By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) has just presented the list of finalists for this year’s Wonder Women Awards.
WiT is the industry’s leading organization for the advancement of women in our industry. The Wonder Women Awards are an important part of that work, as they recognize and celebrate the exceptional female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers whose remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the sector.
This year’s theme, Celebrating Wonder Women Everywhere’, pays tribute to the trailblazing women who not only inspire and lead throughout our industry, but also uplift the talent and contributions of those around them.
This year’s awards will also be getting some Hollywood glitz and glamor as WiT literally rolls out the red carpet in LA at the Beverly Hilton, which has hosted the Golden Globes since 1961.
In a joint statement, Wonder Women Co-Chairs Ehi Oviasu-Kahn and Nancy Molenda said, “We are incredibly proud to celebrate this year’s outstanding finalists. Each nominee embodies a commitment to teamwork, innovative thinking, and visionary leadership, reflecting the spirit of excellence that drives the WiT community and advances our industry.”
Voting is open to all WiT members from July 15 through Aug. 2. The winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala Sept. 13.
For more information, or if you’d like to purchase tables or individual tickets, visit https://www.womenintoys.com/wonder-woman-awards
See below for the complete list of finalists for the 2024 Wonder Women Awards.
ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE
Alena Niu, Mattel
Genna Rosenberg, GennComm, GoodWorksXGennComm & GennComm ImaGENNation
Kendra Vaughan, Exploding Kittens
Lissa Alberto-Calma, The LEGO Group
BRAND EXCELLENCE
Alicia Crespin, Mattel
Chelsea Stevens, ZURU
The Furby Development Team, Hasbro, Inc.
Logan Stone, Moose Toys
Melissa Martyn, Universal Products & Experiences
Sara DeWitt, PBS Kids
Sarah Melnick, The LEGO Group
BRAND FRANCHISE
Aimee London, Mattel
Alyse D’Antuono, Hasbro, Inc.
Anna Songco Adamian, Crunchyroll
Annie Chen, Paramount
Birgitte Bülow, Bezzerwizzer Studio / Asmodee
Christine Tran, Amazon
Divya Dalal, Disney Consumer Products
Karen Eggleston, Jazwares
Katie Pullen, Universal Products & Experiences
Michelle Fode, Disney Consumer Products
Trish Garrett, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America, Inc.
COMMERCIAL SALES
Amazon Hasbro Commercial Sales Team, Hasbro, Inc.
Elizabeth Kong and Kelly Bloom, Jazwares
Fiona Hardie, Amazon
Karen Neyen, TOMY International
Kelly Harrison, The LEGO Group
Kylie Whitehead, Toysmith
Michelle Hoffman, Moose Toys
Pamela Velarde, Mattel
Sindy Gouilloud Arrais, ZURU France
DESIGNER/INVENTOR – CORPORATE
Anthea Rodgers, Jazwares
Carol Mertz, Exploding Kittens
Chandra Hicks, Mattel
Claudia D. Sandoval, Melissa & Doug
Danwei Lando, Paramount
Jessica Livingston, Spin Master
Julie Borchert, Universal Products & Services
Melissa Jones, Hasbro, Inc.
Pat Chiang, Just Play
Shaun Shishido, Disney Parks, Experiences & Products
Tori Salvaggio, Moose Toys
Wendy Huang, ZURU DESIGNER/INVENTOR – SMALL BUSINESS / ENTREPRENEUR
Anquisha Crutcher, To Grandma's House I Go, LLC
Donna Fasano, The Owl & The Hourglass Word Game Puzzles
Gayle Keller, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, LLC
Natalie Delaney-John, That Sound Game
Natalie Sabri, Dough Parlour
Sally Connolly, Napa Valley Toys USA LLC
Wendy Bryan Lazar, I Heart Guts Original Plush Organs
DIGITAL INNOVATOR
Aimee Garbett, The LEGO Group
Lauren Bath, EXG Pro
Lilly Briger, Mattel
Linda E. Hansel, TOMY International
Monika Sharma, Paramount
Olesia Aulova, ZURU
Sarah Braun, Amazon
DIGITAL STORYTELLER
Alana Blumenstein, KidsRead2Kids
Amanda Cioletti, Informa Markets
Cushla Henry, ZURU
Juliana Scaff Fontanella, The LEGO Group
Liz Maglione, Mattel
Mia Khoury, Hasbro, Inc.
