named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Member Spotlight
Features member stories to highlight achievements and share career advice within the WiT community.
Wonder Women Awards
Recognizes and elevates the contributions of women across the global toy, licensing, and entertainment industry.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Women's Leadership & Career Advancement Networks 3 activities
- Global mentorship program for women in toy, licensing, and entertainment industriesOperates a 4-month one-on-one mentorship program that connects experienced industry professionals with aspiring women and young professionals to support career development and personal growth, including the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program.
- Leadership and educational opportunities for professional growthProvides leadership development, educational resources, and strategic oversight for mentorship and professional development initiatives to support the recruitment, advancement, and success of women in targeted industries.
- Member networking and community platformsOperates a global networking community for professional women, offering a private Slack community, job and candidate boards, and exclusive access to events and resources to facilitate connections and career opportunities.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Annual Wonder Women Awards GalaHosts an annual gala event to recognize outstanding women leaders and innovators in the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries, including managing nominations, planning, and execution.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Member committee participation for organizational inputOffers members opportunities to join committees to help shape organizational programming and initiatives, supporting capacity building within the foundation’s governance and outreach.
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Professional Membership and Association Benefits 1 activity
- Member engagement and storytellingHighlights member stories to share personal experiences and professional advice within the community, fostering connection and inspiration among members.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Professional development programming and eventsOrganizes workshops, webinars, virtual summits, panel discussions, and networking events focused on leadership skill building and career advancement for women in the toy, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment industries.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- WiT Foundation Scholarship ProgramAdministers an annual scholarship program that provides financial assistance to undergraduate students pursuing careers in the toy, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment industries, including recipient selection and fund distribution.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Young Professionals Network programmingProvides strategic direction and support for professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities tailored to emerging business leaders in the toy, entertainment, and licensing industries.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Membership access and referral incentivesOffers referral incentives including $25 credits, one-month membership extensions for referrers, and three-month membership bonuses for referred individuals who join at annual or biennial levels, along with free memberships for students and unemployed individuals.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$880K
Contributions & grants$874K99%
Program service revenue$78K9%
Investment income$7K1%
Other revenue$-78K
expenses
Total expenses$1.14M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$367K
Grants paid out$30K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$471K
Cash$465K
Investments$0
Liabilities$187K
Net assets$284K
Liquid reserves4.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +6.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Kay Russell | Executive Director (former) | 40 | $108K |
| Angelina Castro | Executive Director | 1 | $24K |
board members · 16
- Anne Carrihill — Director
- Christina Liquori — Treasurer
- Deirdre Cross — Director
- Ehi Oviasu-Kahn — Chairperson
- Gena Lavallee — Director
- Julie Gwaltney — Director
- Julien Sharp — Director
- Kristi Wasmer — Director
- Kristin Lecour — Director
- Leila Nosrati — Director
- Lisa Gilbert — Director
- Michelle Weber — Director
- Nancy Molenda — Director
- NatashaTous — Director
- Stephanie Bailey — Director
- Tara Deakin — Director
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- ADK Emotions NY Partner — Employer of WiT YPN participant Alexis Wilcock, indicating professional connection to the network.
- Corus Entertainment / Nelvana Partner — Employer of WiT YPN participant and community member Marijana Mustec, indicating organizational affiliation through individual participation.
- Grady Health System Partner — Integrated food prescriptions into primary care
- Hasbro Partner — Employer of WiT YPN participant Shelby Lapoce-Lintz, reflecting industry engagement with the network.
- Kennedy-Matsumoto Design Partner — Susan Matsumoto, co-founder of WiT, is a partner at Kennedy-Matsumoto Design
- Michele Martell Partner — Collaborated with entertainment, licensing, and IP attorney Michele Martell to deliver a webinar on intellectual property.
- Pitrone & Associates Partner — Founded by Anne Pitrone, CEO of Pitrone & Associates
- The LEGO Group Partner — Employer of WiT YPN participant Haley Chapman, demonstrating industry partner engagement.
- The Mattel Foundation Funder — Generous underwriter of the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program
- Tomgrrrl Toys LLC Partner — Member organization featured in Member Spotlight; led by Annmarie Percic, President/Founder.
- Torch Partner — Technology platform used to manage mentorship scheduling and communication.
- Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Network — Global community focused on advancing women in the toys, licensing, and entertainment industries
- Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Partner — Administers the WiT Scholarship program in partnership with The WiT Foundation.
- Young Professionals Network Network — WiT hosts a Young Professionals Network (YPN) to support early-career professionals, recent graduates, and emerging entrepreneurs.
- eOne Partner — Employer of WiT YPN participant Victoria Lee, reflecting organizational ties through employee involvement.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Education for Empowerment in Creative Industriesmethodology: education_for_empowermentBy demystifying intellectual property and funding educational opportunities, the organization empowers women creators to protect their work and build sustainable brands, because knowledge of legal and business frameworks enables economic self-determination and long-term success.
- Leadership Pipeline Development through Targeted Programmingmethodology: leadership_pipeline_developmentBy offering leadership development, networking, and education tailored to different career stages, the organization builds a stronger pipeline of women leaders in the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries, because structured access to skills, role models, and sponsors increases upward mobility and retention.
- Mentorship as a Growth Catalystmethodology: goal_aligned_mentorshipBy matching mentees with experienced professionals based on goals, interests, and competencies, the organization fosters personal and professional growth, because guided, intentional relationships accelerate skill development and increase confidence and career clarity.
- Peer-Enabled Professional Advancementmethodology: peer_enabled_professional_advancementBy facilitating peer-to-peer support and knowledge sharing, the organization drives career advancement and industry-wide change for women, because collective learning and mutual mentorship strengthen professional resilience and expand opportunities in male-dominated fields.