The Effies and Lions organizations, both owned by Ascential, have unveiled the Effies Lions Foundation, whose mission is to connect marketing students with brands and agencies. 

The Foundation is anchored by the Effie Collegiate program and a number of educational tools provided by the Lions organization including Lions Learning and Lions Intelligence. 

The Foundation is led by Allison Knapp Womack as CEO. Previously she was Chief Operating Officer at Effies Worldwide and earlier in her career served at Doremus and Ogilvy. 

“The Effie Lions Foundation exists to open doors and create opportunities—for the students who’ve never imagined a place for themselves in marketing, and for the industry that urgently needs their ideas, perspectives, and creativity, stated Womack. “We believe that is the path to a more effective industry, and we’re here to make that future possible.” 

Jae Goodman, CEO of Superconductor Studios, serves as board chair, a role he also continues to hold at Effie Worldwide.  

Ascential acquired Effie Worldwide last year and placed it within its Lions Division which includes Cannes Lions, WARC and other units.