INBOUND LICENSING
Alison Carroll, Mattel
Dana Koc, Just Play
Jessica Vivolo, Jazwares
Kyle Harrison, ZURU
Laura Henderson, Spin Master
Rebecca Aghakhan Shepard, Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro, Inc.
LICENSING AGENT / AGENCY
Andi Scher, Mix Licensing Group
Jennifer Case, Flynn Collective
Michelle McLaughlin, Brand Activation Consulting
Molly Robbins, USPA Global / U.S. Polo Association
MARKETING
Danni Loe, Flat River Group
Francesca Sonand, ZURU
Holly Dabiew Myhre, Hasbro, Inc,
Jen Wulfekuhle, TOMY International
Julia Maher, Mattel
Kristina Kronberg, Jazwares
Lucy Bullock, Moose Toys
Mathilde LeBorgne, Informa Markets
Meghan Gamboa, Ageless Innovation
Sarah Milik Dannenbaum, Paramount
Ying Tarantino, The LEGO Group
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
Belinda Gruebner, Moose Toys
Bri Lovett, Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro, Inc.
Carol Blumenstein, KidsRead2Kids
Coco Chan, ZURU
Dawn Till, Toysmith
Julie Gwaltney, TOMY International
Tiffani Magri, Mattel
PR EXCELLENCE
Crystal Flynn, Hasbro, Inc.
Molly Quiring, Universal Products & Experiences
Niki Kazakos, Mattel
Tiffany Kayar, Informa Markets North America
Zebra Partners
RISING LEADER <500 EMPLOYEES
Helena Perheentupa, StrateDoo
Jennifer Schubert, Go! Retail Group
Jenny Lorton, Toysmith
Kellee Vopelak, Exploding Kittens
Michelle Weber, Toy’n Around
RISING LEADER >500 EMPLOYEES
Becca Griffin, Hasbro, Inc.
Megan Startz, Universal Products & Experiences
Mina Azizi, Mattel
Nastya Xu, ZURU
Sasha Bash, Amazon
Sonia Singh, Spin Master
Tereza Koudelkova, The LEGO Group
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER OF THE YEAR
Alondra Carbajal, Blank Tag Co. Stickers
Anita Grant, Hello Hair
Brea Brand, CONNETIX
Camille Jasson, That Sound Game
Carla Schneider, WubbaNub
Helen Smith, Roo & You
Taylor Herndon, Board to Beers
SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE
Emilie Stinson Nosovic, The LEGO Group
Sofia Dumery, Melissa & Doug
UNSUNG HERO <500 EMPLOYEES
Allie Wachter, Just Play
Carrie Dash, Toysmith
Julie Fenwick, EXG Pro
Kiana Sheldon, Roo & You
Kimberly Carcone, The Toy Association
Morgan Renken, Entertainment Earth
UNSUNG HERO >500 EMPLOYEES
Alice Hines, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America, Inc.
Anna Dooley, TOMY International
Brittney Butler, The LEGO Group
Caitlin Riley, Universal Products & Experiences
Dana Rotz, Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro, Inc.
Daria Licausi, Mattel
Francesca Noh, Jazwares
Jill Iannella, Melissa & Doug
Jo Major, Moose Toys
Josephine Rotolo, Paramount Global
Kristine Hilliard, Amazon
Marjolein Lubberman, Asmodee
Susan Abraham, Spin Master
Vedika Agrawal, ZURU