July 6, 2026, Los Angeles, CA – Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) proudly announces the 2026 Wonder Women Awards Finalists, an extraordinary group of leaders, innovators and changemakers whose work continues to shape the future of toys, licensing, consumer products and entertainment. The Awards Gala in September will also honor Sherrie Westin, President & CEO of Sesame Workshop, with the prestigious Global Impact Award and Steve Totzke, President and Executive Advisor at Mattel, with the Inclusive Leadership Award, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to leadership, mentorship, storytelling and positive change across the global industry.

For decades, Sherrie Westin has helped redefine the power of storytelling as a force for meaningful change. Under her leadership, Sesame Workshop has continued to expand the reach of one of the world's most trusted and beloved brands, delivering educational content and critical resources to children and families in more than 190 countries. Her work has advanced global initiatives focused on early childhood education, emotional well-being, and supporting children affected by conflict and crisis, demonstrating how entertainment and media can create meaningful change at scale.

"I am deeply honored by this recognition from Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment. I have always believed in the power of storytelling to help children learn, grow, and thrive. This honor is a reflection of the extraordinary colleagues, educators, creators and partners who have helped Sesame Workshop support children and families around the world," said Sherrie Westin.

WiT will also present the Inclusive Leadership Award to Steve Totzke, President and Executive Advisor at Mattel, recognizing his commitment to fostering mentorship, opportunity and inclusive leadership across the global consumer products industry. Through his leadership and advocacy, Steve has championed environments where collaboration, representation and the advancement of women continue to thrive.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to be part of the WiT community for more than a decade,” said Steve Totzke. “The opportunity to serve as an advisor, support emerging leaders, and champion the advancement of women across our industry has been among the most rewarding experiences of my career. I am deeply honored by this recognition and grateful to the many colleagues, mentors, and friends whose partnership and support have enriched my journey.”

“The Wonder Women Awards celebrates leaders whose influence extends far beyond business results alone,” said Wonder Women Awards Co-Chairs Lourdes Arocho, SVP, Head of Licensing at Gap Inc., and Deirdre Cross, Founder & CEO of Tiffany Birdsong LLC. “Sherrie Westin exemplifies the extraordinary power of purpose-driven leadership, using storytelling to create meaningful change for children and families around the world. We are also proud to recognize Steve Totzke for his longstanding commitment to mentorship, inclusion and the advancement of women across our industry. Together with this year's finalists, they represent the innovation, leadership and community that continue to shape the future of toys, licensing, consumer products and entertainment.”

The 2026 Wonder Women Awards will take place on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, where Bronson Plaza and the Paramount Theatre will transform into an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence, leadership and connection across the global industry.

Voting for the Wonder Women Awards is open to WiT members from July 6 through July 24, 2026, and winners will be announced live at the gala.

To reserve tickets, view the full list of finalists, or learn more about the celebration, visit:

https://www.womenintoys.com/wonder-woman-awards

BRAND FRANCHISE

Alex Crawford ❘ 7-Eleven

Christina Holmes ❘ The LEGO Group

Elisha Jernigan ❘ schleich

Fuggler Team, led by Anastasia Filinsky ❘ ZURU

Global Franchise Strategy, Universal Destinations & Experiences, led by Shannon Vacca ❘ Universal Products & Experiences

Jackie Jones ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Joie Yale ❘ Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Just Play, Disney Stitch Team, led by Mindy Corrill ❘ Just Play

Spin Master Brand Team, led by Maryellen Zarakas ❘ Spin Master

Tamagotchi Team, led by Tara Badie ❘ Bandai Namco

CATALYST FOR CHANGE (OVER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Buky Famosa ❘ Mattel

Cara Shadbolt ❘ asmodee

Laura Christiansen ❘ VTech Electronics, North America

Savannah Tarpey ❘ The LEGO Group

Shelby Iapoce-Lintz ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Sophia Hu ❘ ZURU

CATALYST FOR CHANGE (UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Dr. Amanda Gummer ❘ FUNdamentally Children - home of the Good Play Guide

Paola Dyboski ❘ Bubbles Not Bombs

Marlene Sharp ❘ Pink Poodle Productions KutSharp Productions

COMMERCIAL EXCELLENCE

Amanda Wooster ❘ Amazon

Demitria "Meech" Medeiros ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Jennifer Brook ❘ Universal Products & Experiences

