Women In the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) announced its 2025 scholarship program winners during a breakfast event at NeoCon, awarding $30,000 in educational funding to 16 women pursuing various forms of professional development in the flooring industry.

The scholarships support recipients pursuing college degrees, trade school programs, technical education, and career development certifications. Awards ranged from $299 to $4,500, with recipients spanning roles from project managers and design technicians to students and company executives across multiple states.

WIFI 2025 scholarship recipients are:

• Sara Antonio, project manager, GP Flooring Solutions, New York. Antonio was awarded $1,000 to pursue Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through eCornell.
• Rebecca Bell, marketing project manager, Louisville Tile Distributors, Kentucky. Bell was awarded $1,000 to pursue Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through the University of Louisville.
• Ananda Botello, president, Lektraflor and FlorTech, Florida. Botello was awarded $1,000 to attend Florida Atlantic University’s Leadership Boot Camp: People Management. 
• Deidre Eues, general manager, La Mesa Flooring Co., California. Eues was awarded $1,000 to pursue Carpet and Hard Surface certification through Certified Flooring Installers (CFI).
• Misty Foster, design technician, Shaw Industries, Georgia. Foster was awarded $4,500 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management at Georgia Highlands College.
• Corinne Gilbert, assistant manager, Gilbert’s Carpets Plus ColorTile, Michigan. Gilbert was awarded $645 to complete the Michigan Contractor Training’s 60-hour pre-license course.
• Julie Grajeda, head of product and sustainability, Arto, California. Grajeda was awarded $1,000 to pursue both LEED and WELL AP certifications through the U.S. Green Building Council.
• Alexandra Hutchison, manager of academic services and design, The Carpet Guys, Michigan. Hutchinson was awarded $1,000 to pursue the Certified Professional credential through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
• Ashley Luna, student, California. Luna was awarded $3,680 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration at San Diego State University and hopes to return to her family flooring business post-graduation.
• April Manley, project manager, Professional Diversified Flooring, California. Manley was awarded $1,000 to pursue the Project Management Institute certification through the University of California.
• Lu Mauldin, senior product manager, HMTX Industries, Georgia. Mauldin was awarded $299 to pursue the SEAL leadership development certification through the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA).
• Anna McCortney, operations manager, Ultimate Flooring, Ohio. McCortney was awarded $999 to pursue an interior design certificate through the Interior Design Institute.
• Kristy Panos, director of human resources, Louisville Tile Distributors, Indiana. Panos was awarded $327 to enroll in the People Analytics course from the Society of Human Resource Management.
• Jasmina Posada, marketing manager, Shaw Industries, Georgia. Posada was awarded $4,500 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Dalton State College.
• Laura Spicer, controller, Cincinnati Mosaic Inc., Ohio. Spicer was awarded $4,500 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Franklin University.
• Sophia Williams, sales intern, Shaw Industries, California. Williams was awarded $4,500 to pursuing a bachelor’s degree in leadership studies at San Diego State University.

The announcement took place during WIFI's breakfast event in the Mannington Commercial booth on the second day of NeoCon. WIFI board member Whitney Legate highlighted the organization's free mentoring program and monthly Power Hours during the presentation.

WIFI, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, focuses on attracting, educating, and empowering women in the flooring industry through scholarships, mentoring, leadership training, and industry events. The organization's Friends of WIFI donor program supports future scholarship funding, with individual memberships available for $15 monthly and corporate recognition levels beginning at $1,500 annually.