Anaheim, CA – March 19, 2025 – WAVIT (Women in AV/IT) proudly announces the establishment of the Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future. This annual scholarship honors the late Mary Cook, a trailblazer who was instrumental in supporting women in AV/IT and a passionate advocate for advancing inclusion and mentorship within the industry.
Mary Cook’s AV legacy began in 1991, later she would go on to co-found local AVIXA Women’s Council groups in Atlanta and Michigan. Her commitment to empowering women and championing their professional growth earned her a place in the SCN Hall of Fame at InfoComm in 2017. WAVIT’s scholarship initiative is a tribute to her enduring impact and dedication to helping women thrive in field.
To support the scholarship program, AVIXA has created a full InfoComm experience, which will bring recipients to the U.S. trade show to explore pro AV solutions, education, and networking opportunities.
“Mary was devoted to making tangible and lasting contributions to the AV industry and supporting women to develop their careers. She brought her technical expertise to her service on AVIXA’s Standards Steering Committee and was a very early driver of the AVIXA Women’s Council, where she was a strong supporter and advocate for women to pursue their CTS certifications,” said Sarah Joyce, Chief Global Officer, AVIXA. “We’re honored to collaborate with WAVIT and NV5 to create this scholarship in Mary’s name to help women continue to be supported and excel in our industry.”
As a founding sponsor, NV5 plays a vital role in establishing this scholarship. Their contribution will directly support the recipient’s development and provide mentorship opportunities.
“Mary Cook’s contributions to the AV/IT industry continue to inspire us,” said Kelly Stumpf, PMP and Principal Consultant of NV5. “By supporting this scholarship, NV5 is honored to uphold Mary’s legacy and foster the next generation of women leaders in AV/IT. We believe this program will help propel careers and promote the spirit that Mary championed.”
The Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future scholarship will provide invaluable opportunities for women in their early career stages, focusing on AV system design and audio/visual environments. Key benefits include:
- Full InfoComm Experience: Recipients will receive a comprehensive InfoComm tradeshow package, including full-show passes, education pass, travel, and lodging.
- Membership Opportunities: Scholarship recipients will gain WAVIT membership, AVIXA membership, and access to WAVIT’s Mentorship Program.
- Mentorship: Recipients will participate in WAVIT’s mentorship program, with potential mentorship from NV5, fostering growth and industry connections.
Scholarship Selection Process WAVIT has formed a dedicated scholarship committee to establish criteria, review applications, and recommend finalists. Candidates will:
- Be women in their early career stages (2 years or less of experience).
- Show a commitment to AV system design and AEC fields.
- Be U.S. or Canada-based.
- Aspire to create innovative audio/visual environments.
Applications are open now, and close April 18th, 2025. The recipient will be announced on May 2, 2025, with the scholarship culminating in a memorable experience at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, FL (June 7-13).
Promoting Mary Cook’s Legacy To celebrate Mary Cook’s contributions, WAVIT will:
- Launch promotional campaigns across social media and other industry platforms.
- Distribute memorial wristbands at InfoComm in Orlando, FL.
- Collaborate with industry associations to honor Mary’s legacy during their events.
“Mary Cook exemplified what it means to uplift and inspire others,” said WAVIT Founder, Brandy Alvarado-Miranda. “Through this scholarship, we aim to continue her mission of empowering women and advancing the AV/IT industry.”
For more information or to submit your application form, please visit WAVIT’s website.
About WAVIT, Inc.
WAVIT is a 501(c)(3) organization created by and for women in the AV/IT industries. Our goal is to provide a network that supports and empowers women through education, representation, and inclusion. We know that ripples make waves, and to grow our equity, we must support women in any way that makes them feel safer, more comfortable, and more confident. It all starts with a ripple. We encourage women to be fierce, bold… and make waves! womeninavit.org.
Media Contact
Brandy Alvarado-Miranda
BAM Marketing & PR Agency
[email protected]
