Two Ten Footwear Foundation announced on Monday that seven founding members of its Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) Advisory Board will receive the 2025 WIFI Impact Award at its annual gala later this year.
The honor comes in recognition of their leadership in reinvigorating the affinity group, which was first founded in 2010 by footwear veterans Carol Baiocchi and Diane Sullivan and relaunched in 2023.
The WIFI Advisory Board’s seven original members who will be recognized at the gala include: Board Chair Sarah Bloch, SVP, Footwear and Accessories, Circana; Board Secretary Jori Miller Sherer, President, Minnetonka; and Board members Stephanie Berg, Senior Director of Sales, Birkenstock USA; Eli Del Carmen, VP, Sales, Caleres; Kathy Forstadt, Former Senior Director of Merchandising, Zappos.com; Christina Gigante, VP of Sales, Skechers (BOBS/BOBS Sport Divisions); and Melissa Worth, SVP Americas, New Balance.
WIFI has attracted members across the country representing all segments of the U.S. footwear industry and including women at all career stages to provide a community and forum for women to connect and support one another. WIFI has since offered events and programs, mentorship and more through the years, with 5,000 members at its peak. Now, WIFI is focused on the next generation. Community growth is the No.1 priority for the group as it looks to advance women in footwear and increase representation all around.
“WIFI community events were on hiatus for an extended period during the Covid pandemic, interrupting the momentum that had been building prior to 2020,” said Shawn Osborne, president and CEO of Two Ten. “But thanks to the leadership of Sarah, Jori, Stephanie, Eli, Kathy, Christina, and Melissa, WIFI is once again a vibrant, growing community inspiring and elevating women in our industry. We’re delighted to recognize the founding members of the WIFI Advisory Board for making that happen. What they’ve achieved is remarkable.”
The Two Ten Annual Gala will take place on June 3 at The Glasshouse in New York.
In addition to the Impact Award, David Kahan, president of Birkenstock Americas, will be honored by Two Ten Footwear Foundation with the A.A. Bloom Memorial Award.
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