WIT Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment
WIT is the leading global networking organization for professional women working in the toy, licensing and entertainment industries. We provide a collaborative, supportive forum and unparalleled opportunities that foster relationship building and growth, designed to help women advance their careers and succeed both professionally and personally.
Our Mission
WIT’s mission is to support, promote, educate and empower women working in the toy, licensing and entertainment industries, and to provide the resources, connections, and leadership tools to help them achieve professional success.
WIT PRESIDENT
Ashley Mady
Ashley Mady is the founder and president of Brandberry, Inc., a brand licensing agency and think tank. She is a creative hybrid who blends innovation with business. Ashley began her career at one of the largest toy companies in the industry, working on hit properties including Hannah Montana. As an agent, she has succeeded in reinvigorating established brands such as The Wiggles. She has also built/launched many new IP from the ground up. Ashley has been a passionate, active member of the WIT board since 2010.
A Message From Ashley
Dear Members and Industry Colleagues,
It is with humility and great pride to have the privilege of serving as president of Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment. We have seen WIT grow and prosper through the tireless efforts of the many women who have participated as members, volunteers, chapter chairs and board members.
I am honored to be part of this diverse and powerful community of women helping women. I challenge each of you to consider ways that we can better serve you and continue our mission. We’ve made a lot of progress in a short time, but we’re constantly listening to members and looking for ways to bring more benefits, continuing education, networking and career advancement opportunities in the U.S. and abroad.
2016 was a year of exciting transformation and tremendous growth for WIT. We more than doubled our membership, introduced numerous exciting initiatives and member benefits, and our future is brighter and more vibrant than every before. Our tagline, We Inspire Together, truly says it best. And we’re just getting started.
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.
Whether you are an individual or corporate partner, new to WIT or a longtime member, you are so valuable to the growth and vitality of our organization. I encourage everyone to share their talents, skills and resources so that we can continue to soar to new heights.
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.
With warmest regards,
Ashley Mady
STAFF
Amy Good
Administrative Assistant
Mary Kay Russell
Executive Director
Peg Brom
Administrative Assistant
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
TIA Liaison
Sr. Membership Manager
TIA
Bisma Ansari
Corporate Development Committee
SVP & Global Brand GM
MEGA Brands – Mattel
Caitlin Gutekunst
Regional Chapters Chair
Head of Digital IP
StartApp
Cynthia Nishimoto
Legal Committee Chair
General Counsel
Sr. Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs/Human Resources
Bandai America Incorporated
Deb deSherbinin
Empowerment Chair & Communications Co-Chair
CEO
Perk Consulting
Elizabeth Kong
International Chapters Chair
Sales Manager
Animal Adventure, LLC
Gena Lavallee
Corporate Development Co-Chair
US Executive Director of Merchandising, Senior Buyer for Seasonal Wheels and Outdoor
Toys “R” Us
Genna Rosenberg
Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair; Sponsorship Chair
Principal
GennComm, LLC
Janice Ross
Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair
Head of Global Licensing
American Greetings Entertainment
Jennifer Caveza
Corporate Development Chair
SVP Toys
Nickelodeon
Jennifer Quattrock
Design Co-Chair
Creative Director
QT Rock Design
Jessica Gavin
Scholarship Co-Chair
Vice President Marketing & Licensing
TCG Toys
Laurie DeLuca
Design Co-Chair
Independent Designer
Founder
Innovation Grove
Lourdes Arocho
Corporate Development Committee
Vice President Brand Development
Universal
Mellany Masterson
Scholarship Co-Chair
Director of Business Development
Imports Dragon
Nancy Zwiers
Empowerment Co-Chair
Chief Marketing Officer
Spin Master
Stefanie Barone
Products & Promotions Co-Chair
Just Play
Advisory Board Members
Andrew Kerr, Sutkki
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, The Bridge Direct, Inc.
