2025 WONDER WOMEN AWARDS
Lights, Camera, Action! On September 11, 2024, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles we celebrated the remarkable women executives, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and changemakers who are propelling the toy, consumer products, licensing and entertainment industries forward.
Timed to coincide with LA Fall Toy Previews, this year's much-anticipated celebration brought together top industry executives from manufacturers, entertainment studios, retailers, media outlets, and the world's most iconic brand owners. Together, we honored the brilliant women whose innovation and leadership ignite and uplift our industry!
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Thursday, September 11, 2025
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (PDT)
The Beverly Hilton
Los Angeles
2025 Award Categories
CATALYST FOR CHANGE recognizes a woman driving systemic change in the industry by promoting ethical practices and inspiring positive change in their organizations and beyond.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: HR leaders, nonprofit founders, policy influencers, or grassroots advocates, corporate social responsibility, sustainability groups
BRAND FRANCHISE Leadership recognizes a team or leader behind the development, growth, or transformation of a successful brand franchise within consumer products, toys, licensing or entertainment.
Individual or Team Award
Suggested Recipients: Franchise development, franchise management
COMMERCIAL EXCELLENCE recognizes a team or individual's outstanding achievement in sales strategy, growth, and execution across retail, licensing, or B2B channels.
Team Award
Suggested Recipients: Sales executives, account managers, retail buyers, rep groups
DESIGNER/INVENTOR - CORPORATE recognizes a corporate-based creator for innovation in product or property design that drives commercial and creative success. (making the impossible, possible through innovative design...)
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Toy designers, creative directors, in-house R&D leads
DESIGNER/INVENTOR - INDEPENDENT recognizes an independent creator or entrepreneur whose original designs have shaped the industry or inspired licensing success.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Freelance inventors, startup founders, independent designers
DIGITAL INNOVATOR recognizes innovation in digital content, platforms, commerce, or engagement that elevates brands and consumer experience.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Digital marketers, UX leads, e-commerce leaders, digital storytellers
INBOUND LICENSING recognizes excellence in identifying, securing, and growing licensed properties that enhance brand value and consumer reach.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Licensing managers, brand partners, licensors, manufacturers
LICENSING AGENT/AGENCY recognizes a talented licensing agent or agency that has demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and success in licensing properties and brands across various consumer product categories.arious consumer product categories.
Individual or Team Award
Suggested Recipients: Agent or Agency
MARKETING recognizes a creative and strategic excellence in brand building, consumer marketing, and campaign execution.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: CMOs, brand marketers, marketing teams or campaign leaders
MENTOR OF THE YEAR Recognizing an inspirational woman who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to mentoring others, who has gone above and beyond to support, guide, and inspire others to achieve their full potential.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Individual From Any Company
PR & COMMUNICATION EXCELLENCE Celebrates leaders in public relations who drive brand visibility, reputation, and storytelling through impactful communication.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: PR agency leads, in-house PR heads, comms strategists
RISING LEADER >500 EMPLOYEES Honors a standout emerging leader within a large organization who is shaping the future of the industry with creativity and impact.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: High-potential managers, team leads, innovators
RISING LEADER <500 EMPLOYEES Recognizes an emerging professional from a small-to-mid-sized company who is making bold contributions and showing strong leadership potential.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Directors, department heads, rising execs
SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Recognizes a female entrepreneur who has built and grown a successful business in the toys, licensing, or entertainment space.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Founders, independent brand owners, boutique licensors
UNSUNG HERO (<500 EMPLOYEES) Recognizes a behind-the-scenes contributor at a smaller company whose impact, dedication, and excellence often go unnoticed.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Project managers, admin leaders, operations leads
UNSUNG HERO (>500 EMPLOYEES) Honors a team player within a larger organization who goes above and beyond to support success without seeking the spotlight.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Coordinators, producers, team operations
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LEADER Recognizes a woman at the forefront of integrating new technologies—like AI, AR/VR, or data platforms—into consumer products, toys, licensing, or entertainment experiences.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Tech product managers, digital innovation execs, engineers, XR developers
WiT CHAMPION Celebrates a woman who exemplifies the spirit of WiT through volunteerism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing the community and mission.
Individual Award
Suggested Recipients: Longtime WiT volunteers, mentors, board members, chapter chairs, company liasions
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Nominations are open from March 27 through May 19, 2023.
