2026 WONDER WOMEN AWARD WINNERS

TAMAGOTCHI TEAM

Led by Tara Badie

Brand Franchise Leadership

THE VTECH & LEAPFROG SALES TEAM

Led by Jane Donnelly

Commercial Excellence

DONNA TERESA FASANO

The Owl & The Hourglass

Designer/ Inventor - Independent

AZHELLE WADE

The Toy Coach Inc.

Emerging Technology Leader

ZURU TOYS LICENSING TEAM

Led by Aneisha Vieira

Licensing Excellence-
Team

SHIRLEY KIM

The Pokémon Company International

PR & Communication Excellence

MAUD DECOMBE

Minature Market

Small Business Entreprenuer of the Year

SUNNY LAURIDSEN

Just Play

WiT Champion

BUKY FAMOSA
Mattel

Catalyst for Change (Over 500 Employees)

MOLLIE JAMESON

Spin Master

Designer/ Inventor -
Corporate (Over 500 Employees)

MARIE NAVARRO

Hasbro, Inc.

Digital Innovator

KIM BELL

Paramount

Licensing Excellence
Individual

MALLORY VAN LAEKEN

Moose Toys

Marketing Visionary

KRYSTAL ROSE

asmodee

Rising Leader (Over 500 Employees)

MIMI DOUET

The LEGO Group

Unsung Hero (Over 500 Employees)

DR. AMANDA GUMMERFUNdamentally Children - The Good Play Guide

Catalyst for Change (Under 500 employees)

MARYAM SYED

MAGNA-TILES

Designer/ Inventor -
Corporate (Under 500 Employees)

FIONA HARDIE

Amazon

Emerging Technology Leader

JEAN GOMEZ

Spin Master

Licensing Excellence
Individual

HUMAIRA SHAIKH

The LEGO Group

Mentor of the Year

JIMEKA BROUSSARD

Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Rising Leader (Under 500 Employees)

TINA PATEL

Playmates Toys

Unsung Hero (Under 500 Employees)

Past Winners

Retailer of the Year Honoree – Gaye Dean
Mentorship Award Honoree– Pam Kaufman
Creator/Inventor – Amy Pruzansky – Spin Master
Licensing – Gabriela Arenas – Sesame Workshop
Manufacturing – Nancy Sanchez – LEGO Systems, Inc.
Marketing/ Public Relations – Juli Lennett – NPD
Rising Star – Chrissy Helmich – Wicked Cool Toys
Rising Star – Kate Nichols – Spin Master
Rising Star – Marissa Louie – Animoodles
Rising Star – Natalie Rebot – Moonlite World
Sales – Marian Bossard – The Toy Association
Social Responsibility – Amy Knight – Hasbro
Wonder Girls – Emma and Mila Stauffer

Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree – Norma Rosenhain
Elise Lachowyn Mentorship Award – Nancy Zwiers
Wonder Girl Award – Ariana Gentry
Creator/Inventor – Sydney Wiseman – WowWee Ltd.
Licensing – Menal McGrath – Moose Toys
Manufacturer – Diana Young – Spin Master
Marketing – Julie Christopher – Entertainment One
Public Relations – Susan Murphy – Coyne PR
Retailer – Cindy Levitt – Hot Topic
Rising Star – Ali Mierzejewski – The Toy Insider
Rising Star – Stephanie Mendoza – Sesame Workshop
Sales – Donna Moore – TTPM

Entertainment – Andre Lake Mayer – ZAG
Licensing – Jennifer Bennett – Mattel
Manufacturing – Laura Zebersky – Jazwares
Marketing – Lisa Wuennemann – PlayMonster
Rising Star – Karen Kilpatrick – JazWings
Rising Star – Kathryn Hardy – Disney
Rising Star – Marissa DiBartolo – The Toy Book
Rising Star – Nikki Kennamer – Hasbro
Rising Star – Stephanie Haggerty – Moose Toys
Rising Star – Julie Kerwin – IAmElemental

WIT Founders Honorees – Anne Pitrone & Susan Matsumoto
Game Changer Honoree – Mattel / Fashionista Dolls
Wonder Girl – Sydney & Toni Loew – Poketti
Retailer – Anne Marie Kehoe – Walmart
Manufacturer – Cat Demas – Spin Master
Designer/Inventor – Jacqui Tobias – Moose Toys
Licensing/Entertainment – Joan Grasso – Entertainment One
Social Responsibility – Joan Lawrence – Toy Industry Association
Marketing – Kimberly Willis Boyd – Hasbro
Rising Star – Laura Guilbault – Hasbro
Social Influencer – Melissa & Gracie Hunter – Mommy & Gracie Show/ Family Video Network
Public Relations – Tara Tucker – Spin Master