Joan Packard Luks, The Serenata Group
JoAnn McLaughlin, Marvel Entertainment
Laura Phillips, Walmart
Lisa Harnisch, Summer Infant
Marian Bossard, TIA
Maura Regan, LIMA
Michael Rinzler, Wicked Cool Toys
Neil Friedman, Alex Brands
Patti Becker, Becker Associates LLC
Stephen Stanley, Rubie’s Costume Co.
Pam Kaufman, Nickelodeon
Steve Totzke, Mattel
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ashley Mady
Chair
Nancy Zwiers
Vice Chair
Genna Rosenberg
Vice Chair
Deb deSherbinin
Secretary
Alita Friedman
Treasurer
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.
Caitlin Gutekunst – 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.
Deb de Sherbinin – Co-Chair
Genna Rosenberg – Co-Chair
Anne-Marie Grill
Fatina Johnston
Janis VanTine
Jen Derevensky
Jennifer Lynch
Jennifer Ure
Jodi Norgaard
Michele Litzky
Stephanie Azzarone
Susan Murphy
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
Genna Rosenberg
Janice Ross
Jennifer Jankowski
Leila Nosrati
Lisa Shamus
Lourdes Arocho
Nancy Zwiers
Sophie Lefebvre
Stacie Speaker
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
Genji Leclair
Jennifer Lynch
Kiki Kolakowski
Ruth Synowic
Shelly Delice
Empowerment
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
Laura Fletcher
Jennifer Caveza
Jessica Gavin
Jodi Norgaard
Karen Kilpatrick
Brandi Pinsker
Kimberly Carcone
Lamice JouJou
Lisa Shamus – Webinars
Lourdes Arocho
Mellany Masterson
Stacie Speaker
Tonda Sellers
Sophie Lefebvre – Speakers Bureau
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
Industry Liaison
The Industry Liaison Committee is responsible for identifying and developing relationships between WIT and various industry organizations.
Joan Packard Luks – Chair
Bernadette Boyle – TIA
Victoria Cushey – LIMA
Corey Nascenzi – Children’s Media
Lauren Priffer – JPMA
Legal
The Legal Committee is responsible for advising the Board of Directors on legal matters, as referred to them for review.
Cynthia Nishimoto – Chair
Beth Miller
Carol Brittain
Howard Fine
Karen Kilpatrick
Meaghan Kent
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.
Stefanie Barone – Co-Chair
Jessica Gavin – Co-Chair
Amy Pfister
Jennifer Quattrock
Julie Christopher
Marcy Harbatkin
Shehnaz Safiuddin
Membership
The Membership Committee is responsible for cultivating, recruiting and retaining WIT members.
Brandi Pinsker – Chair
Janice Pollizzitto
Caitlin Gutekunst
Katlyn Grasso
Robin Murphy
Nominations
The Nominations Committee is responsible for selecting award categories, developing nominations guidelines, judging criteria and the voting process for the annual Wonder Women Awards.
Chisty Collins – Chair
Caitlin Gutekunst
Deb de Sherbinin
Genna Rosenberg
Jamie Cygielman
Janice Ross
Research
The Research Committee oversees the creation and collection of information in alignment with WIT’s comprehensive research agenda.
Open Position – Chair
Scholarship
Jessica Gavin – Co-Chair
Mellany Masterson – Co-Chair
Catherine Demas
Joanna Maguire
Kaitlin Grasso – Student Ambassador
Sponsorship
Genna Rosenberg – Chair
Martha Montoya
Web & Social Media
Pamela Anderson – Website Chair
Marcy Harbatkin
Wonder Women Awards Host
The Wonder Women Awards Committee is responsible for planning, organizing and executing the annual Wonder Women Awards Gala.
Genna Rosenberg – Chair
Brandi Pinsker
Deb de Sherbinin
Elizabeth Kong
Jen Dervensky
Jessica Gavin
Joan Packard Luks
Laurie Deluca
Lisa Shamus
Mellany Masterson
Stefanie Barone
Tom Ortel