Seeing so many women attend the Women in the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) breakfast at NeoCon 2024 hosted by Mannington Commercial was a joy. I want to thank Mannington for graciously hosting us for the second year—it’s become a beautiful and anticipated tradition!  

At the gathering, WIFI board member Whitney Legate, senior VP of commercial product for Mannington, shared an overview of WIFI's mission and announced the second round of our scholarship program. Tip: you can be anywhere from a high school student to a seasoned professional and apply. She also gave a shout-out to a few of our mentoring program participants who were in attendance. 

WIFI board member Brenda Knowles from Shaw Contract also gave a glimpse into the WIFI June Power Hour, “A Leadership Conversation,” featuring Knowles and Danielle Hunsicker, COO of Diversify. You can see the archives and future Power Hours here. 

WIFI is accepting applications for its second round of scholarships until July 10, 2024. The program supports women in flooring in pursuing post-secondary education, continuing education, and industry certifications. Scholarships range from $250 to $5,000 and are available in two categories: Post-Secondary Education and Continuing Education. 

“Investing in women in the flooring industry is a win-win-win,” shared WIFI board member Betsy Amoroso, chief of staff at Mannington Mills. “It provides women with the tools they need to progress in their careers, strengthens support for communities and families, and yields benefits for companies through decreased turnover, enhanced leadership, and boosted profits.” 

Anyone who identifies as a woman working in the floor covering industry or a woman interested in a career in the floor covering industry is eligible to participate in the scholarship program. An essay of 750 words or less and a letter of recommendation are required. 

Applications must be received by July 10, 2024, and scholarship recipients will be notified by July 31, 2024. Apply at www.womeninflooring.org/scholarships.