2025 WINNERS

SUZY RAIA

BBC Studios Global Consumer Products Team

Brand Franchise

ALEX YEE

Disney

Catalyst for Change (over 500)

SERENA FADLUN

Designer/ Inventor - Independent

HOLLIE HOLMES

Moose Toys

Inbound Licensing

TAL SCHRIEBER

Spin Master

Mentor of the Year

MEGAN MARGOLIS

Hasbro, Inc.

Rising Leader (over 500)

STEPHANIE NORTH
Just Play

Unsung Hero (over 500)

RACHELE HARMUTH
MESH Helps & CrunchLabs

Catalyst for Change (under 500)

TARA GARTMAN

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

Commercial Excellence

CHRISTINE TRAN

Amazon

Digital Innovator

HEIDI SCHWARTZ

Universal Branding & Media

Licensing Agent/ Agency

SARA ROSALES MONTALVO

Jazwares

PR & Communication Excellence

JUSTINE TIU

The Woobles

Small Business Entreprenuer of the Year

STEPHANIE FISCHER

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc.

Unsung Hero (over 500)

GENNA ROSENBERG
GennComm

Catalyst for Change (under 500)

KATE FAKONAS

Hasbro, Inc.

Designer/ Inventor -
Corporate

KRISTIN SIZE

LEGO Systems Inc.

Emerging Technology Leader

KATIE BUFORD

Mattel

Marketing Visionary

AUDREY TORRENCE

Basic Fun!

Rising Leader (under 500)

ASHLEE VIRTUE

Relatable

Unsung Hero (under 500)

JULIEN SHARP

Asmodee

WiT Champion

Past Winners

Retailer of the Year Honoree – Gaye Dean
Mentorship Award Honoree– Pam Kaufman
Creator/Inventor – Amy Pruzansky – Spin Master
Licensing – Gabriela Arenas – Sesame Workshop
Manufacturing – Nancy Sanchez – LEGO Systems, Inc.
Marketing/ Public Relations – Juli Lennett – NPD
Rising Star – Chrissy Helmich – Wicked Cool Toys
Rising Star – Kate Nichols – Spin Master
Rising Star – Marissa Louie – Animoodles
Rising Star – Natalie Rebot – Moonlite World
Sales – Marian Bossard – The Toy Association
Social Responsibility – Amy Knight – Hasbro
Wonder Girls – Emma and Mila Stauffer

Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree – Norma Rosenhain
Elise Lachowyn Mentorship Award – Nancy Zwiers
Wonder Girl Award – Ariana Gentry
Creator/Inventor – Sydney Wiseman – WowWee Ltd.
Licensing – Menal McGrath – Moose Toys
Manufacturer – Diana Young – Spin Master
Marketing – Julie Christopher – Entertainment One
Public Relations – Susan Murphy – Coyne PR
Retailer – Cindy Levitt – Hot Topic
Rising Star – Ali Mierzejewski – The Toy Insider
Rising Star – Stephanie Mendoza – Sesame Workshop
Sales – Donna Moore – TTPM

Entertainment – Andre Lake Mayer – ZAG
Licensing – Jennifer Bennett – Mattel
Manufacturing – Laura Zebersky – Jazwares
Marketing – Lisa Wuennemann – PlayMonster
Rising Star – Karen Kilpatrick – JazWings
Rising Star – Kathryn Hardy – Disney
Rising Star – Marissa DiBartolo – The Toy Book
Rising Star – Nikki Kennamer – Hasbro
Rising Star – Stephanie Haggerty – Moose Toys
Rising Star – Julie Kerwin – IAmElemental

WIT Founders Honorees – Anne Pitrone & Susan Matsumoto
Game Changer Honoree – Mattel / Fashionista Dolls
Wonder Girl – Sydney & Toni Loew – Poketti
Retailer – Anne Marie Kehoe – Walmart
Manufacturer – Cat Demas – Spin Master
Designer/Inventor – Jacqui Tobias – Moose Toys
Licensing/Entertainment – Joan Grasso – Entertainment One
Social Responsibility – Joan Lawrence – Toy Industry Association
Marketing – Kimberly Willis Boyd – Hasbro
Rising Star – Laura Guilbault – Hasbro
Social Influencer – Melissa & Gracie Hunter – Mommy & Gracie Show/ Family Video Network
Public Relations – Tara Tucker – Spin Master

Lifetime Achievement – Ann Kearns – Sesame Workshop
Wonder Girl – Lyla Black – Lyla Tov Monsters
People’s Choice – Elaine Blackmore Carovilla – Disney Consumer Products
Designer or Inventor – Ditte Buun Pedersen – LEGO Future Lab
Licensing & Entertainment – Samantha Freeman – Out of the Blue
Licensing & Entertainment – Angela Santomero – Out of the Blue
Manufacturer – Irene Li – The Bridge Direct
Marketing/Advertising – Tamara Stewart – Moose Toys
PR/Social Media – Julie Duffy – Hasbro
Retailer – Eva Lorenz – Amazon.com
Rising Star – Alice Brooks – Roominate
Rising Star – Bettina Chen – Roominate
Social Responsibility – Deborah Dicochea – Mattel, Inc.

