Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) announced Tuesday the winners of the 2022 Wonder Women Award.
The winners were announced on the first day of Women’s History Month, and also on the organization’s 30th anniversary. The annual award honors the brightest women in toys, licensing and entertainment, as an annual celebration of the industry’s remarkable thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to celebrate this incredible slate of 2022 Wonder Women Award winners and honorees,” said Janice Ross, WiT President. “This year’s expanded categories gave us the opportunity to spotlight the broad range of tremendously talented women in our industry, and the powerful impact they’re having. Out of hundreds of deserving nominees, this amazing group embodies such extraordinary excellence in leadership.”
WiT is also planning a special International Women’s Day Celebration Event on March 8 to celebrate the achievements of all women in our industry, and highlighting WiT’s 2022 Wonder Women Award Winners and Honorees.
“Heartfelt congratulations to each of this year’s remarkable Wonder Women Award recipients!” added Wonder Women Awards Co-Chairs, Genna Rosenberg and Jennifer Caveza. “While we wish our celebration happened in person in New York, we look forward to celebrating our winners and honorees with the WiT community and our industry all throughout the month of March. There’s no better way to celebrate Women’s History Month!”
The full list of 2022 Wonder Women Award Winners is below, with winners listed by Category:
- Designer / Inventor – Kenna O’Brien, Senior Manager, Product Design – Barbie – Mattel
- Licensee / Manufacturer – Amanda Bright, Senior Director, Product Development – Spin Master
- Licensor / Entertainment – Jes Wolfe, CEO – Rebel Girls
- Marketing / PR – Arlene Biran, SVP, US Marketing – Spin Master
- Social Good – Sarah Knott, Manager, Global Philanthropy and Social Impact – Hasbro
- Covid Hero – The LEGO Group
- Deal Maker – Paula Kupfer, Senior Director, Global Partnerships – Hasbro
- Storyteller – Azhelle Wade, CEO – The Toy Coach
- Unsung Hero – Maggie Snow, Senior Director & Associate General Counsel – Mattel
- Wonder Girl – Alaya High, Artist (That Girl Lay Lay) – Paramount
- Rising Star – Deal Maker – Brittany Oliver, Senior Commercial Lead – ZURU Toys
- Rising Star – Designer/Inventor – Vanessa Fung, Senior Designer, Toys & Hardlines – Universal Brand Development
- Rising Star – Licensee / Manufacturer – Dr. Lisa Williams, CEO & Founder – The World of EPI
- Rising Star – Licensor / Entertainment – Tiffany Suzuki, Licensing Manager – Crunchyroll
- Rising Star – Marketing / PR – Sakita Withers, Brand Manager – PlayMonster
- Rising Star – Social Good – Penny Bauder, Founder & CEO – Green Kid Crafts
- Rising Star – Storyteller – Rupa Parekh, Founder & CEO – Umani Studio
- Rising Star – Unsung Hero – Amanda Marschall, Training Manager – The LEGO Group
The 2022 Wonder Women Award Honorees Are:
- Retailer of the Year – Amazon / Anne Carrihill – Amazon
- Icon Award – JoJo Siwa – Paramount
- Changemaker Award – Steven Wolfe Periera – Encantos
- Link to 2022 WiT Wonder Women WINNERS Graphic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TA-jz0ts2vH2TtoOYhHEVZitFMvZVOlo/view
- Link to 2022 WiT Wonder Women HONOREES Graphic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LmpYg9d_ViQ-G7Etc_UNXAUaP20DBiqy/view