TLL Staff
Hasbro has announced the return of its Women Innovators of Play program, with the 2025 event launching on October 9.
The initiative, now in its third year, is designed to inspire women and girls to pursue careers in toys, games and creative industries.
The free, 90-minute virtual event will feature leaders from Hasbro, Scopely, Amazon, Target, IDEO and other companies. Sessions will explore topics ranging from retail trends to leadership and product design. Featured speakers include Eunice Lee, COO of Scopely; Christina Jansa, VP of toys at Target; and Liz DeSilva, chief creative officer of Whatever! Company.
“The enthusiasm surrounding our Women Innovators of Play program has been truly inspiring,” said Kim Boyd, Hasbro’s president of licensing and entertainment. “2024 saw double the registrations compared to the prior year. This year’s program unites trailblazing industry leaders who are redefining the future of play and imagination.”
The event coincides with the launch of the 2025 Women Innovators of Play Design Challenge, which runs through November 13.
Submissions will be judged on innovation, playability, design and manufacturability. Three winners will each receive a $10,000 prize, a trip to Hasbro’s headquarters and a mentorship session with a Hasbro executive.
Hasbro’s 2024 Challenge saw over 100 submissions from women innovators globally. Submissions were judged on innovation, mass marketability, fun factor and playability, design and aesthetics, and manufacturability. The three winners—Elise Hardman, Amelie Le-Roche, and Natalie Podd—each received a prize of $10,000 USD and visits to Hasbro offices for networking and mentorship sessions with Hasbro women leaders.
Third Annual Design Challenge Open For Submissions
The 2025 Women Innovators of Play Design Challenge will accept submissions from October 9 through November 13, 2025, in search of the next great woman-led mass-market toy or game.
The top three innovators will receive:
- $10,000 USD Cash prize
- A trip to Hasbro’s World Headquarters for “A Day at Hasbro”
- A mentorship session with one of Hasbro’s top women leaders
At this year’s event, two of the 2024 winners, Elise Hardman and Natalie Podd, will share advice and insights during the 2025 virtual event.
The program also supports youth engagement through Hasbro’s partnership with Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation initiative. Its LinkedIn community has grown to more than 1,000 members across the toy, game and licensing industries.
More information on the 2025 program and registration is available at spark.hasbro.com/womeninnovators.