The spotlight is on! Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) has unveiled the finalists for the 2025 Wonder Women Awards, a powerhouse lineup of innovators, creators, and changemakers who are shaping the future of play and beyond.
This year’s celebration will take place on Thursday, Sept. 11, at the iconic Beverly Hilton. The theme is “All That Glitters Is Truly Gold,” a nod to the brilliance each finalist brings to the table every day.
The evening will also honor Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris, with the prestigious WiT Vanguard Award. Rogers has reimagined one of the most iconic video game brands into a global lifestyle juggernaut, expanding into fashion, entertainment, and consumer products with purpose-driven leadership and an eye toward inclusion and innovation.
“The Wonder Women Awards is a reminder that our greatest strength lies in how we uplift and celebrate one another,” say Co-Chairs Nancy Molenda and Deirdre Cross. “This year’s finalists and our honoree Maya Rogers are shaping the future with bold vision, inclusive leadership, and a deep commitment to community. We’re honored to recognize their extraordinary impact.”
And the finalists are:
BRAND FRANCHISE
- Anna Songco Adamian, Crunchyroll
- Esra Cafer & Kristin McKay, Hasbro
- Jamie Drew, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences
- Laura Henderson, Spin Master
- Maddie Boushie, LEGO Systems
- Melissa Rodriguez, Universal Products & Experiences
- Ruth Henriquez, Mattel
- Suzy Lee Raia, BBC Studios
- Taryn Johnson, Disney Consumer Products
CATALYST FOR CHANGE (UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES)
- Dr. Amanda Gummer, Fundamentally Children
- Genna Rosenberg, GennComm
- Juliana VanLaanen, 2MamaBees
- Katie Goldstein, SuperAwesome
- Lisa Boatman, Exploding Kittens
- Nana Bouwens, Tears R us
- Rachele Harmuth, MESH Helps and CrunchLabs
CATALYST FOR CHANGE (OVER 500 EMPLOYEES)
- Alex Yee, Disney
- Arianna Ryan, Asmodee
- Carolina Giuga, LEGO Systems
- Kate Zahra, Moose Toys
COMMERCIAL EXCELLENCE
- Amy Sullivan, Cloudco Entertainment
- Ashley Emig, Melissa & Doug, Spin Master
- Carrie Mueller, VTech Electronics North America
- Celica Costantino, Ageless Innovation
- Chelsea Wood, Relatable
- Daniela Cavinatto, LEGO Systems
- Emily Maclennan, Moose Toys
- Fiona Hardie, Amazon
- Holly Sestak, Disney
- Lauren Adelsberger Harmer and Megan Fenningham, Jazwares
- Megan Sapin, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America
- Sara Humphreys, Hasbro
- Tara Gartman, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences
- Tara George, Mattel
- Tracy Rapose, Just Play
DESIGNER/INVENTOR – CORPORATE
- Audrey Freda Tam, Moose Toys
- Brianna “Bree” Woodward, Asmodee
- Danielle Gleason, CrunchLabs
- Emma Peat, Spin Master
- Harmony Hines-Slattery, Disney Parks
- Jihye Kim, Just Play
- Kate Fakonas, Hasbro
- Mari Sunderland, LeapFrog Global/VTech
- Michele Adamsen, Playmates Toys
- Miya Kim, Jazwares
- Rebecca Shipman, Mattel
- Stephanie Kraus, Universal Products & Experiences
- Sung Park, Disney Licensing
DESIGNER/INVENTOR – SMALL BUSINESS / ENTREPRENEUR
- April Mitchell, 4A’s Creations
- Carla Schneider, WubbaNub
- Ellie Dix, The Dark Imp
- Morgan Uhl, Knobēz
- Sally Connolly, Napa Valley Toys USA
- Serena Fadlun
DIGITAL INNOVATOR
- Amanda Muller, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences
- Christine Tran, Amazon
- Daisy Ritz, Exploding Kittens
- Jess Kirkman, Mattel
- Katherine Schober, Jazwares
- Lindsey Pitts, LEGO Systems
- Marjory Laymon, Hasbro
- Ray Billings, The Op Games
