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New York, NY — As the mobile industry continues its rapid evolution, one constant remains: women are helping lead the charge. At this year’s MGA Women of the Year Awards, set to take place on November 6 at MGS New York 25, Mobile Growth Association aims to reinforce that narrative — honoring innovation, leadership, and impact in mobile growth.
“These awards shine a spotlight on the leaders who are quietly transforming our industry and inspiring the next generation.” — Jen Laloup, CEO, Mobile Growth Association
From Vegas to NYC: A Stage for Change
Previously held in Las Vegas, the MGA Awards moved to New York this year, anchored within the two-day conference on November 5–6 at 109 West 39th Street, steps from Bryant Park. The change of venue signals more than a shift of address — it underscores the event’s ambition to be at the heart of global tech and media hubs. With the audience already including senior growth, product, and marketing leaders, the MGA Awards now align more closely with the energy and gravitas of a New York stage.
A Legacy of Recognition
The Women of the Year Awards have grown in prestige over past editions. In 2023, the “Masterminds of Progress” series celebrated women who had shaped mobile growth, from Delina Ivanova’s leadership in analytics to Corinna Reibchen’s Web3 entrepreneurship. (mobilegrowthassociation.com) In 2024, the MGA Awards expanded further — adding categories such as Best Mobile Game and Publisher of the Year, while continuing to spotlight women who combine leadership, creativity, and impact. (mobilegrowthassociation.com) Notable past winners include Katya Frolova (Rising Star), Olga Noha (Champion of Women), Caroline Hubbard (Leader of the Year), and Jane Smorodnikova (Product Leader).
“Past honorees have set the standard for what innovation, resilience, and mentorship look like in mobile growth.”
These past editions anchor credibility: they’ve shown that MGA picks aren’t token gestures, but considered acknowledgments of measurable influence in mobile growth.
What’s New for 2025
This year, MGA is opening nominations to the community. The goal: surface women whose work might otherwise remain behind the scenes. Nominations are open now and close October 10. The nomination process is free — anyone can submit a candidate.
On the evening of November 6, the awards ceremony will recognize outstanding women across categories such as rising leadership, product innovation, growth strategy, and more. The event promises to be a highlight of MGS New York 25 — not a stand-alone gala, but one integrated into the heart of the conference experience.
Why It Matters
Recognitions like the Women of the Year Awards serve several roles:
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Visibility and inspiration — In a male-dominated narrative, awards help elevate stories and role models who challenge norms.
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Network leverage — Awardees and nominees gain visibility among peers, sponsors, and decision-makers in mobile growth.
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Community building — By crowdsourcing nominations, MGA ensures the awards reflect shifts in the industry, not just legacy names.
In a domain where metrics, KPIs, and growth loops often dominate conversation, recognizing the human stories behind the numbers is crucial. The Women of the Year Awards help the community pause and celebrate individuals making lasting change.
“In a data-driven business, it’s vital to honor the people behind the breakthroughs.”
What to Watch
Over the coming weeks, MGA will roll out spotlight features and amplify the call for nominations across its channels to encourage further submissions before the October 10 deadline.
Equally important will be the awards ceremony itself. By staging the awards on November 6, MGA ensures the moment is part of the larger energy of MGS NY 25 — not an afterthought, but an integral capstone. Attendees get the dual experience of sessions by day and celebration by night.
The selection criteria are expected to focus on leadership, innovation, growth impact, mentorship, and influence across teams or ecosystems. The judging panel, drawn from industry veterans, will scrutinize both quantitative results (e.g. user growth, revenue, retention) and qualitative contributions (e.g. mentoring, internal culture shifts).
Voices from the Field
Though final nominees and winners are still months away, the achievements of past awardees set a high bar. Olga Noha, awarded Champion of Women in 2024, is known for building diverse marketing teams and advocating for inclusion. Caroline Hubbard’s recognition as Leader of the Year underscores how product leadership in growth is a key driver of organizational success.
In 2023, MGA’s “Masterminds of Progress” series featured women like Anya Stoyanova, Eden Full Goh, Janice Gao, and SuMin Park — each of whom navigated novel challenges in analytics, QA, monetization, and teaching AI. These stories show that the award community already spans founders, data scientists, marketers, and engineers equally.
Invitation to Nominate and Engage
To submit a nomination, visit the MGA form. The process is simple, open to all, and closes October 10. If you’ve ever been inspired by a colleague, peer, or mentor in mobile growth — now is the moment to lift up their story.
Even if you’re not nominating someone, you can help accelerate impact by sharing the call with your network. The strength of these awards lies in collective recognition: when more voices participate, the finalists reflect deeper talent in the industry.
As the nominations come in and the shortlist forms, expect new conversations around equity, innovation, and leadership in mobile growth. In 2025, the MGA Women of the Year Awards isn’t just another accolade — it’s a signal of how the future of mobile will evolve, driven by voices too often kept in the shadows.
Further reading:
Masterminds of Progress: Women Who Shaped the Landscape of Mobile Growth in 2023
