Women In Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Announces 2024 Wonder Women Awards Finalists

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) has announced the finalists for the 2024 Wonder Women Awards.

Each year, these awards recognize and celebrate the exceptional female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers whose remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the licensing industry.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Wonder Women Everywhere,” pays tribute to the trailblazing women who not only inspire and lead throughout the industry, but also uplift the talent and contributions of those around them.

The list of finalists includes three members of the Global Licensing Group, the team behind License Global, Licensing Expo and Brand Licensing Europe, including License Global’s vice president, content and strategy, Amanda Cioletti in the Digital Storytelling category. Also nominated are Mathilde Le Borgne, marketing director, Global Licensing Group, in the Marketing category and Tiffany Kayar director, public relations, North America, Informa Markets, in the PR Excellence category.

To amplify the celebration, WiT is rolling out the red carpet in Los Angeles, adding a touch of Hollywood glitz and glamour at The Beverly Hilton.

"We are incredibly proud to celebrate this year's outstanding finalists," say Ehi Oviasu-Kahn and Nancy Molenda, co-chairs, Wonder Women, in a joint statement. "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 will be open to all WiT members, from July 15 to Aug. 2. Winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala on Sept. 13.

2024 Wonder Women Awards Finalists

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 & 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, License Global, 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