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Jodi Bondi Norgaard      

Founder of Dream Big Toy Company & Creator of Go! Go! Sports Girls; Author of "More Than A Doll"

Jodi Bondi Norgaard is a keynote speaker, author, entrepreneur, feminist advocate, consultant, and an expert in creating change and breaking gender stereotypes. She is the author of More Than A Doll: How Creating A Sports Doll Turned into a Fight to End Gender Stereotypes (Post Hill Press, January 21, 2025), which connects the dots from sexualized dolls, to the subtle damage inflicted on girls’ confidence, to implicit biases we hold about gender, to decisions we make as adults that prevent true gender equity.

Norgaard is the founder of Dream Big Toy Company and the creator of the award-winning Go! Go! Sports Girls line of dolls, books, and apps for girls encouraging healthy and active play over beauty and body image. She has been breaking gender stereotypes since 2009 when she launched the plush sports dolls built-in specification to a real girl's body. Her inspiration came in 2007 after shopping for a doll with her then 9-year-old daughter and finding a doll with belly-baring clothing, high heels, and make-up, named 'Lovely Lola.' Initially, industry leaders dismissed her product because a sports doll was not mainstream. “Girls want fashion dolls,” she heard, over and over. She was not convinced and knew mainstream ideas never create change. By 2015, she had made significant strides and her product was launched in Walmart stores. In October 2016, the Go! Go! Sports Girls brand was acquired by Jazwares, an established cutting-edge toy company.

As a toy industry thought leader, Norgaard was invited by the White House under the Obama administration to participate in conferences on breaking down gender stereotypes in media and toys. She currently serves on the White House Gender Policy Council collaborating on policy as it relates to children’s toys, content, and publishing.

In 2023, she worked with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media on a groundbreaking report, Equal Play? Analyzing Gender Stereotypes, Diversity, and Inclusion in Advertising and Marketing of Toys. She is a DEIB consultant specializing in gender equality and spearheaded and co-chaired the first Toy Association DEIB Committee to expand play.

Norgaard is a contributor to Ms. Magazine. She has been featured on national media including The Today Show, The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson, Forbes, Upworthy, Parents, Shape, Self, Runner’s World, Advertising Age, Good Housekeeping, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and Huffington Post. In 2016, she was named by Women’s Running as one of 20 Women Who Are Changing the Sport of Running and the World.

As a public speaker and TEDx speaker, Norgaard presents to corporations, women’s groups, conferences, universities and more. She shares her passion for social impact with audiences and illustrates how strong values can change an industry, even the world. She encourages individuals to think with an innovative and problem solving approach and to persist through adversity.

Speech Topics

Persistence: The Power to Create Change

In this presentation, Jodi shares her “aha moment” and discusses what she never anticipated while launching a socially responsible product; the long road ahead of her, the hard battle she would fight and learning that her persistence, determination, and passion would serve her well. Jodi knows you don’t need to be a genius, have unlimited resources, or a giant team to create change and she encourages participants to take their best idea, step over fear, find courage, tap into their passion and persist when it becomes difficult.

Women Leading the Way: On A Mission to Create Change

In this powerful presentation, Jodi speaks on the value and benefit of women supporting women in business and in life. She brings awareness to the stereotypes imposed upon women and the steps needed to eliminate them from our culture, so women can rise together. She shares her entrepreneurial experience and the mentors who helped her succeed through guidance, kindness, and support. Jodi offers strategies for women to get behind each other and provides examples of what the power of being a woman really looks like.

Beyond Mainstream: Creating Change with a Mission-Driven Company

Hear Jodi’s entrepreneurial journey of challenging the status quo, achieving goals, and becoming a leader in breaking gender stereotypes. In this presentation, Jodi discusses how to market for social good and the necessary combination of passion, determination, perseverance and grit needed to create change while running a successful business. Initially industry leaders dismissed her product because a sports doll was not mainstream. “Girls want fashion dolls,” she heard, over and over. Jodi was not convinced and knew mainstream ideas never create change. By 2015, she made significant strides and her product was launched in Walmart stores.

The Importance of Empowering Girls: If She Can See It, She Can Be It

In this presentation Jodi empowers girls to realize their full potential. Research shows interests, ambitions, and skills can be shaped early on by media and toys, influencing everything from subjects they choose to study to the careers they ultimately pursue. Jodi inspires girls to break free from stereotypes and embrace their unique strengths and assertiveness.

The Power of STEAM: Bringing an Idea to Life

​What does STEAM have to do with creating a business? Everything! Jodi encourages participants to develop their talents, build their knowledge, and pursue their passions without limits. From rough draft to a finished product, Jodi speaks on the importance of science, technology, engineering, art and math and how they were instrumental in creating the Go! Go! Sports Girls dolls. This topic allows audiences to understand what STEAM can look like outside the classroom.

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