Junko Fukamachi ❘ Bandai Namco

Kelly Tomaselli ❘ Moose Toys

Mina Zandbar ❘ Mattel

Nilotri Das ❘ ZURU

​​The Paramount Target Retail Sales Team, led by Leah Kellenberger ❘ Paramount

Rachel McWilliams (Bekerman) ❘ Jazwares

The VTech & LeapFrog Sales Team, led by ​​Jane Donnelly ❘ VTech Electronics, North America

DESIGNER/INVENTOR - CORPORATE (OVER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Courtney Watkinson ❘ Disney

Ellie Morlino ❘ Universal Products & Experiences

Geneviève Blackburn ❘ Mattel

Heather Kim ❘ Jazwares

Jacqui Sullivan ❘ asmodee

Karen Necker ❘ VTech Electronics, North America

Katie Powers ❘ Just Play

Kim Matilla ❘ Moose Toys

Melissa Hershey ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Mollie Jameson ❘ Spin Master

Wendy Huang ❘ ZURU

DESIGNER/INVENTOR - CORPORATE (UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Catalina Escobar ❘ Basic Fun!

Margaret Seleznev ❘ Relatable

Maryam Syed ❘ MAGNA-TILES

Regan Deason ❘ Goliath Games

Signý Kolbeinsdóttir ❘ Tulipop

DESIGNER/INVENTOR - INDEPENDENT

Annmarie Percic ❘ Tomgrrrl Toys LLC

Brett Lindsay Murphy ❘ Sow Business LLC

Courtney Smithee ❘ Playcor

Donna Teresa Fasano ❘ The Owl and The Hourglass

Heftzi Zion-Mozes ❘ 2 Much Fun

Sally Connolly ❘ Napa Valley Toys USA, LLC

DIGITAL INNOVATOR

Allison Vanore ❘ Mattel

Brie Rogers ❘ Just Play

Jenella Young ❘ Universal Products & Experiences

Katherine Resto ❘ Moose Toys

Kathleen Buyco ❘ ZURU

Marie Navarro ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

McKena Lee ❘ MAGNA-TILES

McKenna Morgan ❘ License Global

Michaela Carey ❘ The LEGO Group

Taylor Mason ❘ Amazon

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LEADER

Ashley Dreyer ❘ Just Play

Azhelle Wade ❘ The Toy Coach Inc.

Breanna Taylor ❘ Spin Master

Bri Lovett ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Fiona Hardie ❘ Amazon

Isabel Body ❘ ZURU

Tamara Gutverg Levin ❘ Mattel

LICENSING EXCELLENCE (INDIVIDUAL)

Casey Liu ❘ Goliath

Jean Gomez ❘ Spin Master

Jessica Nioncel ❘ Mattel

Kaylee Sheil ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Kerry Gilmour ❘ MGA Entertainment

Kim Bell ❘ Paramount

Kristina Battaglia ❘ Disney

Laurie Smith ❘ The Brand Liaison

Lisa Berlin Wright ❘ Bonkers Toys

Tina Aznavour ❘ asmodee

LICENSING EXCELLENCE (TEAM)

BBC Studios' Consumer Products Team, led by Suzy Lee Raia ❘ BBC Studios

The CrunchLabs Licensing Team, led by Rachele Harmuth ❘ CrunchLabs

The Crunchyroll Global Consumer Products Team, led by Anna Songco Adamian ❘ Crunchyroll

Dr. Seuss Global Licensing Team, led by Ellie Terveen ❘ Dr. Seuss Enterprises

The Licensing International Team, led by Maura Regan ❘ Licensing International

Universal Products & Experiences Toy Team ❘ Universal Products & Experiences

ZURU Toys Licensing Team, led by Aneisha Vieira ❘ ZURU

MARKETING VISIONARY

Danielle Vandenbergh ❘ MAGNA-TILES

Hannah Mason ❘ asmodee

Katherine Camagong Daily ❘ Universal Products & Experiences

Kelly Ryan ❘ Amazon

Lisa Doiron ❘ Basic Fun!

