The Toy Foundation™’s DEI Pipeline Program Introduces First Hires into the Toy Industry

November 20, 2023 | Two University of Maryland student participants of The Toy Foundation™’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program secured job placements during the program’s capstone event at Toy Fair®, a five-day program that offered networking, recruitment, and educational opportunities for talented and diverse students. Riley Nelson secured an internship at Radio Flyer after meeting a company representative during a networking event, while Megan Miller landed a marketing role at R&R Games after visiting the company’s exhibit booth.

“My family and I have always loved games, but I never believed that I would actually get paid to play them,” Miller said. “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this program. There’s no way that I would have met R&R Games’ founder and president, Mr. Frank DiLorenzo, and gotten this job without it.”

The DEI Pipeline Program is focused on creating a candidate pool of students for The Toy Association™ members’ internship and first-hire job opportunities. Throughout the year, the program connects the toy industry with engaged students through a collegiate case study competition that culminated at Toy Fair with participation from Crazy Aaron’s, The Dr. Lisa Company (formerly World of EPI), Horizon Group, In KidZ, Jazwares, Mattel, Paramount, Target, Thames & Kosmos, The Walt Disney Company, and Women in Toys Licensing & Entertainment.

“These students are our next leaders, and it was incredible to watch them engage with industry leaders, exchange ideas about DEI in our industry, and discuss career opportunities. We look forward to growing this program with the next class of students,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director at The Toy Foundation.

Click here for more information about the DEI Pipeline Program’s fall semester case study competition at the University of Maryland and how to get involved.