Mattel Announces Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for Women in Toys Timed to Company’s 75th Anniversary

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today announced the creation of the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment (WIT). The mentorship program, the toy industry’s first for women, was launched at the 2020 Wonder Women Awards ceremony, an annual celebration of the industry's female leaders, and WIT's largest fundraising event, held at Chelsea Pier on February 23, during New York International Toy Fair.

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Janice Ross, President of WIT, and Amy Thompson, Chief People Officer of Mattel (Photo: Business Wire)

The Ruth Handler Mentorship Program is timed to Mattel’s 75th anniversary and designed to advance career growth across the toy industry through mentorship, coaching, professional development and learning. The global, company-agnostic program is underwritten by The Mattel Foundation and named after Handler, Mattel’s co-founder and creator of the Barbie® brand, who was a mentor to many and inspired girls of all ages to reach their limitless potential. This program is designed to be beneficial for both mentors and mentees, giving them a platform to connect and move the industry forward.

“Mattel marks its 75th anniversary this year and the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for WIT is a perfect way to carry on the legacy of our founder, commemorate our rich heritage and celebrate our commitment to supporting rising female leaders,” said Amy Thompson, Chief People Officer, Mattel. “This is the industry’s first mentorship program for women designed to advance career growth across the toy industry through mentorship, coaching, professional development and learning.”

The Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for WIT is powered by Everwise, a leading learning-experience platform for professional development, through an online portal that uses nudge technology and prompts to guide mentorship on and offline. It will also provide a library of content and career development tools. The progress of the program will be tracked through participation, survey data and annual reports.

“WIT is thrilled to have Mattel’s generous support with this game-changing program, which is a vital step in helping our industry grow,” said Janice Ross, WIT president. “This will benefit women at all stages of their career by connecting them with the mentors and support networks they need.”

To get involved with the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program, please visit www.WomeninToys.com.

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®, Fisher-Price®, Thomas & Friends™ and Mega®, as well as other popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.

ABOUT WOMEN IN TOYS, LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 1991, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) / The WIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to advance women through leadership, networking and educational opportunities. WIT serves and supports women at all stages of their careers, from entrepreneurs and startups to seasoned industry veterans. The WIT Foundation grants scholarships to deserving students enrolled in industry-related undergraduate programs. WIT has 25 chapters throughout the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, France, the UK and Australia, with liaisons in Finland, Germany, India and Lebanon.

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