Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment (WiT) has officially announced the finalists for this year’s Wonder Women Awards.
The awards spotlight female leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators whose hard work and creativity continue to drive change across the industry and inspire the next generation of talent. Voting is open to all WiT members until July 24; the winners will be revealed at the Wonder Women Awards Gala Thursday, September 17, at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles.
The Wonder Women Awards spotlight female leaders from across the industry. | Source: WiT/The Toy Book
The gala will also award two trailblazers with the Global Impact Award and Inclusive Leadership Award. | Source: WiT
In addition, the gala honors Sherrie Westin, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, with the Global Impact Award, for her unwavering support of early childhood education and emotional well-being for families in the face of conflict and crisis. Meanwhile, Steve Totzke, President and Executive Advisor at Mattel, receives the Inclusive Leadership Award, recognizing his commitment to creating equal-opportunity environments that foster diversity.
“The Wonder Women Awards celebrate leaders whose influence extends far beyond business results alone,” said Wonder Women Awards co-Chairs Lourdes Arocho, SVP, Head of Licensing at Gap, and Deirdre Cross, Founder and CEO of Tiffany Birdsong. “Sherrie Westin exemplifies the extraordinary power of purpose-driven leadership, using storytelling to create meaningful change for children and families around the world. We are also proud to recognize Steve Totzke for his longstanding commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and the advancement of women across our industry. Together with this year’s finalists, they represent the innovation, leadership, and community that continue to shape the future of toys, licensing, consumer products, and entertainment.”
WiT members may cast their votes for the 2026 Wonder Women Awards through July 24. Winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala Thursday, Sept. 17, at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles. For tickets to the event, visit womenintoys.com.
The finalists for each category include:
BRAND FRANCHISE
Alex Crawford, 7-Eleven
Christina Holmes, The LEGO Group
Elisha Jernigan, Schleich
Fuggler Team, led by Anastasia Filinsky, Zuru
Global Franchise Strategy, Universal Destinations & Experiences, led by Shannon Vacca, Universal Products & Experiences
Jackie Jones, Hasbro
Joie Yale, Dr. Seuss Enterprises
Just Play, Disney Stitch Team, led by Mindy Corrill, Just Play
Spin Master Brand Team, led by Maryellen Zarakas, Spin Master
Tamagotchi Team, led by Tara Badie, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America
CATALYST FOR CHANGE >500 EMPLOYEES
Buky Famosa, Mattel
Cara Shadbolt, Asmodee
Laura Christiansen, VTech Electronics, North America
Savannah Tarpey, The LEGO Group
Shelby Iapoce-Lintz, Hasbro
Sophia Hu, Zuru
CATALYST FOR CHANGE <500 EMPLOYEES
Dr. Amanda Gummer, FUNdamentally Children – Home of the Good Play Guide
Paola Dyboski, Bubbles Not Bombs
Marlene Sharp, Pink Poodle Productions, KutSharp Productions
COMMERCIAL EXCELLENCE
Amanda Wooster, Amazon
Demitria “Meech” Medeiros, Hasbro
Jennifer Brook, Universal Products & Experiences
Junko Fukamachi, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America
Kelly Tomaselli, Moose Toys
Mina Zandbar, Mattel
Nilotri Das, Zuru
The Paramount Target Retail Sales Team, led by Leah Kellenberger, Paramount
Rachel McWilliams (Bekerman), Jazwares
The VTech & LeapFrog Sales Team, led by Jane Donnelly, VTech Electronics, North America
DESIGNER/INVENTOR — CORPORATE >500 EMPLOYEES
Courtney Watkinson, Disney
Ellie Morlino, Universal Products & Experiences
Geneviève Blackburn, Mattel
Heather Kim, Jazwares
Jacqui Sullivan, Asmodee
Karen Necker, VTech Electronics, North America
Katie Powers, Just Play
Kim Matilla, Moose Toys
Melissa Hershey, Hasbro
Mollie Jameson, Spin Master
Wendy Huang, Zuru
DESIGNER/INVENTOR — CORPORATE < 500 EMPLOYEES
Catalina Escobar, Basic Fun!
Margaret Seleznev, Relatable
Maryam Syed, MAGNA-TILES
Regan Deason, Goliath Games
Signý Kolbeinsdóttir, Tulipop
DESIGNER/INVENTOR — INDEPENDENT
Annmarie Percic, Tomgrrrl Toys
Brett Lindsay Murphy, Sow Business
Courtney Smithee, Playcor
Donna Teresa Fasano, The Owl and The Hourglass
Heftzi Zion-Mozes, 2 Much Fun
Sally Connolly, Napa Valley Toys USA
DIGITAL INNOVATOR
Allison Vanore, Mattel
Brie Rogers, Just Play
Jenella Young, Universal Products & Experiences
Katherine Resto, Moose Toys
Kathleen Buyco, Zuru
Marie Navarro, Hasbro
McKena Lee, MAGNA-TILES
McKenna Morgan, License Global
Michaela Carey, The LEGO Group
Taylor Mason, Amazon
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LEADER
Ashley Dreyer, Just Play
Azhelle Wade, The Toy Coach
Breanna Taylor, Spin Master
Bri Lovett, Hasbro
Fiona Hardie, Amazon
Isabel Body, Zuru
Tamara Gutverg Levin, Mattel
LICENSING EXCELLENCE — INDIVIDUAL
Casey Liu, Goliath
Jean Gomez, Spin Master
Jessica Nioncel, Mattel
Kaylee Sheil, Hasbro, Inc.
