The global licensing community is powered by an incredible group of professionals whose diverse backgrounds and creative energy drive innovation and excellence. Each week we’re profiling one of these professionals in this ongoing series.

How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)?
I started my career as a brand manager at Mattel and worked on licensed toys for Nickelodeon, Disney, and Warner Bros. I loved my role and realized my passion encompassed all aspects of a brand and serving fans across multiple categories and experiences. I was lucky to get my consumer products break with Warner Bros., where I cut my teeth on live-action television licensing (Bazinga! tees, anyone?). This was super exciting as I was able to leverage my toy/manufacturing/brand experience and expand into fashion, location-based entertainment, home, and licensed advertising.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
It’s a thrilling challenge and incredibly fulfilling. Anime is just so unique! Creative and analytical challenges, strategic opportunities, local and global initiatives, and my favorite part—collaborating with amazing team members and licensing partners. At Crunchyroll, consumer products is especially interesting because our company is at the forefront of this exciting time in entertainment where streaming, technology, and fandom is evolving rapidly, and we have a company culture to innovate, take risks, and try things unheard of at larger consumer products organizations.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
I haven’t achieved it yet—we have so much more coming and that we’re cooking up! But I would say being a part of anime and building Crunchyroll’s consumer products business and team continues to be a highlight in my career.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
The continuing expansion of all things digital as a medium, product, and way of life—especially for younger generations. My niece once said, “internet is life” and she’s right in many ways. It has changed how we buy, consume, experience brands, and find trends.

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
We have phenomenal demand and being able to scale fast enough to maximize the potential has been the biggest challenge.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
The ability to think both creatively and analytically. And unbridled passion!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
I have so many favorite quotes, but lately it’s been Virgil – “Fortune favors the bold.”

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
My old HBO colleagues did an amazing job with Game of Thrones, and one of my favorite deals is their White Walker by Johnnie Walker product.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
I think I would be at a CPG company like Pepsi (I would have loved to be there with Indra Nooyi) or Estée Lauder.

The last licensed product I bought was…
I have an eight-year-old son, so, Pokémon. Definitely Pokémon.