Ladies in Toys, Licensing, and Leisure (WiT) has formally revealed its lineup of finalists for the 2023 Wonder Women Awards.
“This yr’s theme of Thriving Collectively: Celebrating Boldness, Affect and Collaboration, echoes the core values of WiT,” says Nancy Molenda, Surprise Ladies Awards Committee Co-Chair. “We have fun these extraordinary ladies for his or her excellent achievements, which have propelled optimistic change that continues to form our trade’s panorama, and empower the subsequent technology of leaders.”
The lineup consists of feminine executives, entrepreneurs, changemakers, and different leaders within the trade.
“The Surprise Ladies Awards is a beacon of inspiration, spotlighting visionary ladies in our trade for his or her distinctive dedication and innovation,” says Ehi Oviasu-Kahn, Surprise Ladies Awards Committee Co-Chair. “These exceptional finalists characterize the top of success and exemplify the spirit of excellence that drives the WiT neighborhood and our trade ahead.”
Voting shall be open for all WiT members from Aug. 9-23. Winners shall be introduced on the Surprise Ladies Awards Gala on Oct. 1 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, throughout Toy Fair in New York. For tickets to the occasion, go to womenintoys.com.
The finalists for every class embrace:
BRAND FRANCHISE
Anna Songco Adamian, Crunchyroll
Anne Marie Horne, Hasbro
Christine Tran, Amazon
Jamie Sikorski, Jazwares
Melissa Liu, Spin Grasp
Melissa Rodriguez, Common Merchandise & Experiences
Meredith Norrie, Mattel
COMMERCIAL SALES
Alexis Hoopes, Mattel
Allyson Kalvonjian, Paramount
Angela Filippone, Simply Play
Chelsea Stevens, ZURU
Jessica Wichard, Jazwares
Pleasure Sales space, Spin Grasp
Julie Thompson, LEGO Methods
Kristen Shackleford, Amazon
Mary Wooden, TOMY Worldwide
Refugio Lando, Hasbro
CREATIVE GENIUS
Carly McGinnis, Exploding Kittens
Jamie Emmick, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Firm
Joanna Delany, Mattel
Julie Doverspike, Goliath Group
Kristen Beam, LEGO Methods
Lauren Killian, Jazwares
Marlyn Palmer, Spin Grasp
Melissa (Mel) Hershey, Hasbro
Rainey Perez, Amazon
Ruth Balbach, Common Merchandise & Experiences
DESIGNER/INVENTOR – CORPORATE
Allie Jennings, Hasbro
Doreen Fazio, LEGO Methods
Kana Claussen, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Firm
Natasha McGrath, Mattel
Liv DeLuca, TOMY Worldwide
Sunny Cho, Jazwares
Vanessa Wilson, Spin Grasp
Wendi Wing, Moose Toys
DESIGNER/INVENTOR – INDEPENDENT
April Mitchell, 4A’s Creations
Britney Crowell, CurlCap
Elenor Mak, Jilly Bing
Lauren Cecchi, Signables
Marina Khidekel, Hugimals World
Melody Hsieh-Hornstra, Mobo Cruisers, ASA Merchandise
Sheila Grey, Sheila Grey Assortment
DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Alexandra Kavalova, Spin Grasp
Allie Walker, SuperAwesome
Amy Kelly, LEGO Methods
Kat Marr, ZURU
Leah Ringelstein, Zigazoo
Sara DeWitt, PBS Children
Sarah Braun, Amazon
Shanae Gill, Hasbro
INBOUND LICENSING
Cat Caterisano, Goliath Group
Judy Huang, Mattel
Margaret Abroms, Spin Grasp
Molly Robbins, USPA International Licensing
Surina Modha, Common Merchandise & Experiences
Tanya Thompson, Hasbro
MARKETING
Amanda Moldovan, Mattel
Francesca Sonand, ZURU
Grace Ng, Moose Toys
Jessica Kalichman, WowWee
Jonelle Brown, Paramount
Julie Gwaltney, TOMY Worldwide
Kelly Searfoss, Jazwares
Lauren Haxell, Hasbro
Stephanie Guo, Spin Grasp
Taylor Seashore, Amazon
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Amarilis Whitty, Mattel
Caleigh Anthony, Spin Grasp
Claudia Vine, Moose Toys
Kassandra O’Brien, ChizSix Advertising & Media
Lauren Purnell, Common Merchandise & Experiences
Libby Shearer, ZURU
Molly Lindemann-Paolillo, TOMY Worldwide
Molly Martin, The LEGO Group
RISING LEADER (>500 EMPLOYEES)
Adeline Trento, Toys”R”Us at Macy’s
Alysha Curtis, Moose Toys
Angela Beck, Mattel
Elizabeth McFarlane, Paramount
Irene Li, ZURU
Lorena Montalvo, TOMY Worldwide
Madeline Boushie, LEGO Methods
Meredith Brooks, Hasbro
Rakhee Ghelani, Common Merchandise & Experiences
Reilly Bailey, Studying Specific Toys
Sasha Bash, Amazon
Shabnam Elmi, Minecraft (Microsoft)
Vanessa Raponi, Spin Grasp
RISING LEADER (<500 EMPLOYEES)
Akruti Babaria, Kulture Khazana
Amy Bastuga, Radio Flyer
Anna Griese, Toysmith
Carolina Acosta, Tragos Video games
Devanshi Kejriwal, Skillmatics
Kelly Kirk-Xu, Cash Masters (Walter the Vault)
Kim Chang, Simply Play
Lana West, Schleich USA
Laurie Lane, Create A Citadel
Shail Mehta, The Final Gameboard
Tysha Brown, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Firm
SOCIAL IMPACT – CORPORATE
Crystal Miller, Mattel
Deb Silver, Jazwares
Emilia Hogan, TOMY Worldwide
Fiona Hardie, Amazon
Kara Hong, ZURU
Kate O’Loughlin, SuperAwesome
Nicole McGinn, Spin Grasp
Pamela Krominga, Goal
Shelly Mazzanoble, Hasbro
Victoria Gomez, LEGO Methods
SOCIAL IMPACT – INDEPENDENT
April Showers, Afro Unicorn
Helen Townsend, Sustained Enjoyable
Kirsten Subject, Child Crafts
Kusuma Reddy, Culturorama Toys
Paige McInnis, Little Change Creators
Dr. Zabina Bhasin, In KidZ
