The Licensing Letter

Women in Toys Unveils 2025 Wonder Women Awards Finalists

By Gary Symons

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) has announced the finalists for the 2025 Wonder Women Awards.

The event is held annually to celebrate the outstanding women shaping the future of toys, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment. The annual gala will take place on Thursday, September 11 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, under the theme “All That Glitters Is Truly Gold.”

Highlighting the evening’s celebration is the presentation of the 2025 WiT Vanguard Award to Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris.

Rogers is being recognized for transforming the iconic and influential video game brand into a global lifestyle franchise. The Vanguard Award honors individuals who redefine industry boundaries through visionary leadership, creativity, and a strong commitment to inclusion and purpose.

“Our finalists represent the very best of our industry,” said co-chairs Nancy Molenda and Deirdre Cross in a statement. “This year’s finalists and our honoree Maya Rogers are shaping the future with bold vision, inclusive leadership, and a deep commitment to community.

“We’re honored to recognize their extraordinary impact.”

Voting for the Wonder Women Awards will be open to WiT members from July 14 through August 1, with winners announced live at the awards gala.

WiT is a global nonprofit supporting women across the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries through mentorship, programming, and community. For more information, to reserve tickets, or to view the finalists online, visit: www.womenintoys.com/wonder-woman-awards.

Below is the full list of finalists for the 2025 Wonder Women Awards:

Brand Franchise

  • Anna Songco Adamian, Crunchyroll

  • Esra Cafer & Kristin McKay, Hasbro, Inc.

  • Jamie Drew, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

  • Laura Henderson, Spin Master

  • Maddie Boushie, LEGO Systems, Inc.

  • Melissa Rodriguez, Universal Products & Experiences

  • Ruth Henriquez, Mattel

  • Suzy Lee Raia, BBC Studios

  • Taryn Johnson, Disney Consumer Products

Catalyst for Change (Under 500 Employees)

  • Dr. Amanda Gummer, Fundamentally Children

  • Genna Rosenberg, GennComm

  • Juliana VanLaanen, 2MamaBees

  • Katie Goldstein, SuperAwesome

  • Lisa Boatman, Exploding Kittens

  • Nana Bouwens, Tears R Us

  • Rachele Harmuth, MESH Helps and CrunchLabs

Catalyst for Change (Over 500 Employees)

  • Alex Yee, Disney

  • Arianna Ryan, Asmodee

  • Carolina Giuga, LEGO Systems, Inc.

  • Kate Zahra, Moose Toys

Commercial Excellence

  • Amy Sullivan, Cloudco Entertainment

  • Ashley Emig, Melissa & Doug, Spin Master

  • Carrie Mueller, VTech Electronics North America

  • Celica Costantino, Ageless Innovation

  • Chelsea Wood, Relatable

  • Daniela Cavinatto, LEGO Systems, Inc.

  • Emily Maclennan, Moose Toys

  • Fiona Hardie, Amazon

  • Holly Sestak, Disney

  • Lauren Adelsberger Harmer & Megan Fenningham, Jazwares

  • Megan Sapin, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America

  • Sara Humphreys, Hasbro, Inc.

  • Tara Gartman, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

  • Tara George, Mattel

  • Tracy Rapose, Just Play

Designer/Inventor – Corporate

  • Audrey Freda Tam, Moose Toys

  • Brianna “Bree” Woodward, Asmodee

  • Danielle Gleason, CrunchLabs

  • Emma Peat, Spin Master

  • Harmony Hines-Slattery, Disney Parks

  • Jihye Kim, Just Play

  • Kate Fakonas, Hasbro, Inc.

  • Mari Sunderland, LeapFrog Global/VTech

  • Michele Adamsen, Playmates Toys Inc.

  • Miya Kim, Jazwares

  • Rebecca Shipman, Mattel

  • Stephanie Kraus, Universal Products & Experiences

  • Sung Park, Disney Licensing

Designer/Inventor – Small Business / Entrepreneur

  • April Mitchell, 4A’s Creations, LLC

  • Carla Schneider, WubbaNub

  • Ellie Dix, The Dark Imp

  • Morgan Uhl, Knobēz

  • Sally Connolly, Napa Valley Toys USA

  • Serena Fadlun

Digital Innovator

  • Amanda Muller, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

  • Christine Tran, Amazon

  • Daisy Ritz, Exploding Kittens

  • Jess Kirkman, Mattel

  • Katherine Schober, Jazwares

  • Lindsey Pitts, LEGO Systems, Inc.

