Dalton—Women in the Floorcovering Industry awarded more than $41,000 in scholarships to 14 women across the flooring industry.
The scholarships support education and career growth opportunities. WIFI said the awards further its mission to attract, educate and empower women in flooring.
The 2026 WIFI scholarship recipients are Melissa Baker, Corlew & Perry Inc.; Ananda Botello, FlorTech; Misty Foster, Shaw Industries Group Inc.; Corinne Gilbert, Gilbert’s Carpets Plus Color Tile; Ashley Luna, RL Flooring Inc.; Ashley Pinnell, Pinnell’s Carpet One Floor & Home; Jasmina Posada, Shaw Industries; Sam Robinson, Ultimate Flooring; Melissa Rodriguez, Noble Floors; Mykenzie Stuhrenberg, Jims Carpet One Floor & Home; Shari Sullivan, Louisville Tile Distributors Inc.; Andrea Velez, Professional Diversified Flooring; Rachel Warn, Shaw Industries; and Christina Williams, Shaw Industries.
Recipients are pursuing programs in flooring inspection, project management, logistics, business administration, marketing, interior design, leadership development, workplace communication, human resources and other career-focused fields.
WIFI will launch an additional mini scholarship round in fall 2026. The organization said the round will create more opportunities for women in the flooring industry to invest in education and career development.
Chicago Design Days event planned
WIFI also will host Coffee & Conversation during Chicago Design Days. The event will take place June 9 at 8:15 a.m., in Mannington Commercial’s Fulton Market showroom.
The event will give industry professionals a chance to connect, build relationships and start the morning with conversation and community.