2023 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship

The WJA Foundation, in partnership with the Fortunoff family, offers the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship to support retail leaders in advancing their careers through education and management training. This $7,500 annual scholarship honors Helene Fortunoff's commitment to creating opportunities for women in the jewelry industry.

The scholarship supports education in soft and hard skills training, including talent management, project management, effective communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, merchandising, and marketing. Coursework must be completed within one year and may be online or in-person, subject to jury approval. Eligible programs include the Center for Creative Leadership, Dale Carnegie Institute - The Women's Leadership Experience, NYU Executive Education - Leadership Training for High Potentials, LIM Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management, Drexel MS in Retail and Merchandising (online), or any college-level coursework in management, marketing, or merchandising.

Applicants must be currently employed full-time in a retail jewelry store (independent, regional, national, or global chain) with 3-5 years of retail sales/management experience or broader support roles in marketing, merchandising, inventory, or finance. The scholarship is open to female or female-identifying applicants. Applicants must be WJA members in current standing or join WJA upon receipt of the scholarship.