Designer or Inventor – Kiyomi Haverly – Mattel Global Brands
Licensing & Entertainment – Naz Cuevas – Rovio Entertainment Inc.
Licensing & Entertainment – Donna Tobin – Hasbro, Inc.
Lifetime Achievement – Rita Raiffe – GUND
Manufacturer – Stefanie Barone – MZ Berger
Marketing – Susie Lecker – Fisher-Price
Public Relations – Michele Litzky – Litzky Public Relations
Retailer – Christina Jansa – Target
Rising Star – Debra Sterling – GoldieBlox

Designer or Inventor – Nancy Zwiers – Funosophy
Licensing & Entertainment – Lourdes Arocho – Nickelodeon Consumer Products
Lifetime Achievement Award – Cathy Meredith – Hasbro
Manufacturer – Gale Jarvis Alexander Doll Co.
Marketing or Branding – Alita Friedman – Pretty Ugly, LLC
PR * Social Media – Jen Derevensky – Ren Beanie Public Relation
Socially Responsible – Jean Butler – The Toy Industry Foundation
Retailer – Leila Nosrati – Toys R Us
Rising Star – Caitlin Gutekunst – Mind Candy
Superman Award – Carter Keithley – The TIA
Superman Award – Jay Foreman – The Bridge

Designer or Inventor – Lori Rotter – Blip Toys

Entrepreneur – Laurie Zoob Hyman – Green Toys

Journalism and Social Media – Jackie Breyer – Adventure Publishing

Licensing Agent – Jennifer Richmond – Richmond Management Group

Licensee – Lauren Whitehead – JAKKS Pacific

Licensor – JoAnn McLaughlin – Disney Consumer Products

Life Time Achievement – Joanne Oppenheim – Oppenheim Toy Portfolio

Manufacturer – Jennifer Caveza – JAKKS Pacific

Marketing, Advertising and Branding – Sasha Junk– Kidz Bop

Publishing – Laurie Schacht – Adventure Publishing

Public Relations and Communications – Janis VanTine – Imperial Toy

Retailer of the Year – Lori Costley – Walmart

Rising Star – Elizabeth Miller – Hasbro

Sales – Renee Lochhead – Spin Master

Social Responsibility – Deidre Lind – Mattel

Designer/Inventor – Leslie Scott, Oxford Games

Entrepreneur – Melanie Corpstein, Adorable Originals

Green – Ewa Martinoff, Shainsware

Licensor – Ann Kearns, Global Toys – Sesame Workshop

Licensing Agent – Patti Becker, Becker Associates

Manufacturer – Bryony Bouyer, Hasbro

Online Social Networker – Lisa Orman, KidStuff Public Relations

Retailer – Bernadette Voelker, QVC

Women to Watch:

Genna Rosenberg, JAKKS Pacific

Consultant – Stephanie Azzarone, Child’s Play Communications

Designer/Inventor – Fanny Wong, Fanny’s Playhouse

Entrepreneur

Mary Couzin, Chitag

Mia Galison, Eeboo

Maureen McHale, McHale Design

Green – Sarah Alvarez & Debbie Smith, Idbids

Manufacturer – Sharon John, Hasbro

Licensor – Leigh Anne Brodsky, Nick and Viacom Consumer Products

Licensing Agent – Carlin West, 4Kids Entertainment

Retailer – Laura Phillips, Wal-Mart

Women to Watch:

Jill Waller, Cranium

Elizabeth Werner, iVillage

In Memoriam

Annette Shelley, Annette Shelley Inc

Consultant – Lisa Orman, KidStuff Public Relations

Designer/Inventor – Melone Griffiths, Hasbro

Entrepreneur – Laura Rangel & Lisa Steen Proctor, KidsGive

Licensor – Holly Rawlinson, Pokemon USA

Manufacturer – Julia Fitzgerald, Vtech Electronics

Retailer – Ellen Hearney Mizer, Barnes & Noble

Women to Watch:

Samantha Lomow, Hasbro

Judy Ellis, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

Jill Gaynor, Beyond Learning

In Memoriam

Martine Redman Donofrio

Designer/Inventor – Judy Shackelford, Shackelford & Associates

Entrepreneur – Debra Fine, Small World Kids

Manufacturer – Lynne Rosenblum, Overbreak

Retailer – Melody Young, Toysrus.com

Women to Watch:

Liane Czirjak, Oregon Scientific

Julie Dix & Danielle Ayotte, Taggies

Elise Lachowyn, Spin Master, Ltd.

