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
WIT is a collaborative community championing professional growth for women through leadership, networking and educational opportunities.
OUR PRESIDENT
Ashley Mady
Ashley Mady has been a resolute champion and member of WIT since 2010. Prior to becoming president in 2014, she served the organization in numerous roles — as board member, Wonder Women Gala Co-Chair, Social Media Chair, various Event Chair positions, and Florida Chapter Chair. Under her senior leadership, WIT has more than quadrupled its membership through community involvement and immersive programming.
Throughout her career, Ashley has been recognized as a creative hybrid who blends innovation with business. In her current position as Head of Brand Development at Basic Fun!, she leads the conceptualization of the company’s new sustainable brands portfolio, oversees the company’s digital and social media initiatives, and works collaboratively with internal teams on growth plans that drive innovation for new and existing brands.
Prior to joining Basic Fun!, Ashley founded and helmed the brand licensing and creative agency, Brandberry. There she spent close to a decade launching new IP from the ground up, and reinvigorated established brands. Ashley began her career at one of the world’s largest toy companies, starting in creative services and then moving into a marketing role. Ashley uses her diverse experience to relate to and craft programming for the many different types of WIT members.
Ashley also serves on the Chairman’s Advisory Committee of The Toy Association.
A Message From Ashley
Dear WIT Friends,
It is with great pride to have the privilege of serving as president of Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment. We have seen WIT grow and prosper because of the dedication of our members and tireless efforts of our volunteers, chapter chairs, board, and advisory board. I am honored to be part of this diverse and powerful community of women helping women.
We’ve made incredible progress over the years, and we’re constantly striving to do more by listening to members and looking for new ideas and ways to provide more benefits, education, networking and career growth opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. I invite you to consider ways that we can better serve you, serve our industry, and continue to fulfill our mission.
My goal is to continue to see WIT grow and be meaningful to each member, partner, and sponsor. Our success is based on new programs and ideas, many of which come from you. Each of us brings our own unique perspective, skill sets, and talents to the organization. This is invaluable to our success. It is inspiring and rewarding to witness the excitement, passion, and dedication of members and volunteers, all working toward the continued growth and advancement of women in our industry.
Our tagline, We Inspire Together, truly says it best And we’re just getting started!
Please join us as we create positive change that will not only sustain and grow our industry, it will pave the path for the next generation of leaders.
OUR STAFF
Amy Good
Operations Manager
Mary Kay Russell
Executive Director
Peg Brom
Community 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
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alita Friedman
Treasurer
CEO
Alita’s Brand Bar
Bernadette Boyle
The Toy Association Liaison
Senior Membership Manager
The Toy Association
Bisma Ansari
Corporate Development Committee
SVP & Global Brand GM
MEGA Brands – Mattel
Cynthia Nishimoto
Legal Committee Chair
General Counsel
SVP, Business & Legal Affairs
Bandai America Incorporated
Deb deSherbinin
Empowerment Chair & Communications Co-Chair
President
Perk Consulting
Elizabeth Kong
International Chapters Chair
Gena Lavallee
Corporate Development Co-Chair
US Executive Director of Merchandising, Senior Buyer
Toys “R” Us
Genna Rosenberg
Wonder Women Awards Gala Co-Chair; Sponsorship Chair
CEO
GennComm, LLC
Jadyn Rosario
Regional Chapter Development Chair
Principal
Simplicity Consulting
Janice Ross
Wonder Women Awards Gala Co-Chair
SVP Licensing and Business Development
The Lisa Frank Company
Jennifer Caveza
Wonder Women Awards Gala Co-Chair
SVP Toys
Nickelodeon
Jennifer Quattrock
Design Co-Chair
Creative Director
JenQTRock Design
Jessica Gavin
Scholarship Co-Chair
VP, Marketing & Licensing
The Canada Group Toys
Julie Powell Christopher
Marketing Committee
VP, Marketing, North America
Entertainment One
Karen Kilpatrick
Nominations Chair
Vice President
Jazwings
Laurie DeLuca
Design Co-Chair
Founder
Innovation Grove
Laurie Schacht
Communications Chair
CEO/Toy Insider
Adventure Publishing
Lisa Shamus
Mentorship Chair
President
Lisa Shamus and Partners
Lourdes Arocho
Corporate Development Committee
VP, North America Category Management
NBC Universal
Mellany Masterson
Scholarship Co-Chair
VP, Sales Consumer Products and International
Corus Entertainment / Nelvana Enterprises
Michele Martell
Programming Chair
President
Martell Media House
Nancy Zwiers
Empowerment Co-Chair
EVP and Global CMO
Spin Master
Stefanie Barone
Products & Promotions Co-Chair
Just Play
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
Neil Friedman
Alex Brands
Pam Kaufman
Nickelodeon
Steve Totzke
Mattel
WIT COMMITTEES
Get involved with WIT by joining a committee today!
Email info@womenintoys.com for more information.
Chapter Development
The Chapter Development Committee is responsible for strengthening the infrastructure of WIT at the local chapter level, and making recommendations regarding membership recruitment and retention to ensure chapter growth and viability.
