Aldo Group is pledging its support of ’s Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) initiative with a new donation.
On Tuesday, the Canadian footwear company said it will donate $375,000 over three years in support of the WIFI initiative. The three-year pledge, delivered as annual contributions of $125,000 from 2026 through 2028, will go to providing resources for educational programming, networking opportunities, and community building designed to advance women across the footwear industry.
Shawn Osborne, chief executive officer of Two Ten Footwear Foundation, said in a statement that he is “deeply grateful” for Aldo Group’s support and leadership as the organization charts the next steps for its WIFI community.
“This new commitment builds on Aldo’s deep history of philanthropy with Two Ten and reflects our shared dedication to the mission of lifting lives in the footwear industry and empowering the women who are shaping its future,” Osborne noted.
WIFI is Two Ten’s professional community dedicated to empowering women in the footwear industry. It provides a platform for women to connect, learn, share information, elevate themselves, and support each other while growing their professional networks.
Jonathan Frankel, president of Aldo Product Services and current vice chair of the Two Ten Board of Directors, has been a longstanding advocate for accelerating women’s leadership in the industry. He and other Aldo leaders – including senior director of marketing Amélie Provost and vice president of Aldo Product Services Nadia Jamie Samulack, both members of the WIFI Leadership Council – continue to play an active role in shaping WIFI’s future.
The scene from a WIFI networking event in March.
Courtesy of Aldo Group
David Bensadoun, chief executive officer of the Aldo Group, added that the company’s three-year commitment is a “testament” to its “strong belief” in Two Ten and its WIFI initiative.
“Our associates have benefited greatly from the network, knowledge sharing, and mentorship WIFI affords them, so we’re proud to continue our support of this initiative and its mission that is essential to the prosperity of our industry,” Bensadoun said.
In June, the seven founding members of the WIFI advisory board received the 2025 WIFI Impact Award at Two Ten’s annual gala. The honor came in recognition of their leadership in reinvigorating the affinity group, which was first founded in 2010 by footwear veterans Carol Baiocchi and Diane Sullivan and relaunched in 2023.
FN continues to collaborate with Two Ten and WIFI on the annual Women Who Rock event, set to return next June.