Lifetime Achievement – Ann Kearns – Sesame Workshop
Wonder Girl – Lyla Black – Lyla Tov Monsters
People’s Choice – Elaine Blackmore Carovilla – Disney Consumer Products
Designer or Inventor – Ditte Buun Pedersen – LEGO Future Lab
Licensing & Entertainment – Samantha Freeman – Out of the Blue
Licensing & Entertainment – Angela Santomero – Out of the Blue
Manufacturer – Irene Li – The Bridge Direct
Marketing/Advertising – Tamara Stewart – Moose Toys
PR/Social Media – Julie Duffy – Hasbro
Retailer – Eva Lorenz – Amazon.com
Rising Star – Alice Brooks – Roominate
Rising Star – Bettina Chen – Roominate
Social Responsibility – Deborah Dicochea – Mattel, Inc.

Designer or Inventor – Kiyomi Haverly – Mattel Global Brands
Licensing & Entertainment – Naz Cuevas – Rovio Entertainment Inc.
Licensing & Entertainment – Donna Tobin – Hasbro, Inc.
Lifetime Achievement – Rita Raiffe – GUND
Manufacturer – Stefanie Barone – MZ Berger
Marketing – Susie Lecker – Fisher-Price
Public Relations – Michele Litzky – Litzky Public Relations
Retailer – Christina Jansa – Target
Rising Star – Debra Sterling – GoldieBlox

Designer or Inventor – Nancy Zwiers – Funosophy
Licensing & Entertainment – Lourdes Arocho – Nickelodeon Consumer Products
Lifetime Achievement Award – Cathy Meredith – Hasbro
Manufacturer – Gale Jarvis Alexander Doll Co.
Marketing or Branding – Alita Friedman – Pretty Ugly, LLC
PR * Social Media – Jen Derevensky – Ren Beanie Public Relation
Socially Responsible – Jean Butler – The Toy Industry Foundation
Retailer – Leila Nosrati – Toys R Us
Rising Star – Caitlin Gutekunst – Mind Candy
Superman Award – Carter Keithley – The TIA
Superman Award – Jay Foreman – The Bridge

Designer or Inventor – Lori Rotter – Blip Toys

Entrepreneur – Laurie Zoob Hyman – Green Toys

Journalism and Social Media – Jackie Breyer – Adventure Publishing

Licensing Agent – Jennifer Richmond – Richmond Management Group

Licensee – Lauren Whitehead – JAKKS Pacific

Licensor – JoAnn McLaughlin – Disney Consumer Products

Life Time Achievement – Joanne Oppenheim – Oppenheim Toy Portfolio

Manufacturer – Jennifer Caveza – JAKKS Pacific

Marketing, Advertising and Branding – Sasha Junk– Kidz Bop

Publishing – Laurie Schacht – Adventure Publishing

Public Relations and Communications – Janis VanTine – Imperial Toy

Retailer of the Year – Lori Costley – Walmart

Rising Star – Elizabeth Miller – Hasbro

Sales – Renee Lochhead – Spin Master

Social Responsibility – Deidre Lind – Mattel

Designer/Inventor – Leslie Scott, Oxford Games

Entrepreneur – Melanie Corpstein, Adorable Originals

Green – Ewa Martinoff, Shainsware

Licensor – Ann Kearns, Global Toys – Sesame Workshop

Licensing Agent – Patti Becker, Becker Associates

Manufacturer – Bryony Bouyer, Hasbro

Online Social Networker – Lisa Orman, KidStuff Public Relations

Retailer – Bernadette Voelker, QVC

Women to Watch:

Genna Rosenberg, JAKKS Pacific

Consultant – Stephanie Azzarone, Child’s Play Communications

Designer/Inventor – Fanny Wong, Fanny’s Playhouse

Entrepreneur

Mary Couzin, Chitag

Mia Galison, Eeboo

Maureen McHale, McHale Design

Green – Sarah Alvarez & Debbie Smith, Idbids

Manufacturer – Sharon John, Hasbro

Licensor – Leigh Anne Brodsky, Nick and Viacom Consumer Products

Licensing Agent – Carlin West, 4Kids Entertainment

Retailer – Laura Phillips, Wal-Mart

Women to Watch:

