TLL Staff
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) has announced key changes to its Board of Directors, including the appointment of a new board chair.
The organization says this move underscores WiT’s ongoing commitment to championing the advancement of women in the toy, licensing and entertainment industries.
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Ehi Oviasu-Kahn (pictured above) will take over as Chairwoman of the Board, succeeding outgoing President Janice Ross. Oviasu-Kahn, an attorney, artist, and the visionary founder of Little Art, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the role. Her proven ability to build coalitions with policy leaders, stakeholders, and nonprofit organizations positions her to guide WiT into a new era of growth and impact.
Joining Oviasu-Kahn are four new board members, each set to serve a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2024. These leaders, with their exceptional leadership skills, vast experience, and commitment to WiT’s vision and values, are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the organization. The new board members include:
- Aneisha Vieira, Global Brand Director, ZURU
- DeeDee Wright-Ward, Founder & CEO, Purpose Toys LLC
- Gena Lavallee, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Make It Real
- Julien Sharp, General Manager, U.S., Asmodee
WiT also announced the reelection of four current board members for a second term:
- Amy Thompson, EVP & Chief People Officer, Mattel
- Kristi Wasmer, Senior Sales Executive
- Michelle Weber, EVP, Toy’n Around
- Shawn Smith, Founder, Shawn Smith Communications
As Ross steps down from her role as president, she expressed pride in the progress made during her tenure and optimism for the organization’s future under Oviasu-Kahn’s leadership. Ross also said the incoming and reelected board members bring a diverse range of talents that are expected to drive the organization to new heights.
WiT says the collective efforts of WiT’s Board of Directors play a pivotal role in guiding the organization’s strategic direction and shaping programs to empower women in the industry. With this strengthened leadership team, WiT is poised to make an even greater transformative impact, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for women seeking to work in the toy, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment industries.
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is a global business networking organization. Its mission is to support, inspire, educate, and promote growth and opportunity for women working in or seeking to work in the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries.