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PRESS RELEASE

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Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Presents 2025 Wonder Women Award Winners in Los Angeles

Also Honored with WiT’s Vanguard Award: Maya Rogers, CEO of The Tetris Company

September 12, 2025 - Los Angeles  - Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Wonder Women Awards, celebrated in dazzling fashion at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. This year’s gala embraced the theme “All That Glitters Is Truly Gold” — a tribute to the brilliance that every honoree brings to our community.

The evening also honored Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris, with the prestigious Vanguard Award. Rogers was recognized for her exceptional leadership and vision in elevating one of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands, reimagining Tetris into a global lifestyle powerhouse while inspiring generations of leaders across gaming, consumer products, and entertainment.


The 2025 Wonder Women Award Winners Are:

  • Brand Franchise: BBC Studios: Suzy Raia, Kirsten Fallon, Paulina Abrams, Jill Cook, Katie Scalere, Kealan Casey, Josh Pavloff, Francesca Flanagan, Carolina Cabal, Shannon Cuthbert, Stephanie Mendoza, Melissa Majerowicz

  • Catalyst for Change (under 500): Rachele Harmuth, CrunchLabs & MESH Helps, Genna Rosenberg, GennComm

  • Catalyst for Change (over 500): Alex Yee, Disney

  • Commercial Excellence: Tara Gartman, Paramount

  • Designer/Inventor (Corporate): Kate Fakonas, Hasbro

  • Designer/Inventor (Independent): Serena Fadlunn

  • Digital Innovator: Christine Tran, Amazon

  • Emerging Technology Leader: Kristin Size, LEGO

  • Inbound Licensing: Hollie Holmes, Moose Toys

  • Licensing Agent: Heidi Schwartz, Universal Branding & Media

  • Marketing: Katie Buford, Mattel

  • Mentor of the Year: Tal Schrieber, Spin Master

  • PR Excellence: Sara Rosales Montalvo, Jazwares

  • Rising Leader (under 500) Employees: Audrey Torrence, Basic Fun

  • Rising Leader (over 500) Employees: Megan Margolis, Hasbro

  • Small Business Owner of the Year: Justine Tiu, The Woobles

  • Unsung Hero (under 500) Employees: Ashlee Virtue, Relatable

  • Unsung Hero (over 500) Employees: Stephanie North, Just Play, Stephanie Fischer, Bandai

  • WiT Champion: Julien Sharp, Asmodee

“The Wonder Women Awards is more than an evening of trophies — it’s a golden moment where our community shines,” said Nancy Molenda and Deirdre Cross, Co-Chairs of the Wonder Women Awards. “Tonight we celebrate women who invent and design, market and mentor, license and lead — the very leaders who build the products we love and the partnerships that move our industry forward. This event captures the brilliance of what happens when our WiT community comes together and proves that when one of us wins, we all win.”

WiT extends heartfelt thanks to its 2025 sponsors including Amazon, Mattel, Hasbro, Paramount, Bandai, Disney, Jazwares, LEGO, Spin Master, VTech, and many others  for their generous investment in driving positive change for women. Proceeds from the Wonder Women Awards support WiT’s vital programming, mentorship, and the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program.



ABOUT WOMEN IN TOYS, LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 1991, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is the leading global 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving women across the toy, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment industries. WiT empowers women to create, make, and monetize their expertise, connecting the economic value chain from concept to commerce through access, resources, and community.

With 25 chapters worldwide, WiT supports a diverse network of professionals at all career stages through impactful programming, mentorship, scholarship, and community-building. Our coalition of women and men is driving positive growth, reshaping the business landscape, and creating unparalleled opportunities for its members. 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


September 12, 2025 - Los Angeles  - Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Wonder Women Awards, celebrated in dazzling fashion at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. This year’s gala embraced the theme “All That Glitters Is Truly Gold” — a tribute to the brilliance that every honoree brings to our community.


The evening also honored Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris, with the prestigious Vanguard Award. Rogers was recognized for her exceptional leadership and vision in elevating one of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands, reimagining Tetris into a global lifestyle powerhouse while inspiring generations of leaders across gaming, consumer products, and entertainment.


The 2025 Wonder Women Award Winners Are:

  • Brand Franchise: BBC Studios: Suzy Raia, Kirsten Fallon, Paulina Abrams, Jill Cook, Katie Scalere, Kealan Casey, Josh Pavloff, Francesca Flanagan, Carolina Cabal, Shannon Cuthbert, Stephanie Mendoza, Melissa Majerowicz

  • Catalyst for Change (under 500): Rachele Harmuth, CrunchLabs & MESH Helps, Genna Rosenberg, GennComm

  • Catalyst for Change (over 500): Alex Yee, Disney

  • Commercial Excellence: Tara Gartman, Paramount

  • Designer/Inventor (Corporate): Kate Fakonas, Hasbro

  • Designer/Inventor (Independent): Serena Fadlunn

  • Digital Innovator: Christine Tran, Amazon

  • Emerging Technology Leader: Kristin Size, LEGO

  • Inbound Licensing: Hollie Holmes, Moose Toys

  • Licensing Agent: Heidi Schwartz, Universal Branding & Media

  • Marketing: Katie Buford, Mattel

  • Mentor of the Year: Tal Schrieber, Spin Master

  • PR Excellence: Sara Rosales Montalvo, Jazwares

  • Rising Leader (under 500) Employees: Audrey Torrence, Basic Fun

  • Rising Leader (over 500) Employees: Megan Margolis, Hasbro

  • Small Business Owner of the Year: Justine Tiu, The Woobles

  • Unsung Hero (under 500) Employees: Ashlee Virtue, Relatable

  • Unsung Hero (over 500) Employees: Stephanie North, Just Play, Stephanie Fischer, Bandai

  • WiT Champion: Julien Sharp, Asmodee


“The Wonder Women Awards is more than an evening of trophies — it’s a golden moment where our community shines,” said Nancy Molenda and Deirdre Cross, Co-Chairs of the Wonder Women Awards. “Tonight we celebrate women who invent and design, market and mentor, license and lead — the very leaders who build the products we love and the partnerships that move our industry forward. This event captures the brilliance of what happens when our WiT community comes together and proves that when one of us wins, we all win.”


WiT extends heartfelt thanks to its 2025 sponsors including Amazon, Mattel, Hasbro, Paramount, Bandai, Disney, Jazwares, LEGO, Spin Master, VTech, and many others  for their generous investment in driving positive change for women. Proceeds from the Wonder Women Awards support WiT’s vital programming, mentorship, and the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program.



ABOUT WOMEN IN TOYS, LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 1991, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is the leading global 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving women across the toy, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment industries. WiT empowers women to create, make, and monetize their expertise, connecting the economic value chain from concept to commerce through access, resources, and community.

With 25 chapters worldwide, WiT supports a diverse network of professionals at all career stages through impactful programming, mentorship, scholarship, and community-building. Our coalition of women and men is driving positive growth, reshaping the business landscape, and creating unparalleled opportunities for its members. 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

ABOUT WOMEN IN TOYS, LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 1991, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) / The WIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to advance women through leadership, networking and educational opportunities. WIT serves and supports women at all stages of their careers, from entrepreneurs and startups to seasoned industry veterans. The WIT Foundation grants scholarships to deserving students enrolled in industry-related undergraduate programs. WIT has 25 chapters throughout the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, France, the UK and Australia, with liaisons in Finland, Germany, India and Lebanon.

Sign up for our weekly WiT iNSIDER newsletter to keep up with WiT news, events, webinars, programs and more.

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (The WiT Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and global community that champions and advocates for the advancement of women through leadership, networking and educational opportunities.

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