Women in the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) said it has awarded more than $41,000 in scholarships to 14 women across the flooring industry pursuing education and career growth opportunities. Additionally, WIFI will host a “Coffee & Conversation” event during Chicago Design Days on Tues., June 9, in Mannington Commercial’s showroom.
The 2026 WIFI scholarship recipients are:
- Melissa Baker, Corlew & Perry, Tennessee, completing the hard surfaces and carpet flooring inspector class through Certified Flooring Installers (CFI)
- Ananda Botello, FlorTech, Florida, pursuing her project management professional certification through Project Management Academy
- Misty Foster, Shaw Industries Group, Georgia, working toward a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management at Georgia Highlands College
- Corinne Gilbert, Gilbert’s Carpets Plus Color Tile, Michigan, completing the accounting and administrative assistant professional program at Mid Michigan College
- Ashley Luna, RL Flooring, California, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at San Diego State University
- Ashley Pinnell, Pinnell’s Carpet One Floor & Home, California, participating in the Emerging Leaders Academy through CCA Global Partners
- Jasmina Posada, Shaw Industries, Georgia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Dalton State College
- Sam Robinson, Ultimate Flooring, Ohio, completing the SEAL leadership development certification program through the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
- Melissa Rodriguez, Noble Floors, California, completing an interior design course through the New York Institute of Art & Design
- Mykenzie Stuhrenberg, Jims Carpet One Floor & Home, Iowa, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in interior design at Iowa State University
- Shari Sullivan, Louisville Tile Distributors, Indiana, earning an effective workplace communication skills certificate through the University of Southern Indiana
- Andrea Velez, Professional Diversified Flooring, California, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing through Western Governors University
- Rachel Warn, Shaw Industries, Georgia, working toward a master’s degree in business administration in human resources management and organizational leadership through Strayer University
- Christina Williams, Shaw Industries, Georgia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human resources through Southern New Hampshire University
WIFI plans to launch an additional mini scholarship round in Fall 2026. For more information, visit https://www.womeninflooring.org/scholarships.
WIFI’s Coffee & Conversation will be held during Chicago Design Days at 8:15 a.m. (CST) on June 9 in Mannington Commercial’s Fulton Market showroom. The event will offer attendees an opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, build new relationships and start the morning with meaningful conversation, WIFI said. Register here: https://loom.ly/cYbkNNM.
