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 profile one of these professionals in this ongoing series.

How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)?
I got into licensing while studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). During my junior year, I took a required class that focused entirely on licensing. It covered inbound and outbound licensing and everything in between. Looking back, I’m not sure if I found licensing or if licensing found me, but that class sparked a genuine interest that has stayed with me ever since.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
A typical day for me is all about Bluey. I’m involved in meetings with our licensor BBC Studios, helping create marketing plans for the coolest toys, collaborating with our global team on future line development, and brainstorming creative ways to bring the fun and magic of Bluey toys to kids everywhere.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
My biggest personal accomplishment is turning my dyslexia into a strength. It has taught me to think outside the box, approach problems creatively, and persevere even when things get tough.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
The biggest shift I’ve seen in recent years is the move from celebrity-driven partnerships to influencer-led collaborations. These days, the bigger the influencer, the bigger the buzz (and the bigger the collaboration).

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
What keeps me up at night? Knowing I work on Bluey, the #1 preschool brand, which basically makes me feel like I’m managing the Taylor Swift of children’s entertainment. The pressure is real.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
A skill every licensing executive should have is the ability to stay a kid at heart. Another is to know when to say no. In licensing, the sky’s the limit, but that doesn’t mean every idea should make it to market. Having the imagination to dream big and the judgment to stay grounded is key.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received came from a teacher: “If the answer is no, you’re not asking the question correctly.”

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
My favorite licensing deal of all time has to be the 2009 Stella McCartney x Gap Kids collaboration. I was way too excited as a kid to own that jacket; it basically made me feel like the most fashionable 10-year-old on the playground.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
If I weren’t working in the world of licensing, I’d probably be a preschool teacher—finger painting, snack breaks, and story time? Sign me up. Honestly, wrangling preschoolers and managing brand approvals aren’t that different.

The last licensed product I bought was…
The last licensed item I bought was a Snoopy Baggu—practical and cute!