Women In the Floorcovering Industry Awards $41,000 in Scholarships and Brings Connection & Career Growth to Chicago Design Days
Top row, from left, 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; and Jasmina Posada, Shaw Industries. Bottom row, from left, 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.
Dalton, Ga. – May. 28, 2026 – Women In the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) has awarded more than $41,000 in scholarships to 14 women across the flooring industry pursuing education and career growth opportunities, furthering WIFI’s mission to attract, educate, and empower women in flooring. Continuing that focus on professional growth and connection, WIFI will also host Coffee & Conversation during Chicago Design Days on Tuesday, June 9 in Mannington Commercial’s showroom. Register here: https://loom.ly/cYbkNNM.
The 2026 WIFI scholarship recipients are:
Melissa Baker, Corlew & Perry Inc., Tennessee, is completing the hard surfaces and carpet flooring inspector class through Certified Flooring Installers.
Ananda Botello, FlorTech, Florida, is pursuing her Project Management Professional certification through Project Management Academy.
Misty Foster, Shaw Industries Group Inc., Georgia, is 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, is completing the accounting and administrative assistant professional program at Mid Michigan College.
Ashley Luna, RL Flooring Inc., California, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at San Diego State University.
Ashley Pinnell, Pinnell’s Carpet One Floor & Home, California, is participating in the Emerging Leaders Academy through CCA Global Partners.
Jasmina Posada, Shaw Industries, Georgia, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Dalton State College.
Sam Robinson, Ultimate Flooring, Ohio, is completing the SEAL leadership development certification program through the World Floor Covering Association.
Melissa Rodriguez, Noble Floors, California, is completing an interior design course through the New York Institute of Art & Design.
Mykenzie Stuhrenberg, Jims Carpet One Floor & Home, Iowa, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in interior design at Iowa State University.
Shari Sullivan, Louisville Tile Distributors Inc., Indiana, is earning an effective workplace communication skills certificate through the University of Southern Indiana.
Andrea Velez, Professional Diversified Flooring, California, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing through Western Governors University.
Rachel Warn, Shaw Industries, Georgia, is working toward a master’s degree in business administration in human resources management and organizational leadership through Strayer University.
Christina Williams, Shaw Industries, Georgia, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human resources through Southern New Hampshire University.
The opportunities continue! WIFI will launch an additional mini scholarship round in Fall 2026, creating even more ways for women in the flooring industry to invest in their education and career growth. Stay tuned for updates and visit https://www.womeninflooring.org/scholarships to learn more about the WIFI Scholarship Program.
Industry professionals are also invited to attend WIFI Coffee & Conversation during Chicago Design Days on Tuesday, June 9 at 8:15 a.m. CT 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 and community. Register here: https://loom.ly/cYbkNNM.
About WIFI
Women In the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting, educating, and empowering women in the flooring industry. Through initiatives such as scholarships, mentoring, leadership training, and industry events, WIFI builds a strong, supportive community and creates pathways for women to thrive. To explore programs or support WIFI’s mission, visit www.womeninflooring.org.
Support the work of WIFI through joining Friends of WIFI with an individual or corporate gift at https://www.womeninflooring.org/friends.