  • Marjory Laymon, Hasbro, Inc.

  • Ray Billings, The Op Games

Emerging Technology Leader

  • Aditi Mittal, Amazon

  • Carrie Buse, Mattel

  • Deborah Stallings Stumm, FUNfluential

  • Hannah Grant, SuperAwesome

  • Kristin Size, LEGO Systems, Inc.

Inbound Licensing

  • Amy Jarashow, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

  • Charlotte Payne, Cloudco Entertainment

  • Donyelle Evans, Mattel

  • Hollie Holmes, Moose Toys

  • Kathleen Lin Wo, LEGO Systems, Inc.

  • Kathryn Hardy, Just Play

  • Marianne James, Hasbro, Inc.

Licensing Agent / Agency

  • Carla Silva, King Features – a unit of Hearst

  • Heidi Schwartz, Universal Branding & Media

  • Laurie Smith, The Brand Liaison

Marketing Visionary

  • Audrey Cao, The Woobles

  • Elizabeth Ing, Entertainment Earth

  • Estelle Vareilles, Asmodee

  • Georgia Manolas Walker, Playmates Toys Inc.

  • Holly Koval, Spin Master

  • Jillian Schumacher, Brotherwise Games

  • Julie Poulter, Moose Toys

  • Karen Balduf, VTech Electronics North America

  • Katie Buford, Mattel

  • Kelly Ryan, Amazon

  • Kristeen Tibbits, Cloudco Entertainment

  • Meghan Quinn, Just Play

Mentor of the Year

  • Alysha Curtis, Moose Toys

  • Jessica Schultz, Just Play

  • Jill Strain, LEGO Systems Inc.

  • Karen Branson, Relatable

  • Laura Christy, Jazwares

  • Morgan Renken, Entertainment Earth

  • Tal Schrieber, Spin Master

PR Excellence

  • Caleigh Anthony, Spin Master

  • Elisa Martinez, Mattel

  • Elizabeth Foster, Licensing International

  • Lucy Silag, Amazon

  • Rachel Sandler, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

  • Sara Rosales Montalvo, Jazwares

Rising Leader (Under 500 Employees)

  • Audrey Torrence, Basic Fun, Inc.

  • Berit Ginsberg, King Features – a unit of Hearst

  • Haley Hinshaw, CrunchLabs

  • Joyce Sprau, Creata (USA) Inc.

  • Kellee Vopelak, Exploding Kittens

  • Liz Starry, Relatable

  • Michelle Hawthorn, Born To Play

Rising Leader (Over 500 Employees)

  • Angie Oung, Moose Toys

  • Catherine Sutherland, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

  • Deborah Strumpf, Mattel

  • Elaine Chase, Ravensburger

  • Jackeline Gonzalez, Universal Products & Experiences

  • Jayme Thompson, Just Play

  • Jennifer Nelson, LEGO Systems Inc.

  • Megan Margolis, Hasbro, Inc.

  • Minna Seifert, Spin Master

  • Serina Fignole, Jazwares

  • Taylor Mason, Amazon

  • Tiffany Lavery, VTech Electronics North America

Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year

  • Brea Brand, CONNETIX

  • Heather O’Neill, 9th Level Games

  • Helen Smith, Roo & You™

  • Justine Tiu, The Woobles

  • Kusuma Reddy, The Culturorama

  • Macy Schmidt, Overture Global Entertainment

  • Marjorie Spitalnik, Little Rebels

  • Rachel Neill, Figgy

Unsung Hero (Under 500 Employees)

  • Aly Ard, CrunchLabs

  • Amy Baker, Exploding Kittens

  • Ashlee Virtue, Relatable

  • Cheyanne Huke, Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld

  • Christina Smith, Miniature Market

  • Gabi Mattinson, Cloudco Entertainment

  • Helen Xu, The Woobles

  • Maria Ungaro, Licensing International

Unsung Hero (Over 500 Employees)

  • Cameron Brown, Amazon

  • Céline Bucki, Asmodee

  • Kathy Casey, Mattel

  • Katie Generazio, Hasbro, Inc.

  • Keren Globus, Jazwares

  • Libby Birch, Moose Toys

  • Stephanie Fischer, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc.

  • Stephanie North, Just Play

  • Tina Colantuono, LEGO Systems Inc.

WiT Champion

  • Gabby Diaz, LEGO Systems Inc.

  • Julien Sharp, Asmodee

  • Robin Darling, Mattel

  • Stacy Lewis, StacyLoo

  • Stacy Liebensohn, The Toy Association