Mattel to Receive Corporate Changemaker Award from National Women’s History Museum
The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) announces that Mattel, Inc., a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, will be honored with the inaugural Evelyn Y. Davis Corporate Changemaker Award, at NWHM’s Women Making History Awards Gala on March 20, 2025. Accepting the award on the company’s behalf will be Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and chief brand officer of Mattel.
Mattel is being honored with this first-ever corporate award, recognizing the societal impact of its brands like Barbie on generations of girls, and its purpose to empower all to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
“It is an incredible honor for Mattel to be recognized with the inaugural Evelyn Y. Davis Corporate Changemaker Award,” said McKnight. “This award reflects Mattel’s commitment to our purpose, the impact of initiatives like the Barbie Dream Gap Project, and how our brands like Barbie, Monster High and American Girl allow generations of children everywhere to see themselves in our products, content, and experiences.”
“Mattel is a trailblazer in challenging stereotypes and advancing gender equity through the power of play and storytelling,” added NWHM Board Chair Susan D. Whiting. “Mattel has shown an unwavering commitment to empowering girls to see themselves as limitless, capable and powerful.”
Evelyn Y. Davis, the namesake of the Corporate Changemaker Award, and Ruth Handler, Mattel’s co-founder, first corporate president and Barbie’s creator, both shared a groundbreaking vision of challenging how women are perceived in society. Davis was an advocate for transparency, accountability and gender equity in the corporate world, while similarly Handler revolutionized the toy industry by creating toys that challenged traditional gender roles and empowered girls to dream big.
A nearly 25-year Mattel veteran, McKnight oversees all the company’s toy categories and over 100 global brands including Hot Wheels, Fisher Price, UNO and more, driving brand and business strategy, marketing, consumer insights and product design. She spearheaded Barbie’s transformation into the #1 Global Toy Property (2020, 2021) and #1 Global Doll Property (2020–2024). McKnight has led the charge in defining Barbie’s global social mission, launching the Barbie Dream Gap Project in 2018, a multi-year initiative empowering over 25 million girls by leveling the playing field.
The Women Making History Awards Gala will celebrate extraordinary trailblazing women, such as those previously honored like Rita Moreno, Maya Angelou and Katherine Johnson—all of whom have also been celebrated by Barbie with dolls made in their likeness—who have made profound contributions and inspire the next generation of leaders, change agents, and history makers. By honoring companies like Mattel, NWHM hopes to encourage more brands to take meaningful action to advance gender equity and representation, creating a lasting impact for future generations.