Jill Waller, Cranium

Elizabeth Werner, iVillage

In Memoriam

Annette Shelley, Annette Shelley Inc

Consultant – Lisa Orman, KidStuff Public Relations

Designer/Inventor – Melone Griffiths, Hasbro

Entrepreneur – Laura Rangel & Lisa Steen Proctor, KidsGive

Licensor – Holly Rawlinson, Pokemon USA

Manufacturer – Julia Fitzgerald, Vtech Electronics

Retailer – Ellen Hearney Mizer, Barnes & Noble

Women to Watch:

Samantha Lomow, Hasbro

Judy Ellis, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

Jill Gaynor, Beyond Learning

In Memoriam

Martine Redman Donofrio

Designer/Inventor – Judy Shackelford, Shackelford & Associates

Entrepreneur – Debra Fine, Small World Kids

Manufacturer – Lynne Rosenblum, Overbreak

Retailer – Melody Young, Toysrus.com

Women to Watch:

Liane Czirjak, Oregon Scientific

Julie Dix & Danielle Ayotte, Taggies

Elise Lachowyn, Spin Master, Ltd.

Kimberly Kociencki, Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE)

Retailer of the Year - Amazon – Anne Carrihil

Icon Award – Jojo Siwa
Changemaker Award Honoree– Steven Wolfe Pereira

Rising Star - Licensee / Manufacturer - Dr. Lisa Williams - The World of EPI

Rising Star - Designer / Inventor - Vanessa Fung - Universal Brand Development

Rising Star - Deal Maker - Brittany Oliver - ZURU

Unsung Hero - Maggie Snow- Mattel

Storyteller - Azhelle Wade - The Toy Coach

Deal Make r- Paula Kupfer - Hasbro

Covid Hero - The LEGO Group

Social Good - Sarah Knott - Hasbro

Marketing / PR - Arlene Biran - Spin Master

Licensee/Manufacturer - Amanda Bright - Spin Master

Licensor / Entertainment - Jess Wolfe - Rebel Girls

Designer / Inventor - Kenna O’Brien - Mattel
Rising Star Licensor/Entertainment – Tiffany Suzuki – Crunchyroll
Rising Star Marketing /PR– Sakita Withers – PlayMonster
Rising Star Social Good – Penny Bauder – Green Kids Crafts
Rising Star Storyteller – Rupa Parekh – Umani Studio
Unsung Hero – Amanda Marschall – The Lego Group

Wonder Girl - Alaya High- That Girl Lay Lay - Paramount

Changemaker of the Year Honoree – Stephanie McMahon
Mentorship Award Honoree– Pam Lifford
Designor/Inventor – Angie Cella - GemC2, Blinger
Licensor/ Entertainment – Glenda Beltran – ViacomCBS
Licensee / Manufacturing – Anna Mowbray – ZURU
Marketing/ Public Relations – Krista Berger – Mattel
Rising Star Corporate – Elaine Chang – Disney
Rising Star Corporate– Maddie Michalik – The Toy Book
Rising Star Independent – Jill Waters – Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld
Rising Star Independent – Madison Robinson – FishFlops
Social Responsibility – Nancy Molenda – Mattel

Visionary Leader Honoree – Laura Zebersky

Trailblazer Honoree – Lisa Mcknight

Future Leader Honoree - Nyla Hayes

Brand Franchise: Meredith Norrie, Mattel

Commercial Sales: Kristen Shackleford, Amazon

Creative Genius: Carly McGinnis, Exploding Kittens

Designer/Inventor (Corporate): Sunno Cho, Jazwares

Designer/Inventor (Independent): Britney Crowell, CurlCap

Digital Storytelling: Alexandra Kavalova, Spin Master

Inbound Licensing: Tanya Thompson, Hasbro, Inc.

Marketing: Jonelle Brown, Paramount

PR/Communications: Molly Martin, The LEGO Group

Rising Leader (<500 Employees): Amy Bastuga, Radio Flyer; and Kim Chang, Just Play

Rising Leader (>500 Employees): Adeline Trento, Toys”R”Us at Macys; and Angela Beck, Mattel

Social Impact (Corporate): Pamela Krominga, Target

Social Impact (Independent): April Showers, Afro Unicorn

Trailblazer Honoree: Kitty Black Perkins

Advocate for Change: Lissa Alberto-Calma, The LEGO Group

Brand Excellence: The Furby Development Team, Hasbro, Inc.

