Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT)
The WIT Foundation
WIT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the leading global networking community for professional women working in the toy, licensing and entertainment industries.
Our Mission
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) is a collaborative community that champions the advancement of women through leadership, networking and educational opportunities.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Janice Ross
WIT President
Managing Partner
Brand Fresh Management
Hello WIT Friends,
As we sweat out the dog days of summer, and COVID-19 is still a thing, I’m all about maintaining a positive attitude, sustaining momentum, and planning for the future. It’s time to start thinking about the Fall (yes, in retail, the Fall starts in August).
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business, or part of a company team, now is a great time to evaluate your business performance, revisit your brand, plan for the future, tackle things you’ve put off, and make an action plan that will set you up for success later as we head into the holidays. Find your “doable” action steps and do them consistently, one doable step at a time.
Our busy season comes fast and furious and will be here before we know it. A smart off-season strategy will help you keep the momentum going, and will soon have you celebrating your success!
I’d love to hear from you! What doable steps are you taking to reach your goals, and how can WIT help you get there? Feel free to email me at jross@brandfreshmgmt.com.
#SummerStateOfMind
About Janice Ross, President of WIT and Managing Partner, Brand Fresh Management
Named Game Changer in 2017 by License Global Magazine, Janice is a global licensing agent and branding executive with 20+ years experience developing and executing innovative consumer product strategies. As President of Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment, she is a passionate proponent of advancing women through mentoring, leadership opportunities and educational programs. Janice's background and experience leading teams at powerhouse companies like LEGO and American Greetings make her uniquely qualified to lead the WIT organization into the next decade.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Alita Friedman
Secretary / Treasurer
CEO
Alita’s Brand Bar
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mary Kay Russell
Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bernadette Boyle
The Toy Association Liaison
Senior Membership Manager
The Toy Association
Bisma Ansari
D&I Committee
SVP & Global Brand GM
MEGA Brands – Mattel
Cynthia Nishimoto
Legal Committee Chair
General Counsel
SVP, Business & Legal Affairs
Bandai America Incorporated
Gena Lavallee
Nominations Chair
Vice President Sales & Marketing
Make It Real
Genna Rosenberg
Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair
& Sponsorship Chair
CEO
GennComm, LLC
Jennifer Caveza
Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair
Industry Executive
Jennifer Quattrock
Design Co-Chair
Creative Director
JenQTRock Design
Jessica Gavin
Scholarship Chair
Partner
Gavin Hoss Group
Karen Kilpatrick
Wonder Women Awards Committee
Author & Entrepreneur
Laurie Schacht
Communications Chair
CEO/Toy Insider
Adventure Publishing
Lourdes Arocho
Corporate Development Committee
VP Global Consumer Products
Paramount Pictures
Mellany Masterson
Scholarship Co-Chair
Head of Nelvana Enterprises,
a division of Corus Entertainment
Michele Martell
Programming Chair
President
Martell Media House
Stefanie Barone
Promotions Chair
VP of Design
Jazwares
Advisory Board Members
Andrew Kerr
Sutikki
Ann Kearns
AMK Licensing
Anne Pitrone
Pitrone & Associates
Anne Marie Kehoe
Walmart
Barbara Isenberg
North American Bear Co.
Bob Wann
PlayMonster
Brian Goldner
Hasbro, Inc.
Debra Joester
Joester Loria Group LLC
Jay Foreman
Basic Fun!
Joan Packard Luks
The Serenata Group
JoAnn McLaughlin
Marvel Entertainment
Marian Bossard
The Toy Association
Maura Regan
LIMA
Michael Rinzler
Wicked Cool Toys
Stephen Stanley
Rubie’s Costume Co.
Patti Becker
Becker Associates LLC
Nancy Zwiers
Funosophy, Inc.
Pam Kaufman
Nickelodeon
Steve Totzke
Mattel
Deb de Sherbinin
Perk Consulting
OUR STAFF
Mary Kay Russell
Executive Director
Peg Brom
Community Manager
Sandra Lepianka
Operations Manager
Allie Benham
Marketing Manager
OUR FOUNDERS
Anne Pitrone
With over 20 years’ experience in the design and development of licensed products, Anne Pitrone is an expert at translating some of the most beloved characters into commercially successful ventures, from Cabbage Patch to Spiderman. With an inherent ability to understand parents and kids, Anne interprets their needs and desires into viable products that can be engineered, tooled and manufactured for children around the world. Today, Anne works as a product development consultant to various toy companies. At the center of Anne’s life is expression . . . whether it’s toys . . . art . . . or friendships. She demonstrates that life is an adventure worth exploring, building and sharing with the world!
Susan Matsumoto
Susan Matsumoto began her toy industry career out of college as a doll designer for Mattel. She then moved on to work for several other firms before starting her own packaging design firm, working with both large and small companies. Together with a partner, she founded her own toy company called Fun First, which helped her understand the toy industry from inception and design, to sourcing and manufacturing, through to sales and shipping. Currently, Matsumoto is inventing and designing in partnership with her husband Mel Kennedy in their company Kennedy-Matsumoto Design. In addition to toy concepts, their projects include hair appliances and accessories, household appliances, and pet products
COMMITTEES
Get involved with WIT by joining a committee today!
Email info@womenintoys.com for more information.