The Toy Association announced the 2024 board of directors and new executive committee during the annual general meeting. 

The Toy Association has announced the election of seven new members and two term renewals to its board of directors, including the election of Sharon Price John, president & CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, as chairperson. The announcement was made during The Toy Association’s annual general meeting, which was open to all toy industry stakeholders.

The meeting included updates on the ways in which the organisation is listening to, engaging with and bringing together the industry, the Association’s fight against harmful legislation and other obstacles threatening the toy and play community’s ability to get toys effectively and safely into consumers’ hands, as well as details about the upcoming LA Fall Preview and Toy Fair 2025 events.

The meeting opened with remarks from chairperson emeritus Aaron Muderick, founder & executive chair of Crazy Aaron’s, who presented the 2024 Chairperson’s Award to Steven Aarons, founder of Child’s Play Toys & Books. With the end of a successful two-year term as chairperson, Aaron will take over the role of chair of the board nominating committee and serve as a member of the chair’s advisory committee.

“We are grateful to Aaron Muderick for his leadership these past two years and dedication to protecting and promoting the collective interests of our industry,” said Andy Keimach, president & chief executive of The Toy Association. “As an inventor, entrepreneur and accomplished business owner, Aaron’s tenure has been characterised by a profound understanding of our diverse membership base and a steadfast commitment to advocating for all within the expansive toy and play community.”

“With Sharon Price John assuming the role of chairperson, we welcome an exceptional visionary whose guidance promises to steer our organisation toward continued growth and innovation,”Andy continued. “Sharon’s diverse toy background and impressive tenure at Build-A-Bear Workshop speaks volumes about her strategic acumen and leadership. Her proven track record of revitalising brands across companies and driving sustainable success will undoubtedly bolster our mission of advancing the toy and play industry.”

During the meeting, Toy Association membership elected seven new members, representing companies of all sizes, to serve terms on The Toy Association board of directors: Vish Chandran, CEO of Wild Republic, Tim Kilpin, president of toys, licensing & entertainment at Hasbro, Bryan Scott, vice president of merchandising at Target, Wes Hardin, CEO of Diverse Marketing, Max Rangel, director, global president & CEO of Spin Master, Rob Michaelis, vice president of commercialisation, parks, experiences & consumer products at The Walt Disney Company and Duncan Billing, chair of the board of advisors at Moose Toys.

Two members were elected to serve additional two-year terms: Anne Carrihill, director, general manager and category leader of toys & games at Amazon, was elected to serve a third term, and Geoffrey Greenberg, co-president of Just Play, was elected to a second term.

The Toy Association’s 2024 executive committee, elected by the board members during their winter meeting on 26th February, will include Sharon Price John as chairperson, Geoffrey Greenberg of Just Play as vice chairperson, Tim Kilpin of Hasbro as secretary-treasurer and Jared Carr of Lego Systems and Vish Chandran of Wild Republic as members at large.

“The Toy Association team, alongside our board of directors and numerous volunteer committees, is laser focused on addressing the diverse needs of members across all scales and sectors and the industry as a whole,” said Andy. “Whether they are established household brands or emerging startups and inventors, every company contributes significantly to the vitality, expansion and innovation within the toy and play community. Between our advocacy work, data-driven research and education offerings, trend reports and other strategic initiatives, we will continue to protect the industry from legislative roadblocks, deliver toys to children in need through The Toy Foundation, provide invaluable resources for navigating market complexities and champion the importance of play.”