Kerry Gilmour, MGA Entertainment
Kim Bell, Paramount
Kristina Battaglia , Disney
Laurie Smith, The Brand Liaison
Lisa Berlin Wright, Bonkers Toys
Tina Aznavour , Asmodee
LICENSING EXCELLENCE — TEAM
BBC Studios’ Consumer Products Team, led by Suzy Lee Raia, BBC Studios
The CrunchLabs Licensing Team, led by Rachele Harmuth, CrunchLabs
The Crunchyroll Global Consumer Products Team, led by Anna Songco Adamian, Crunchyroll
Dr. Seuss Global Licensing Team, led by Ellie Terveen, Dr. Seuss Enterprises
The Licensing International Team, led by Maura Regan, Licensing International
Universal Products & Experiences Toy Team, Universal Products & Experiences
Zuru Toys Licensing Team, led by Aneisha Vieira, ZURU
MARKETING VISIONARY
Danielle Vandenbergh, MAGNA-TILES
Hannah Mason, Asmodee
Katherine Camagong Daily, Universal Products & Experiences
Kelly Ryan, Amazon
Lisa Doiron, Basic Fun!
Mallory Van Laeken, Moose Toys
Molly Hampton, Mattel
Nikki Lamontagne, The LEGO Group
Sarah Madey, Hasbro
Tita Tantipinichwong, CrunchLabs
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
Beth Moody, Mattel
Humaira Shaikh, The LEGO Group
Irene Li, Zuru
Joni Pratte, Jazwares
Kourtnie Stephenson, Spin Master
Lorna McCracken, Hasbro
Maria Ungaro, Licensing International
Mélanie Watier, Asmodee
Morgan Renken, Entertainment Earth
Ranki Lo, Moose Toys
PR & COMMUNICATIONS EXCELLENCE
Adrienne Appell, The Toy Association
Alexis Winkler, Relatable
Anne Polsak, Mattel
Beatrice Chow, Sesame Workshop
Dana Moncrief, Moose Toys
Elizabeth Foster, Licensing International
Gemma Davidson, Zuru
Shirley Kim, The Pokémon Company International
Stacy Forgang, Hasbro
Susan Tran, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America
RISING LEADER >500 EMPLOYEES
Alyssa Harrington, The LEGO Group
Brittany Oliver, Zuru
Brynn Frawley, Mattel
Cameron Brown, Amazon
Katie Pastore, Spin Master
Krystal Rose, Asmodee
Marisa Lefton, Jazwares
Meredith Olson, Just Play
Peta Williams, Moose Toys
Valery Fregoso, Disney
RISING LEADER <500 EMPLOYEES
Anna Lommatzsch, Informa Markets — Global Licensing Group
Cassie James, CrunchLabs
Evy Reinink, Goliath
Jennifer Ford, MAGNA-TILES
Jimeka Broussard, Dr. Seuss Enterprises
Laura Mangiaracina, The Toy Association
Lauren Bemister, Roo & You
Sam Shutman, Entertainment Earth
SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Anna Barker, Glo, Glo Pals
Diane Alber, Inspire To Create
Helen Smith, Roo & You
Helga Árnadóttir, Tulipop
Inna Yermolenko, Naturally KIDS
Iris Solomon, Hahn/Solo Consulting, Inc.
Jenelle Peterson, Wild Life Outdoor Adventures
Khushboo Saraf, Lattooland
Maud Decombe, Miniature Market
Meredith Jurica, Makeup Junkie Bags
UNSUNG HERO >500 EMPLOYEES
Alissa McLean, VTech Electronics, North America
Amanda Rubinos Luna, Disney
Jackie Daugherty, Just Play
Julie Parkes, Hasbro
Lauren Phung, Jazwares
Lucy Figg, Zuru
Mimi Douet, The LEGO Group
Rebecca Manliguis, Moose Toys
Shelby Goldenberg, Paramount
Shubhi Srivastava, Amazon
Susanne Teixeira, Spin Master
UNSUNG HERO <500 EMPLOYEES
Alison Simonson, Dyce Games
Ann Wong, YuMe Toys
Ashton Fender, Licensing International
Emily Chaput, Sunny Days Entertainment
Loren Mitchell, Basic Fun!
Ruby Lam, CrunchLabs
Stefani David, Entertainment Earth
Tina Patel, Playmates Toys, Inc.
Tobi Karson-Sevdalakis, Relatable
WIT CHAMPION
Becky Melchionna, Jazwares
Caroline Stern, Mattel
Cathérine De Bleeker, Toy Executive
Lisa Gilbert, Hasbro
Margie Janes, Playmates Toys
Sunny Lauridsen, Just Play
Trisa Bui, The LEGO Group
