by ANGELINA CASTRO, Executive Director, Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment (WiT)
The future of our industry depends on who we invest in today. Each year, I am struck by how often the most impactful talent enters our field through unexpected paths and how powerful it can be when someone finally feels seen and knows there is a place for them here. At Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT), the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program is meant to be that place, offering support, access, and mentorship to help women turn ambition into confidence, connection, and impact.
As applications open for the 2026 WiT Foundation Scholarship Program, we are reminded that there is no single path forward. Each year, WiT Scholars illustrate the breadth of talent shaping our field. Their academic pursuits and career goals span business, engineering, technology, design, and storytelling, mirroring the interdisciplinary reality of how products, experiences, and brands are brought to life. The 2025 WiT Foundation Scholarship recipients exemplify the curiosity, leadership, and potential the program was designed to support.
Christine Xu, a Mechanical Engineering student at MIT concentrating in product development and design, embodies hands-on creativity. Inspired early by toy design, she strives to create physical products that foster joy, connection, and imagination. Her work reminds us that thoughtful design and human-centered engineering remain essential in an increasingly digital world.
Grace Garner, a Graphic Design student at Lindenwood University, is a visual storyteller with a passion for impact. Her interests in illustration, literature, and immersive environments highlight the power of design to shape experiences and influence storytelling. Her commitment to representation speaks to the importance of diverse voices in industries of influence.
Isabella Chavez, a Supply Chain Management student at the University of Arkansas with a minor in Business Analytics, brings a global lens to her studies. Growing up between countries sparked her interest in how products move across borders and the systems behind everyday goods. As an incoming student organization president focused on supply chain leadership, she reflects how curiosity, service, and global thinking shape future business leaders.
Sarah Mashiat, a Computer Science student at Princeton University, brings together technology and narrative. With a background in engineering and a focus on software-driven solutions, she reflects the direction of interactive experiences. Her work in journalism further underscores the importance of storytelling, clarity, and user-centered thinking in shaping meaningful products and brands.
Rachel Fox, a Finance and Supply Chain Management student at the University of Arkansas, represents the critical infrastructure behind every successful product. Her passion for logistics and systems thinking highlights the importance of efficient, ethical supply chains and strong operational leadership, reinforcing that business-focused roles are foundational to innovation and growth.
Together, these scholars show what is possible when talent meets access and support. Their journeys reflect the range of skills, perspectives, and ambitions that continue to move our industry forward. Supporting the next generation is not only about individual growth but also about nurturing the ideas, leadership, and creativity that will define what comes next.
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A version of this feature first appeared in the 2026 edition of The BIG Toy Book. Read the full issue here!
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