Jadyn Rosario – U.S. Chapters
Elizabeth Kong – International Chapters
Communications
The Communications Committee is responsible for coordinating and monitoring activities related to all WIT communications, including website, newsletters/eblasts, social media sites and public relations.
Julie Christopher – Chair
Adrienne Appell
Amanda Cioletti
Anne-Marie Grill
Fatina Johnson
Janis VanTine – Public Relations
Jen Derevensky – Public Relations
Jennifer Lynch
Jennifer Ure
Katie Smith
Marissa DiBartolo
Stephanie Azzaone – Public Relations
Susan Murphy – Public Relations
Corporate Development
The Corporate Development Committee is responsible for identifying, collaborating on and executing strategic growth partnerships and opportunities that are consistent with WIT’s mission.
Jennifer Caveza – Chair
Bisma Ansari
Caitlin Gutekunst
Cristy Collins
Genna Rosenberg
Janice Ross
Jennifer Jankowski
Lourdes Arocho
Nancy Zwiers
Design
The Design Committee is responsible for designing and producing all graphic elements, print and digital materials, and contributing innovative ideas for ensuring the integrity of the WIT brand.
Jennifer Quattrock – Co-Chair
Laurie DeLuca – Co-Chair
Alli Divincenzo
Diana Avellan
Jennifer Lynch
Kiki Kolakowski
Marifely Montealegre
Maritza Cuesta
Mianzie Quaglia
Monique Givens
Peri Olitsky
Ruth Synowic
Shelly Delice
Sylvia Cedeno
Diversity & Inclusion
Rupa Parekh
Terri-Nichelle Bradley
Empowerment & Programming
The Empowerment Committee is responsible for identifying, planning, and implementing programs and events that provide developmental and educational opportunities for WIT members to learn and grow professionally.
Deb deSherbinin – Co-Chair
Nancy Zwiers – Co-Chair
Brandi Pinskier
Elizabeth Kong
Jennifer Caveza
Jessica Gavin
Jodi Norgaard
Karen Kilpatrick
Kimberly Carcone
Laura Fletcher
Laurie DeLuca
Lourdes Arocho
Mellany Masterson
Michele Martell
Stacie Speaker
Tonda Sellers
Finance
The Finance Committee monitors the financial management of WIT and advises the Board of Directors on financial matters and asset management.
Alita Friedman – Chair
Angela Keck
Fundraising
Open Position – Chair
Legal
The Legal Committee is responsible for advising the Board of Directors on legal matters, as referred to them for review.
Cynthia Nishimoto – Chair
Howard Fine
Karen Kilpatrick
Michele Martell
Stephanie Pottick
Marketing & Promotions
The Marketing & Promotions Committee is responsible for creating and implementing marketing plans and campaigns to promote awareness for WIT and The WIT Foundation.
Julie Christopher – Co-Chair
Janice Ross – Co-Chair
Amy Pfister
Jennifer Quattrock
Katie Smith
Marcy Harbatkin
Mary Ann Godines
Shehnaz Safiuddin
Stefanie Barone
Membership
The Membership Committee is responsible for cultivating, recruiting and retaining WIT members.
Fatina Johnston – Chair
Maggie Lynn Held
Marina Khidekel
Monica Brown
Robin Murphy
Simon De Mateo
Mentorship
Nancy Zwiers – Chair
Iris Solomon
Jessica Gavin
Karen Kilpatrick
Lamice JouJou
Lourdes Arocho
Mellany Masterson
Nominations
Karen Kilpatrick – Chair
Bisma Ansari
Caitlin Gutekunst
Cristy Collins
Deb de Sherbinin
Genna Rosenberg
Janice Ross
Research
The Research Committee oversees the creation and collection of information in alignment with WIT’s comprehensive research agenda.
Open Position – Chair
Anne Pitrone
Arwen Hunter
Jamie Emmick
Kati Heljakka
Katlyn Grasso
Nancy Zwiers
Sabrina Hallongren
Scholarship
Jessica Gavin – Co-Chair
Mellany Masterson – Co-Chair
Angelina Lee
Cat Demas
Catherine Demas
Deborah Ryan
Donna Lee Odo
Heidi Schwartz
Joanna Maguire
Kati Heljakka
Katie Khau
Katlyn Grasso
Michael Rinzler
Nancy Zwiers
Stacey Reiner
Sponsorship
Genna Rosenberg – Chair
Deb de Sherbinin
Mellany Masterson
Website
Pamela Anderson – Website Chair
Cara Wendt
Deb de Sherbinin
Jennifer Quattrock
Joan Luks
Julia Shoppach
Marcy Harbatkin
Wonder Women Awards
The Wonder Women Awards Committee is responsible for planning, organizing and executing the annual Wonder Women Awards Gala.
Genna Rosenberg – Co-Chair
Janice Ross – Co-Chair
Jennifer Caveza – Co-Chair
Kim Carcone
Elizabeth Kong
Jessica Gavin
Joan Packard Luks
Laurie Deluca
Lisa Shamus
Mellany Masterson
Stefanie Barone
Tom Ortel