The Toy Association elected four new members and four term renewals to the Board of Directors at its annual general meeting last week. Held during the 119th Toy Fair, the meeting was open to all Toy Association members and Toy Fair attendees.
The new Board of Directors members include Erica Buxton, CEO of Razor USA; Jason Larian, President of MGA Studios; Mark McColgan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of USA Commercial at Mattel; and Melvin Wells, CEO of Sunny Days Entertainment.
“I am deeply committed to the toy industry’s broader mission of inspiring play and fostering creativity,” said Wells. “I believe in the importance of collaboration and advocacy to address industry challenges, including shifting consumer behavior, supply chain complexities, and sustainability initiatives.”
Four members were elected to serve additional two-year terms: Zabina Kaur Bhasin, M.D., CEO and Founder of In KidZ; Jared Carr, Senior Vice President and U.S. General Manager of LEGO; and Jeremy Padawer, Chief Brand Officer at Jazwares, were elected to serve second terms. Ashley Mady, President of Zigazoo Kids, was elected to a third term. Association board members are elected for two-year terms and may be nominated for re-election twice before being required to depart the board.
The meeting opened with Sharon Price John, Chairperson of the Toy Association Board of Directors and President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop.
“Throughout 2024, The Toy Association achieved significant milestones, advancing its mission to be in service of its members and the industry. From expanding opportunities for members by bringing People of Play into its network to successfully launching the first-ever Los Angeles Fall Preview marketplace in conjunction with securing the new Toy Building in El Segundo, opening this August with Fall Market Weeks taking place in September, The Toy Association continues to evolve to better serve the industry,” she said. “And Toy Fair New York continues to maintain its iconic status as the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere, with tens of thousands of global buyers, sellers, trade guests, and media currently in New York City to do business, forge partnerships, and engage in opportunities to network and learn from leading thinkers in the toy, play, and children’s entertainment space.”
President and CEO Greg Ahearn provided a brief overview of the three-year action plan for The Toy Association. The plan will meet the needs of its members and fund playroom projects at 23 hospitals nationwide in 2025; last year, The Toy Association created the Tariff Task Force and Steering Committee to advocate at every level for toy exclusions from blanket tariffs, launched an Ethical Supply Chain Program to support members’ compliance needs. Through its philanthropic arm, The Toy Foundation, it delivered $35.5 million worth of toys to 3 million children while providing immediate disaster relief for families affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton and the LA wildfires.
“From the largest household names to entrepreneurial startups and independent inventors, every company plays a vital role in driving innovation, growth, and success in the toy and play industry,” Ahearn said. “The Toy Association is committed to ensuring that all members — regardless of size or focus — have the resources, connections, and advocacy they need to thrive.”
For more information about The Toy Association, visit toyassociation.org.
