The finalists for the 2023 Wonder Women Awards have been selected having made a profound impact on the toy, licensing and entertainment industries.
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) has revealed the highly anticipated slate of finalists for the prestigious 2023 Wonder Women Awards. This esteemed recognition honours outstanding female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers, whose exceptional accomplishments have made a profound impact on the toy, licensing and entertainment industries.
Voting will be open to all WIT members, from 9th to 23rd August. Winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala, to be held on Sunday, October 1st at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, coinciding with Toy Fair New York.
“The Wonder Women Awards is a beacon of inspiration, spotlighting visionary women in our industry for their exceptional dedication and innovation,” said Ehi Oviasu-Kahn, Wonder Women Awards Committee co-chair. “These remarkable finalists represent the pinnacle of success and exemplify the spirit of excellence that drives the WIT community and our industry forward.”
“This year’s theme of Thriving Together: Celebrating Boldness, Impact and Collaboration, echoes the core values of WiT,” added Nancy Molenda, Wonder Women Awards Committee co-chair. “We celebrate these extraordinary women for their outstanding achievements, which have propelled positive change that continues to shape our industry’s landscape, and empower the next generation of leaders.”
The 2023 Wonder Women Award Finalists are:
Brand Franchise:
- Anna Songco Adamian, Crunchyroll
- Anne Marie Horne, Hasbro, Inc.
- Christine Tran, Amazon
- Jamie Sikorski, Jazwares
- Melissa Liu, Spin Master
- Melissa Rodriguez, Universal Products & Experiences
- Meredith Norrie, Mattel
Commercial Sales:
- Alexis Hoopes, Mattel
- Allyson Kalvonjian, Paramount
- Angela Filippone, Just Play
- Chelsea Stevens, Zuru
- Jessica Wichard, Jazwares
- Joy Booth, Spin Master
- Julie Thompson, Lego Systems, Inc.
- Kristen Shackleford, Amazon
- Mary Wood, Tomy International
- Refugio Lando, Hasbro, Inc.
Creative Genius:
- Carly McGinnis, Exploding Kittens
- Jamie Emmick, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company
- Joanna Delany, Mattel
- Julie Doverspike, Goliath Group
- Kristen Beam, Lego Systems, Inc.
- Lauren Killian, Jazwares
- Marlyn Palmer, Spin Master
- Melissa (Mel) Hershey, Hasbro, Inc.
- Rainey Perez, Amazon
- Ruth Balbach, Universal Products & Experiences
Designer/Inventor – Corporate:
- Allie Jennings, Hasbro, Inc.
- Doreen Fazio, Lego Systems, Inc.
- Kana Claussen, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company
- Natasha McGrath, Mattel
- Liv DeLuca, Tomy International
- Sunny Cho, Jazwares
- Vanessa Wilson, Spin Master
- 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 Products
- Sheila Gray, Sheila Gray Collection
Digital Storytelling:
- Alexandra Kavalova, Spin Master
- Allie Walker, SuperAwesome
- Amy Kelly, Lego Systems, Inc.
- Kat Marr, Zuru
- Leah Ringelstein, Zigazoo
- Sara DeWitt, PBS Kids
- Sarah Braun, Amazon
- Shenae Gill, Hasbro, Inc.
Inbound Licensing:
- Cat Caterisano, Goliath Group
- Judy Huang, Mattel
- Margaret Abroms, Spin Master
- Molly Robbins, USPA Global Licensing
- Surina Modha, Universal Products & Experiences
- Tanya Thompson, Hasbro, Inc.
Marketing:
- Amanda Moldovan, Mattel
- Francesca Sonand, Zuru
- Grace Ng, Moose Toys
- Jessica Kalichman, WowWee
- Jonelle Brown, Paramount
- Julie Gwaltney, Tomy International
- Kelly Searfoss, Jazwares
- Lauren Haxell, Hasbro, Inc.
- Stephanie Guo, Spin Master
- Taylor Beach, Amazon
Public Relations:
- Amarilis Whitty, Mattel
- Caleigh Anthony, Spin Master
- Claudia Vine, Moose Toys
- Kassandra O’Brien, ChizSix Marketing & Media
- Lauren Purnell, Universal Products & Experiences
- Libby Shearer, Zuru
- Molly Lindemann-Paolillo, Tomy International
- Molly Martin, The LegoGroup
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 International
- Madeline Boushie, Lego Systems, Inc.
- Meredith Brooks, Hasbro, Inc.
- Rakhee Ghelani, Universal Products & Experiences
- Reilly Bailey, Learning Express Toys
- Sasha Bash, Amazon
- Shabnam Elmi, Minecraft (Microsoft)
- Vanessa Raponi, Spin Master
Rising Leader (<500 employees)
- Akruti Babaria, Kulture Khazana, LLC
- Amy Bastuga, Radio Flyer
- Anna Griese, Toysmith
- Carolina Acosta, Tragos Games
- Devanshi Kejriwal, Skillmatics
- Kelly Kirk-Xu, Money Masters (Walter the Vault)
- Kim Chang, Just Play
- Lana West, Schleich USA, Inc.
- Laurie Lane, Create A Castle
- Shail Mehta, The Last Gameboard
- Tysha Brown, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company
Social Impact – Corporate:
- Crystal Miller, Mattel
- Deb Silver, Jazwares
- Emilia Hogan, Tomy International
- Fiona Hardie, Amazon
- Kara Hong, Zuru
- Kate O’Loughlin, SuperAwesome
- Nicole McGinn, Spin Master
- Pamela Krominga, Target
- Shelly Mazzanoble, Hasbro, Inc.
- Victoria Gomez, Lego Systems, Inc.
Social Impact – Independent:
- April Showers, Afro Unicorn
- Helen Townsend, Sustained Fun
- Kirsten Field, Kid Crafts, LLC
- Kusuma Reddy, Culturorama Toys
- Paige McInnis, Little Change Creators
- Dr. Zabina Bhasin, In KidZ
Click here to learn more about the 2023 Wonder Women finalists. To purchase tickets/tables, or to sponsor the Wonder Woman Awards, visit www.WomenInToys.com. Proceeds from this event help fund the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program, and critical year-round WiT programming and initiatives.