Kimberly Kociencki, Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE)

Retailer of the Year - Amazon – Anne Carrihil

Icon Award – Jojo Siwa
Changemaker Award Honoree– Steven Wolfe Pereira

Rising Star - Licensee / Manufacturer - Dr. Lisa Williams - The World of EPI

Rising Star - Designer / Inventor - Vanessa Fung - Universal Brand Development

Rising Star - Deal Maker - Brittany Oliver - ZURU

Unsung Hero - Maggie Snow- Mattel

Storyteller - Azhelle Wade - The Toy Coach

Deal Make r- Paula Kupfer - Hasbro

Covid Hero - The LEGO Group

Social Good - Sarah Knott - Hasbro

Marketing / PR - Arlene Biran - Spin Master

Licensee/Manufacturer - Amanda Bright - Spin Master

Licensor / Entertainment - Jess Wolfe - Rebel Girls

Designer / Inventor - Kenna O’Brien - Mattel
Rising Star Licensor/Entertainment – Tiffany Suzuki – Crunchyroll
Rising Star Marketing /PR– Sakita Withers – PlayMonster
Rising Star Social Good – Penny Bauder – Green Kids Crafts
Rising Star Storyteller – Rupa Parekh – Umani Studio
Unsung Hero – Amanda Marschall – The Lego Group

Wonder Girl - Alaya High- That Girl Lay Lay - Paramount

Changemaker of the Year Honoree – Stephanie McMahon
Mentorship Award Honoree– Pam Lifford
Designor/Inventor – Angie Cella - GemC2, Blinger
Licensor/ Entertainment – Glenda Beltran – ViacomCBS
Licensee / Manufacturing – Anna Mowbray – ZURU
Marketing/ Public Relations – Krista Berger – Mattel
Rising Star Corporate – Elaine Chang – Disney
Rising Star Corporate– Maddie Michalik – The Toy Book
Rising Star Independent – Jill Waters – Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld
Rising Star Independent – Madison Robinson – FishFlops
Social Responsibility – Nancy Molenda – Mattel

Visionary Leader Honoree – Laura Zebersky

Trailblazer Honoree – Lisa Mcknight

Future Leader Honoree - Nyla Hayes

Brand Franchise: Meredith Norrie, Mattel

Commercial Sales: Kristen Shackleford, Amazon

Creative Genius: Carly McGinnis, Exploding Kittens

Designer/Inventor (Corporate): Sunno Cho, Jazwares

Designer/Inventor (Independent): Britney Crowell, CurlCap

Digital Storytelling: Alexandra Kavalova, Spin Master

Inbound Licensing: Tanya Thompson, Hasbro, Inc.

Marketing: Jonelle Brown, Paramount

PR/Communications: Molly Martin, The LEGO Group

Rising Leader (<500 Employees): Amy Bastuga, Radio Flyer; and Kim Chang, Just Play

Rising Leader (>500 Employees): Adeline Trento, Toys”R”Us at Macys; and Angela Beck, Mattel

Social Impact (Corporate): Pamela Krominga, Target

Social Impact (Independent): April Showers, Afro Unicorn

Trailblazer Honoree: Kitty Black Perkins

Advocate for Change: Lissa Alberto-Calma, The LEGO Group

Brand Excellence: The Furby Development Team, Hasbro, Inc.

Brand Franchise: Aimee London, Mattel

Commercial Sales: Elizabeth Kong & Kelly Bloom, Jazwares

Designer/Inventor - Corporate: Claudia D. Sandoval, Melissa & Doug

Designer/Inventor - Small Business/Entrepreneur: Gayle Keller, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, LLC

Digital Innovator: Sarah Braun, Amazon

Digital Storyteller: Amanda Cioletti, Informa Markets

Inbound Licensing: Alison Carroll, Mattel

Licensing Agent: Michelle McLaughlin, Brand Activation Consulting

Marketing: Lucy Bullock, Moose Toys

Mentor of the Year: Belinda Gruebner, Moose Toys

PR Excellence: Crystal Flynn, Hasbro, Inc.

PR Excellence: Molly Quiring, Universal Products & Experiences

Rising Leader < 500: Jenny Lorton, Toysmith

Rising Leader < 500: Michelle Weber, Toy'n Around

Rising Leader > 500: Becca Griffin, Hasbro, Inc.

Rising Leader > 500: Sasha Bash, Amazon

Small Business Owner of the Year: Anita Grant, Hello Hair

Sustainability Excellence: Emilie Stinson Nosovic, The LEGO Group

Unsung Hero < 500: Allie Wachter, Jusy Play

2025 Winners

Brand Franchise

Catalyst for Change (over 500)

Designer/ Inventor - Independent

Inbound Licensing

Mentor of the Year

Rising Leader (over 500)

Unsung Hero (over 500)

Catalyst for Change (under 500)

Commercial Excellence

Digital Innovator

Licensing Agent/ Agency

PR & Communication Excellence

Small Business Entreprenuer of the Year

Unsung Hero (over 500)

Catalyst for Change (under 500)

Designer/ Inventor - Corporate

Emerging Technology Leader

Marketing Visionary

Rising Leader (under 500)

Unsung Hero (under 500)

WiT Champion

Past Winners

Trailblazer Honoree – Lisa Mcknight

Future Leader Honoree - Nyla Hayes​

​​

Designer/ Inventor -
Corporate

Future Leader Honoree - Nyla Hayes