The Canadian Toy Association (CTA) has revealed three 2023 Canadian Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductees and three 2023 Rising Star Award winners. Both accolades serve to honor excellence in the toy industry.
The CTA Hall of Fame recognizes people who have had a positive impact on the toy industry. CTA members nominate the peers that they believe contributed to the industry through their innovation, leadership, community impact, and philanthropy. Inductees Jon Levy, Paule Rancourt, and Kelly Woon will join past 49 inductees and be awarded for their contributions to the toy industry on Nov. 16 at the Hall of Fame Gala Reception and Dinner at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
Levy, Founder of Mastermind, will be inducted within the retail category. Levy crafted Mastermind into a household name, opened 11 stores by 2010, and expanded nationally to 68 stores by 2019. Now, Levy brings his passion and expertise to Spin Master.
Rancourt, Managing Director at KID Toy will be inducted under the distributor category. Rancourt started in the toy industry 40 years ago as a co-owner of a toy store in Québec. She then joined with other independent toy stores to form a buying coop, KID Toy, which is now a large distributor in Canada. Rancourt supports independent toy stores and helps keep them relevant, organizes toy shows for the Québec market, and aids smaller manufacturers.
Woon, Vice President of North America Sales at Funrise, will be inducted under the vendor category. Woon has over 30 years of toy industry experience in retail positions and leadership roles in sales and marketing. Woon has served in several roles with Toys “R” Us and worked as the Sales Director for major Canadian accounts at Nurise Sales. Woon then joined Funrise, where she aimed to build a Canadian sales team and establish the brand in the market. She has since then established Funrise as a trusted partner to consumers, licensors, and retailers.
“It is an honor and privilege to help usher in three well-deserved and respected individuals to this year’s Canadian toy industry Hall of Fame,” says Graeme Bissett, Chair of the Canadian Toy Association. “We look forward to celebrating their Canadian roots and outstanding global achievements in person on Nov. 16, 2023.”
The Rising Star Award winners will also be recognized and awarded at the Nov. 16 Gala event. The Rising Star Award recognizes top talent in the toy industry and acknowledges people whose achievements reflect growth and contributions to the industry across manufacturing, retail, and marketing.
Shannon Parsons | Source: CTA
Deborah Mulock | Source: CTA
Anisah Ahmad | Source: CTA
The winners include Anisah Ahmad, Director of Retail Strategy at Hasbro; Deborah Muhlock, Senior Brand Manager at Moose Toys; and Shannon Parsons, Lego Senior Manager.