Mallory Van Laeken ❘ Moose Toys

Molly Hampton ❘ Mattel

Nikki Lamontagne ❘ The LEGO Group

Sarah Madey ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Tita Tantipinichwong ❘ CrunchLabs

MENTOR OF THE YEAR

Beth Moody ❘ Mattel

Humaira Shaikh ❘ The LEGO Group

Irene Li ❘ ZURU

Joni Pratte ❘ Jazwares

Kourtnie Stephenson ❘ Spin Master

Lorna McCracken ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Maria Ungaro ❘ Licensing International

Mélanie Watier ❘ asmodee

Morgan Renken ❘ Entertainment Earth

Ranki Lo ❘ Moose Toys

PR & COMMUNICATIONS EXCELLENCE

Adrienne Appell ❘ The Toy Association

Alexis Winkler ❘ Relatable

Anne Polsak ❘ Mattel

Beatrice Chow ❘ Sesame Workshop

Dana Moncrief ❘ Moose Toys

Elizabeth Foster ❘ Licensing International

Gemma Davidson ❘ ZURU

Shirley Kim ❘ The Pokémon Company International

Stacy Forgang ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Susan Tran ❘ Bandai Namco

RISING LEADER (OVER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Alyssa Harrington  ❘ The LEGO Group

Brittany Oliver ❘ ZURU

Brynn Frawley ❘ Mattel

Cameron Brown ❘ Amazon

Katie Pastore ❘ Spin Master

Krystal Rose ❘ asmodee

Marisa Lefton ❘ Jazwares

Meredith Olson ❘ Just Play

Peta Williams ❘ Moose Toys

Valery Fregoso ❘ Disney

RISING LEADER (UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Anna Lommatzsch ❘ Informa Markets - Global Licensing Group

Cassie James ❘ CrunchLabs

Evy Reinink ❘ Goliath

Jennifer Ford ❘ MAGNA-TILES

Jimeka Broussard ❘ Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Laura Mangiaracina ❘  The Toy Association

Lauren Bemister ❘ Roo & You

Sam Shutman ❘ Entertainment Earth

SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Anna Barker ❘ Glo, Glo Pals

Diane Alber ❘ Inspire To Create

Helen Smith ❘ Roo & You

Helga Árnadóttir ❘ Tulipop

Inna Yermolenko ❘ Naturally KIDS

Iris Solomon ❘ Hahn/Solo Consulting, Inc.

Jenelle Peterson ❘ Wild Life Outdoor Adventures

Khushboo Saraf ❘ Lattooland

Maud Decombe ❘ Miniature Market

Meredith Jurica ❘ Makeup Junkie Bags

UNSUNG HERO (OVER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Alissa McLean ❘ VTech Electronics, North America

Amanda Rubinos Luna ❘ Disney

Jackie Daugherty ❘ Just Play

Julie Parkes ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Lauren Phung ❘ Jazwares

Lucy Figg ❘ ZURU

Mimi Douet ❘ The LEGO Group

Rebecca Manliguis ❘ Moose Toys

Shelby Goldenberg ❘ Paramount

Shubhi Srivastava ❘ Amazon

Susanne Teixeira ❘ Spin Master

UNSUNG HERO (UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES)

Alison Simonson ❘ Dyce Games

Ann Wong ❘ YuMe Toys

Ashton Fender ❘ Licensing International

Emily Chaput ❘ Sunny Days Entertainment

Loren Mitchell ❘ Basic Fun!

Ruby Lam ❘ CrunchLabs

Stefani David ❘ Entertainment Earth

Tina Patel ❘ Playmates Toys, Inc.

Tobi Karson-Sevdalakis ❘ Relatable

WIT CHAMPION

Becky Melchionna ❘ Jazwares

Caroline Stern ❘ Mattel

Cathérine De Bleeker ❘ Toy Executive

Lisa Gilbert ❘ Hasbro, Inc.

Margie Janes ❘ Playmates Toys, Inc.

Sunny Lauridsen ❘ Just Play

Trisa Bui ❘ The LEGO Group

ABOUT WOMEN IN TOYS, LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 1991, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is a premier global nonprofit organization that champions a community of professionals who create, license, market and bring brands, products and experiences to life. Through meaningful connections, WiT expands access, advances careers and fosters collaboration. With 25 chapters worldwide, WiT supports professionals at every career stage through impactful programming, mentorship, scholarships and community-building. 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