2026
W ONDER WOMEN
AWARDS
She Builds. She Leads. She Inspires.
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Dearest WiT Member,
When extraordinary women are making history, honors must be bestowed.
The Wonder Women Awards is a modern-day soirée honoring the visionaries, innovators and changemakers shaping the future with brilliance and bold leadership.
This is no ordinary evening. It is a celebration of impact, influence and the remarkable women whose legacies are unfolding before our very eyes.
One might say the most distinguished leaders of the season will be revealed here.
Additional details forthcoming. Until then, dearest reader, consider this your invitation to watch the next chapter unfold.
Because the most remarkable stories of leadership are still being written.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
FINALIST SELECTION
Nominations for the 2026 Wonder Women Awards open Monday, March 9 and close Monday, April 13, 2026. All complete submissions must be received by April 13, 2026 to be considered.
A $100 submission fee is required for each nomination. Proceeds support the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program and help fund critical industry programming. Please note that nomination fees are non-refundable.
Detailed award category descriptions and suggested nominee profiles are provided below to help guide your submission.
Three award categories allow for team nominations consisting of 2–10 contributors. Teams may include male allies. Team nominations will be accepted in designated team categories only.
Nominations are open to all, including self-nominations. To advance to the finalist stage, nominees must be current WiT members.
Each individual or team may only be nominated in one category. Companies are asked to submit only one nominee per category.
While attendance is encouraged, nominees are not required to attend the Wonder Women Awards to be eligible for recognition but must designate an in-person representative.
All nominations will be received by WiT staff to confirm eligibility requirements, including active WiT membership. The Wonder Women Awards Committee and/or Board of Directors will review and evaluate all completed nominations.
No company will be allowed to have more than one (1) finalist in a single category.
Eligible nominees will be contacted by WiT staff and given the opportunity to accept or decline their nomination prior to the announcement of the official final slate.
Final voting will be conducted by all current WiT members. To participate in voting, members must hold a current WiT membership as of June 15, 2026.
Award winners will be revealed at the Wonder Women Awards Gala in Los Angeles this September.
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2026 AWARD CATEGORIES
Brand Franchise Leadership (Team or Individual)
Individual or Team Award
Honors a team or leader behind the development, growth, or transformation of a successful brand franchise within consumer products, toys, licensing or entertainment.
Franchise development, franchise management
Catalyst for Change (OVER 500 Employees)
Individual Award
Recognizes a woman driving systemic change in the industry by promoting ethical practices and inspiring positive change in their organizations and beyond.
HR leaders, nonprofit founders, policy influencers, or grassroots advocates, corporate social responsibility, sustainability groups
Catalyst for Change (UNDER 500 Employees)
Individual Award
Recognizes a woman driving systemic change in the industry by promoting ethical practices and inspiring positive change in their organizations and beyond.
HR leaders, nonprofit founders, policy influencers, or grassroots advocates, corporate social responsibility, sustainability groups
Commercial Excellence (Team or Individual)
Individual or Team Award
Celebrates a team or individual's outstanding achievement in sales strategy, growth, and execution across retail, licensing, or B2B channels
Sales executives, account managers, retail buyers, rep groups, e-commerce leaders
Designer/Inventor – Corporate
Individual Award
Honors a corporate-based creator for innovation in product or property design that drives commercial and creative success.
Toy designers, creative directors, in-house R&D leads
Designer/Inventor – Independent
Individual Award
Recognizes an independent creator or entrepreneur whose original designs or inventions make the impossible, possible.
Freelance inventors, independent designers, product creators
Digital Innovator
Individual Award
Celebrates innovation in digital storytelling, content creation and audience engagement that elevates brands and consumer experience across social, streaming and emerging digital platforms.
Digital marketers, digital storytellers, content creators, influencers, social strategists and digital community builders
Emerging Technology Leader
Individual Award
Recognizes innovation in technology, systems and platforms that power the future of toys and entertainment, including AI, data science and the advancement of live-selling, social commerce and DTC ecosystems.
Tech product managers, engineers, UX/UI leaders, AI and data science professionals, digital transformation executives and platform or commerce technology leaders
Licensing Excellence (Team or Individual)
Individual or Team Award
Recognizes excellence in the strategic development and growth of licensed brands and properties. Honors individuals, teams or agencies who demonstrate expertise in identifying opportunities, securing partnerships and driving measurable impact across consumer product categories.
Licensing managers, brand partners, licensors, manufacturers, agents, agencies and licensing teams.
Marketing Visionary
Individual Award
Honors creative and strategic excellence in brand building, consumer marketing, and campaign execution.
CMOs, brand marketers, marketing or campaign leaders
Mentor of the Year
Individual Award
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 From Any Company
PR & Communications Excellence
Individual Award
Celebrates leaders in public relations who drive brand visibility, reputation, and storytelling through impactful communication.
PR agency leads, in-house PR heads, comms strategists
Rising Leader (OVER 500 Employees)
Individual Award
Honors a standout leader within a large organization who is early in their career and shaping the future of the industry with creativity and impact.
High-potential managers, team leads, innovators
Rising Leader (UNDER 500 Employees)
Individual Award
Recognizes an early professional from a small-to-mid-sized company who is making bold contributions and showing strong leadership potential.
High-potential managers, team leads, innovators
Small Business / Entrepreneur of the Year
Individual Award
Recognizes a female entrepreneur who has built and grown a successful business in the toys, licensing or entertainment space.
Startup founders, independent brand owners, small business owners
Unsung Hero (OVER 500 Employees)
Individual Award
Honors a team player within a larger organization who goes above and beyond to support success without seeking the spotlight.
Project managers, admin leaders, operations leads, finance partners, legal partners, supply chain
Unsung Hero (UNDER 500 Employees)
Individual Award
Recognizes a behind-the-scenes contributor at a smaller company whose impact, dedication, and excellence often go unnoticed.
Project managers, admin leaders, operations leads, finance partners, legal partners, supply chain
WiT Champion
Individual Award
Celebrates a woman who exemplifies the spirit of WiT through volunteerism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing the community and mission.