special key announcement to close out the inaugural Women Innovators of Play event!
Kim Boyd
Head of Toy @ Hasbro, Inc.
Tanya Thompson
Senior Director Inventor Relations and External Innovation, Hasbro Gaming
Register for the event
The annual Women Innovators of Play event will be held on October 9th