Submission Fee:
$100 per nomination - Your contribution to nominate will benefit the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program and fund vitally important programming. Nomination fees are non-refundable.​
Eligibility:
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Anyone may submit a nominee.
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Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged.
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For companies nominating employees, please limit your nominations to one nominee per category.
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Nominator has consent on behalf of the nominee for submitting the nomination.
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Submissions must be received by May 19, 2023 to be eligible.
On the nomination form, tell us why your candidate is deserving of a nomination, and include a bullet list of 3-5 major accomplishments. (Total 300 words or less)
Follow These Helpful Hints:
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Edit your submission carefully, as the content you provide will be published for voters to review.
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Focus on your nominee’s achievements and accomplishments instead of your personal relationship with her.
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Use a bullet-list when describing your nominee's accomplishments. This makes it easy for voters to read.
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Review the Award Criteria on this page and address one or more of the questions shown, which will be considered when deciding the final slate of nominees.
AWARD CRITERIA
The Wonder Women Awards recognize outstanding women who have made a significant and lasting impact on the toy, consumer products, licensing and entertainment industries.
Tell us your nominee's story! Emphasize the unique elements of her leadership achievements that make her stand out. How have her accomplishments:
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Positively impacted her company, peers, or industry?
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Contributed to the growth or improvement of her company or the toy, licensing or entertainment industries?
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Served as a role model for other individuals or companies in the industry?
SELECTION PROCESS
All nominee submissions will be reviewed by the Wonder Women Committee and WiT staff to ensure eligibility is met. When necessary, a nominee may be moved to a different category than originally nominated.
All nominees will be contacted by WiT, and have the opportunity to accept or decline their nomination prior to the official Final Slate announcement.
Voting for the winners will be conducted by all active WiT members, including Committee Chairs, Chapter Chairs, and WiT Board of Directors. Winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala in New York City on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN THROUGH MAY 2, 2025
Submission Fee:
$100 per nomination - Your contribution will benefit the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program and fund vitally important programming. Nomination fees are non-refundable.​
Eligibility:
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Please note new TEAM and INDIVDUAL Awards.
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For TEAM Awards, provide the name of the female team leader. If the team wins, the team leader should accept the award, and the team is invited to join her on stage. Team Awards may include male allies.
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Anyone may submit a nominee.
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Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged.
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Companies, please nominate only one nominee per category.
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Nominator must have the nominee’s consent to submit the nomination.
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While not required, we encourage nominees to attend the Wonder Women Awards Gala.
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Submissions must be received by May 2, 2025 to be eligible.
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SELECTION PROCESS
All nominee submissions will be reviewed by the Wonder Women Committee and WiT staff to ensure eligibility is met. When necessary, a nominee may be moved to a different category than originally nominated.
All nominees will be contacted by WiT, and have the opportunity to accept or decline their nomination prior to the official Final Slate announcement.
Voting for the winners will be conducted by all active WiT members, including Committee Chairs, Chapter Chairs, and WiT Voting for the winners will be conducted by all active WiT members, including Committee Chairs, Chapter Chairs, and WiT Board of Directors. Winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 11, 2024.
FAQ
When will the location be announced, and when can I buy tickets?
The location for the 2024 Wonder Women Awards Gala in Los Angeles, CA at The Beverly Hilton: 9876 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Tickets and more information are available here.
What is the format of the WiT Wonder Women Awards?
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner and Awards program.
What is the suggested attire for the WiT Wonder Women Awards?
Evening or cocktail attire is recommended.
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Is there assigned seating at the event?
Yes. We will do our best to seat you with everyone in your party. Please include any seating requests in the notes section of your ticket purchase. Assigned seating is only guaranteed for full table purchases.
Does the Wonder Women Awards sell out?
Yes, this event has sold out in the past and may sell out again so purchase your tickets early.!
Are tickets refundable?
No, all ticket purchases are non-refundable.
I’m a journalist who wants to cover the WiT Wonder Women Awards on Friday, September 13. Are there tickets for the media?
For press-related inquiries, please email info@womenintoys.com
Directions to the event:
We recommend using rideshare (Uber, Lyft, Waymo) to attend the Wonder Women Gala. Using rideshare to attend the event ensures a hassle-free and convenient journey, avoiding the stress of parking and navigating unfamiliar areas. Plus, it allows you to relax and enjoy the ride, arriving refreshed and ready to enjoy the occasion.
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