Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is adding new faces to its Board of Directors as it prepares for the years ahead.
WiT is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the advancement of women within the toy industry through networking, education, mentorship, and more. The group is eager to welcome new members to its leadership; it will also keep four current members serving a second term on the board.
Starting Jan. 1, Ehi Oviasu-Kahn will take over Chairwoman of the Board duties from Janice Ross, whose role as President will end this year. Oviasu-Kahn founded Little Art, a firm focused on creating toys that support creativity and learning in kids. She brings a wealth of experience in the industry to the role, working to build partnerships across numerous organizations. Oviasu-Kahn will be joined by four new board members, each starting Jan. 1 and serving three years. The new board members include Aneisha Veira, Global Brand Director, ZURU; DeeDee Wright-Ward, Founder and CEO, Purpose Toys; Gena Lavallee, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Make It Real; and Julien Sharp, General Manager, U.S., Asmodee.
It has been a profound honor to serve as WiT President over the past four years. I’m proud of the remarkable progress we’ve achieved together, and excited for the continued impact of this incredible organization under Ehi’s dynamic leadership.
In addition to the new arrivals, WiT has seen the re-election of four current board members who will serve a second term, including Amy Thompson, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Mattel; Kristi Wasmer, Senior Sales Executive; Michelle Weber, Executive Vice President, Toy’n Around; and Shawn Smith, Founder, Shawn Smith Communications.
WiT’s new Board of Directors helms the organization’s efforts in its overall mission to advocate for and empower women in the industry. The organization’s various chapters are celebrating the end of 2023 and looking toward future goals for the coming year.
