New York City, June 15, 2026 — Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is proud to announce the appointment of Deirdre Cross as Chairwoman of the Board along with the election of accomplished industry leaders Rachele Harmuth, Marie Marks and Carrie Mueller to its Board of Directors. WiT also welcomes the return of Lisa Gilbert and Stephanie Bailey for additional board terms. Together, these leaders bring expertise spanning toys, games, licensing, entertainment, retail, consumer products and innovation as WiT continues to strengthen its global community and expand its industry impact.

Deirdre Cross assumes the role of Chairwoman on July 1, 2026 following her service on the WiT Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the Wonder Women Awards for the past year and a half. A respected executive and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in the toy and game industry, Deirdre currently serves as Co-Founder and CEO of The Office of Tiffany Birdsong, a Seattle-based creative studio and tabletop incubator. Her leadership career includes executive roles at Moose Toys and Funko, where she led the growth of emerging brands and licensed gaming portfolios for globally recognized entertainment franchises.

Joining the WiT Board of Directors on July 1, are:

Rachele Harmuth – Chief Product Officer, CrunchLabs A veteran toy industry executive with more than 30 years of experience, Rachele Harmuth is recognized as a leader at the intersection of play, innovation and social impact. As Chief Product Officer at CrunchLabs, she is leading major expansion initiatives spanning retail, publishing and streaming entertainment. She is also the founder of MESH Helps, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children’s mental, emotional and social health through play. Harmuth was recognized with the 2025 WiT Wonder Woman Award in the Catalyst for Change category.

Marie Marks – Head of Global Experiences, Paramount Marie Marks leads Paramount’s Global Experiences business, driving strategic growth across the company’s international Location-Based Entertainment portfolio, defining how iconic brands connect with audiences beyond the screen. Recognized by her peers as a forward-looking industry leader, Marie is known for navigating complex global markets, building trusted partnerships, and assembling high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results. Marie brings extensive expertise in entertainment, licensing, experiential strategy and business leadership to the WiT Board.

Carrie Mueller – Sr. Director of Sales, VTech Electronics North America With over 20 years in the toy industry, Carrie Mueller is a respected sales and business leader whose career spans companies including Sony, LeapFrog and VTech. In addition to driving significant business growth throughout her career, Carrie is an active mentor and dedicated WiT Minnesota Chapter Co-Chair committed to advancing and supporting women in the industry.

Returning for an Additional Term:

Lisa Gilbert – President, Sales & Marketing, Americas, Hasbro Lisa Gilbert returns to the WiT Board, bringing extensive leadership experience across sales, marketing and commercial strategy. As President of Sales & Marketing for the Americas at Hasbro, she oversees go-to-market strategies and operations across the United States, Canada and Latin America, helping drive growth through innovative retailer partnerships and consumer-focused programs. A passionate advocate for developing high-performing teams and giving back to the community, Lisa continues to bring valuable strategic perspective and leadership to the WiT Board.

Stephanie Bailey – Executive, Moonbug Entertainment Stephanie Bailey returns to the WiT Board bringing deep expertise across toys, licensing and entertainment. Her career spans leadership roles at FAO Schwarz, Toys “R” Us, Paramount and Moonbug Entertainment, where she currently focuses on evolving globally recognized brands including CoComelon and Blippi through consumer products, experiences and strategic partnerships. Stephanie also serves as WiT New York Chapter Chair and is an active advocate for mentorship and industry collaboration.

“The power of WiT has always been its ability to spark genuine connection and to elevate the women shaping the toys, licensing, and entertainment industries.” says Deirdre Cross, Chairwoman Elect of the Board. “I am honored to step into the role of Chairwoman. The landscape of business is changing rapidly, and alongside this phenomenal board, I’m excited to accelerate the next chapter of community, mentorship, and shared opportunity for women across all facets of the industry.”

With the support of its Board of Directors and leadership team, WiT remains focused on driving professional growth, fostering leadership and delivering meaningful impact through the power of community.

To connect with WiT Board Members and the global WiT community, join us at the upcoming 2026 Wonder Women Awards, WiT’s premier annual event celebrating the leaders and innovators shaping the future of the toy, consumer products, licensing and entertainment industries. Learn more at https://www.womenintoys.com/

ABOUT WOMEN IN TOYS, LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 1991, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is a premier global nonprofit organization that champions a dynamic, cross-sector community unlocking industry access, advancement and alignment through meaningful connections. Our coalition of women and men drives positive growth, reshapes the business landscape and creates unparalleled opportunities for its global membership. Learn more at womenintoys.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angelina Castro Executive Director, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment T: 310.894.6270 E: angelina@womenintoys.com