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

How do you start your day?
Exercise is important to me both physically and mentally, so I start most mornings with a mix of cardio and weight training before my family wakes up. It’s one of the few moments in the day that’s entirely focused on resetting, recharging, and preparing for what’s ahead. After that, it’s all about getting my children ready for school and setting the tone for the day ahead.

What’s one item you always need on your desk?
My water bottle filled with electrolytes. Staying hydrated helps keep my energy levels up and my mind sharp throughout the day, especially when juggling multiple projects, partners, and markets.

What unique skill or characteristic do you bring to your team?
I’d say my mindset. Staying nimble and open to change is critical in this business. We’re operating in an industry that’s constantly evolving, whether it’s new generations of fans, shifts in retail, emerging technologies, or entirely new categories coming into play. Over time, I’ve learned the value of staying curious and really paying attention to what’s happening in culture and the market. There’s so much opportunity to innovate if you’re willing to look beyond what’s expected. That’s something I encourage across our teams and with our partners, pushing for ideas that feel fresh and relevant while still staying true to the heart of the brand.

What is something you learned at a previous job that prepared you for your current role?
Always put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Whether you’re working with retailers, licensees, colleagues, or consumers, understanding their perspective helps you make better decisions and build stronger relationships. It’s a simple principle, but one that has served me throughout my career. More often than not, taking the time to understand someone else’s priorities leads to better collaboration and, ultimately, a better outcome for everyone involved.

What is your favorite aspect of your current role?
The breadth of Hasbro’s portfolio is incredibly energizing. I’ve always loved translating brands into full worlds. At Hasbro, we think about our brands as ecosystems where everything connects, from consumer products and publishing to experiences and entertainment. It’s not just about individual launches; it’s about how all of those pieces come together to create something cohesive for fans. Peppa Pig is a great example. We’ve brought heartfelt, relatable storytelling to life through George’s hearing loss diagnosis in entertainment and extending it across publishing, updated costume characters at Peppa Pig Theme Parks, and thoughtfully designed consumer products rolling out throughout the year to create a connected world that families can engage with in multiple ways. When all of those elements connect, it creates a much richer, more immersive brand experience.

What is one thing you would change about the licensing industry?
I would love to see the industry move even faster when it comes to embracing emerging IP and cultural trends. The most exciting opportunities often come from unexpected places, whether that’s digital-first brands, creator-led communities, or international properties that are building momentum. While established brands will always have an important place in the market, there’s value in being able to identify and support the next generation of franchises earlier, helping partners capitalize on trends while they’re at their peak.

If you had an extra hour in your workday, how would you use it?
I would spend it reading and researching. Whether it’s tracking consumer trends, exploring new technologies, understanding shifts in entertainment, or studying innovative products and retail concepts, I’m always looking for inspiration. Some of the best ideas come from outside your immediate category, so I try to stay curious about as many industries as possible.

What is one thing you need to do every day to feel accomplished?
Clear my inbox! It sounds simple, but it gives me a sense of progress and helps me stay organized. In a role that involves so many conversations, projects, and moving pieces, having a clear inbox at the end of the day feels like a small but meaningful win.

Are you a carry-on or checked bag traveler?
Carry-on for short-haul trips, always. For longer international trips, I eventually give in and check a bag but I still try to travel as light as possible. After years of travel, I’ve learned that less luggage usually makes for a much smoother trip!

What do you always have in your suitcase on a work trip?
My Pop Mart x MY LITTLE PONY keychain, extra battery packs and, most importantly, a cuddly toy that one of my sons inevitably sneaks into my suitcase before I leave. Of course, my laptop is essential, but those small personal items help make being away from home a little easier and always make me smile when I unpack.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be focused on learning new languages and finding opportunities to use them around the world. I’ve always been fascinated by different cultures and how people connect through stories, entertainment, and brands. At the same time, I’ve always had an interest in fashion, so there’s a good chance I’d be trying to build my own fashion empire.

What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?
I would tell myself to move faster on what you’re seeing in the market. Trends don’t build as slowly as they used to and they don’t stay contained to one category or one region. If something is resonating, it can scale very quickly. The challenge is recognizing that early and having the confidence to act on it. My Little Pony x Kayou is a good example. It taps into the global trading card momentum, which has become a much bigger cultural phenomenon, not just a niche category. What started in China is now informing how we think about expansion into the U.S. and EMEA. That kind of cross-market learning is happening more and more. At the same time, continuing to diversify how we tell stories is key. Our publishing programs across Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and Transformers—spanning cookbooks, novels, and comics—allow us to reach fans in a variety of formats and entry points. That diversity is critical, as it ensures we’re connecting with audiences wherever and however they choose to engage, while building deeper, more resilient brand ecosystems. The bigger takeaway is to stay open and be willing to evolve. The brands that stay relevant are the ones that keep moving with their audience.

What are you most excited about moving forward?
There’s a lot of momentum right now, and that’s always energizing. Across the portfolio, we’re seeing strong engagement, new partnerships, and more opportunities to expand how our brands show up globally. What I find most exciting is how we’re continuing to build around moments that matter. The 40th anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie is a great example. The franchise’s year-long “Apology Tour” has really tapped into fan passion in a way that’s self-aware and celebratory, and it’s created a lot of energy around the brand that licensed partners are getting in on. More broadly, I’m excited about how we continue to evolve our brands into something bigger—not just products, but worlds that fans can engage with in different ways depending on where they are in their lives.