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LEADER
- Aditi Mittal, Amazon
- Carrie Buse, Mattel
- Deborah Stallings Stumm, FUNfluential
- Hannah Grant, SuperAwesome
- Kristin Size, LEGO Systems
INBOUND LICENSING
- Amy Jarashow, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences
- Charlotte Payne, Cloudco Entertainment
- Donyelle Evans, Mattel
- Hollie Holmes, Moose Toys
- Kathleen Lin Wo, LEGO Systems
- Kathryn Hardy, Just Play
- Marianne James, Hasbro
LICENSING AGENT / AGENCY
- Carla Silva, King Features – a unit of Hearst
- Heidi Schwartz, Universal Branding & Media
- Laurie Smith, The Brand Liaison
MARKETING VISIONARY
- Audrey Cao, The Woobles
- Elizabeth Ing, Entertainment Earth
- Estelle Vareilles, Asmodee
- Georgia Manolas Walker, Playmates Toys
- Holly Koval, Spin Master
- Jillian Schumacher, Brotherwise Games
- Julie Poulter, Moose Toys
- Karen Balduf, VTech Electronics North America
- Katie Buford, Mattel
- Kelly Ryan, Amazon
- Kristeen Tibbits, Cloudco Entertainment
- Meghan Quinn, Just Play
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
- Alysha Curtis, Moose Toys
- Jessica Schultz, Just Play
- Jill Strain, LEGO Systems
- Karen Branson, Relatable
- Laura Christy, Jazwares
- Morgan Renken, Entertainment Earth
- Tal Schrieber, Spin Master
PR EXCELLENCE
- Caleigh Anthony, Spin Master
- Elisa Martinez, Mattel
- Elizabeth Foster, Licensing International
- Lucy Silag, Amazon
- Rachel Sandler, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences
- Sara Rosales Montalvo, Jazwares
RISING LEADER (UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES)
- Audrey Torrence, Basic Fun!
- Berit Ginsberg, King Features – a unit of Hearst
- Haley Hinshaw, CrunchLabs
- Joyce Sprau, Creata (USA)
- Kellee Vopelak, Exploding Kittens
- Liz Starry, Relatable
- Michelle Hawthorn, Born To Play
RISING LEADER (OVER 500 EMPLOYEES)
- Angie Oung, Moose Toys
- Catherine Sutherland, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences
- Deborah Strumpf, Mattel
- Elaine Chase, Ravensburger
- Jackeline Gonzalez, Universal Products & Experiences
- Jayme Thompson, Just Play
- Jennifer Nelson, LEGO Systems
- Megan Margolis, Hasbro
- Minna Seifert, Spin Master
- Serina Fignole, Jazwares
- Taylor Mason, Amazon
- Tiffany Lavery, VTech Electronics North America
SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
- Brea Brand, CONNETIX
- Heather O’Neill, 9th Level Games
- Helen Smith, Roo & You
- Justine Tiu, The Woobles
- Kusuma Reddy, The Culturorama
- Macy Schmidt, Overture Global Entertainment
- Marjorie Spitalnik, Little Rebels
- Rachel Neill, Figgy
UNSUNG HERO (UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES)
- Aly Ard, CrunchLabs
- Amy Baker, Exploding Kittens
- Ashlee Virtue, Relatable
- Cheyanne Huke, Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld
- Christina Smith, Miniature Market
- Gabi Mattinson, Cloudco Entertainment
- Helen Xu, The Woobles
- Maria Ungaro, Licensing International
UNSUNG HERO (OVER 500 EMPLOYEES)
- Cameron Brown, Amazon
- Céline Bucki, Asmodee
- Kathy Casey, Mattel
- Katie Generazio, Hasbro
- Keren Globus, Jazwares
- Libby Birch, Moose Toys
- Stephanie Fischer, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America
- Stephanie North, Just Play
- Tina Colantuono, LEGO Systems
WIT CHAMPION
- Gabby Diaz, LEGO Systems
- Julien Sharp, Asmodee
- Robin Darling, Mattel
- Stacy Lewis, StacyLoo
- Stacy Liebensohn, The Toy Association
Voting opens to WiT members on July 14 and runs through Aug. 1. Winners will be revealed live at the gala. For tickets and more info, visit womenintoys.com.