Brand Franchise: Aimee London, Mattel

Commercial Sales: Elizabeth Kong & Kelly Bloom, Jazwares

Designer/Inventor - Corporate: Claudia D. Sandoval, Melissa & Doug

Designer/Inventor - Small Business/Entrepreneur: Gayle Keller, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, LLC

Digital Innovator: Sarah Braun, Amazon

Digital Storyteller: Amanda Cioletti, Informa Markets

Inbound Licensing: Alison Carroll, Mattel

Licensing Agent: Michelle McLaughlin, Brand Activation Consulting

Marketing: Lucy Bullock, Moose Toys

Mentor of the Year: Belinda Gruebner, Moose Toys

PR Excellence: Crystal Flynn, Hasbro, Inc.

PR Excellence: Molly Quiring, Universal Products & Experiences

Rising Leader < 500: Jenny Lorton, Toysmith

Rising Leader < 500: Michelle Weber, Toy'n Around

Rising Leader > 500: Becca Griffin, Hasbro, Inc.

Rising Leader > 500: Sasha Bash, Amazon

Small Business Owner of the Year: Anita Grant, Hello Hair

Sustainability Excellence: Emilie Stinson Nosovic, The LEGO Group

Unsung Hero < 500: Allie Wachter, Jusy Play

Vanguard Honoree: Maya Rogers

Brand Franchise: BBC Studios: Suzy Raia, Kirsten Fallon, Paulina Abrams, Jill Cook, Katie Scalere, Kealan Casey, Josh Pavloff, Francesca Flanagan, Carolina Cabal, Shannon Cuthbert, Stephanie Mendoza, Melissa Majerowicz

Catalyst for Change (under 500): Rachele Harmuth, CrunchLabs & MESH Helps, Genna Rosenberg, GennComm

Catalyst for Change (over 500): Alex Yee, Disney

Commercial Excellence: Tara Gartman, Paramount

Designer/Inventor (Corporate): Kate Fakonas, Hasbro

Designer/Inventor (Independent): Serena Fadlunn

Digital Innovator: Christine Tran, Amazon

Emerging Technology Leader: Kristin Size, LEGO

Inbound Licensing: Hollie Holmes, Moose Toys

Licensing Agent: Heidi Schwartz, Universal Branding & Media

Marketing: Katie Buford, Mattel

Mentor of the Year: Tal Schrieber, Spin Master

PR Excellence: Sara Rosales Montalvo, Jazwares

Rising Leader (under 500) Employees: Audrey Torrence, Basic Fun

Rising Leader (over 500) Employees: Megan Margolis, Hasbro

Small Business Owner of the Year: Justine Tiu, The Woobles

Unsung Hero (under 500) Employees: Ashlee Virtue, Relatable

Unsung Hero (over 500) Employees: Stephanie North, Just Play, Stephanie Fischer, Bandai

WiT Champion: Julien Sharp, Asmodee

Brand Franchise Leadership

Commercial Excellence

Designer/ Inventor - Independent

Emerging Technology Leader

Licensing Excellence- Team

PR & Communication Excellence

Small Business Entreprenuer of the Year

WiT Champion

Catalyst for Change (Over 500 Employees)

Designer/ Inventor - Corporate (Over 500 Employees)

Digital Innovator

Licensing Excellence Individual

Marketing Visionary

Rising Leader (Over 500 Employees)

Unsung Hero (Over 500 Employees)

Catalyst for Change (Under 500 employees)

Designer/ Inventor - Corporate (Under 500 Employees)

Emerging Technology Leader

Licensing Excellence Individual

Mentor of the Year

Rising Leader (Under 500 Employees)

Unsung Hero (Under 500 Employees)

Past Winners

Trailblazer Honoree – Lisa Mcknight

Future Leader Honoree - Nyla Hayes​

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Licensing Excellence-
Team

Designer/ Inventor -
Corporate (Over 500 Employees)

Licensing Excellence
Individual

Designer/ Inventor -
Corporate (Under 500 Employees)

Licensing Excellence
Individual

Future Leader Honoree - Nyla Hayes