WiT Webinar: The Story of a Great Match: A Ruth Handler Mentorship Conversation

Join Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) for a special virtual conversation celebrating National Mentorship Month and spotlighting the story of a standout Ruth Handler Mentorship Program match between mentor Gena Lavallee and mentee Britney Crowell.

Gena and Britney first connected through The Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for WiT and built a meaningful, lasting professional relationship that still thrives today. In this intimate conversation, they’ll share what mentorship looks like from both sides, how their match shaped their careers, and the unexpected benefits they each gained along the way.

From navigating career crossroads to building confidence, expanding networks, and discovering new leadership perspectives, Gena and Britney will offer candid insight into the real value of mentorship and why programs like this matter.

What to Expect:
 • A 40 minute conversation exploring their mentor–mentee journey
 • Personal stories about how mentorship shaped their careers, growth and leadership
 • What mentors really gain and what mentees need most
 • A short overview of the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program and how to participate
 • How to apply by 1/31/25 to join the upcoming cohort
Whether you’re considering becoming a mentor, seeking support as a mentee, or simply curious about the impact of mentorship, you’ll walk away inspired, grounded, and ready to take the next step in your career journey.

Britney Sadè bio:

Britney Sadè is the WiT Designer/Inventor of the Year (2023) and founder of CurlCap—the first patented, backless, satin-lined cap made to protect and celebrate textured hair. Inspired by her own scalp psoriasis, she turned a personal need into a bestselling product that reshaped headwear across beauty, sports, and entertainment, with standout partnerships including Disney, NASA, USPS, and the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
A proud Ruth Handler Mentorship Program alum, Britney now consults with brands to authentically reach multicultural, Gen Z, and women-centered audiences through cultural strategy, experiential storytelling, and community-driven launches. She also leads workshops, collaborates with Fortune 500 brands, and advocates for intellectual property protection for underestimated creatives—designing experiences that honor heritage and invite people to “crown themselves.”

Gena Lavalle’s bio:

Gena Lavallee is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Make It Real, a fashion crafts and lifestyle company founded in 2016.  Gena currently manages several US key accounts and the US domestic specialty sales rep network;  She also oversees Global Marketing and Product Development for the Crafts and Lifestyle Division.

A true passion for toys and appreciation for the rich history of the industry are evident when engaging Gena on any toy/entertainment related topic.  Gena is a toy industry veteran leveraging her many years in merchandising at Toys R Us as Executive Director of Merchandising; buying several categories including crafts, construction, fashion dolls and tween which serve her well in overseeing product development for Make It Real.