The Rising Star Award recognizes the next generation of leaders for their commitment, passion and contributions to the licensing industry. Since 2012, Rising Stars are nominated each year from across the international brand licensing community with winners being recognized during the Licensing International Excellence Awards Ceremony.
2021 Rising Stars
JAMES CHOI
Senior Associate, Ellalan
Based in Hong Kong
James Choi actively advises on landmark, precedent-setting copyright licensing litigation in Hong Kong regarding recording and karaoke licensing issues as a senior associate with Ellalan since 2016. He holds law degrees from Kings College London and University of Hong Kong as well as a Master of Arts in Sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
According to a nominator, James’ “ability to handle and advise clients, as well as to lead and nurture juniors to assist him in his licensing matters have made huge positive impact to the firm’s recent growth and expansion.”
ADDIE DORSEY GOOSSENS
Licensing Manager EMEA, Ubisoft
Based in France
Addie Dorsey Goossens began her licensing career with ZAG Entertainment in Los Angeles before joining Ubisoft in June 2019 in Paris. Addie manages the licensing out strategy for all Ubisoft brands across Europe, Middle East, and Africa including Ubisoft’s expansion into esports licensing categories. One executive said, “She is a very strategic business executive who understands that licensing is a marketing tool to support the core businesses. She has always impressed me with her business savvy and licensing knowledge.”
Addie holds a Master’s in Strategy & Management in International Business from ESSEC Business School along with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences from UC Irvine.
RACHEL HAK
Category Manager, Apparel/Accessories/Health & Beauty, Crayola
Based in U.S.
Rachel Hak began her licensing career at Freeze with stops at The Walt Disney Company and Centric Brands before arriving at Crayola as a category manager for outbound licensing in 2019. She launched Crayola’s first-ever children’s apparel program with Haddad Brands at the Macy’s inaugural STORY event and elevated the Crayola brand through collaborations with Adidas, LeSportsac, Shinola, and Isaac Mizrahi.
According to one licensing executive, Rachel “believes in the power of brand licensing and is always ideating new ways to partner with prospective companies. Her natural curiosity and creative and positive energy make her a great representative for our company and the industry overall.” Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
KEVIN RAMSEY
Founder and CEO, Warren James
Based in U.S.
Kevin Ramsey founded Warren James two years ago, following stints at Jazwares and Roblox, to develop custom merchandise, apparel, and e-commerce solutions for some of the largest content creators on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok including Aphmau, ItsFunneh, and Annoying Orange. Since its launch, the company has grown to 44 people with offices in Los Angeles, Guangzhou, and Manilla while helping to define standard DTC and DTR deals for content creators.
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Kevin’s “entire career has been focused on leveraging gaming and content creator’s online audiences to drive engagement and product purchases in both retail stores and online. The passion and work Kevin has put into the creator economy have increased the exposure and opportunities for this genre of content within the licensing industry,” according to one licensing executive.
JYOTI SARDANA
Sr. Manager of Licensing Strategy and Operations, OneTeam Partners
Based in U.S.
Jyoti Sardana began her licensing career with the NFL Players Association before moving to OneTeam Partners as employee #4 in 2020. She has developed the licensing program for Women’s National Basketball Players Association, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Players Association, and Major League Soccer Players Association as well as the NFL Players Association and Major League Baseball Players Association.
“Jyoti’s efforts have had an outsized influence in establishing a market for officially licensed products for professional women’s athletes. The momentum for these licensed products is now apparent and Jyoti’s work in this regard has been influential,” according to a nominator. Jyoti holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Maryland.
CAROLINA VERDUGO
Director of Brand Management, Beanstalk
Based in U.S.
Carolina Verdugo joined Beanstalk in 2018 following stops at Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. She leads the agency’s efforts in Mexico and Latin America for Diageo and expanded the Bailey’s food licensing program into LATAM markets with industry leaders in key categories. One of Carolina’s nominators said, “Carolina’s excellent work on prospecting and client service played an integral part in Beanstalk expanding the Diageo business in Latin America. A major strength of Carolina’s is her ability to see the bigger picture, think strategically, and take initiative.”
Carolina holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business/Trade/Commerce from San Diego State University.
Rising Star Criteria
Age
35 years old and under
Experience
Minimum three to maximum seven years of experience in licensing
Commitment
Demonstrates a commitment to and passion for the brand licensing industry
Development
Seeks additional professional development opportunities to improve skills
Innovative
Has shown innovation in their work
Leadership
Demonstrates leadership capabilities
As a member of Rising Stars network of licensing professionals, recipients will enjoy:
Complimentary Access to the Certification of Licensing Studies Program
Feature Article in Licensing International’s NewsLinks
Year of Mentoring with a Seasoned Licensing Professional
Opportunity to Mentor Future Rising Stars
Past Rising Stars
Mariana Orvañanos
La Panadería Licensing & Marketing
Nick Manzo
Seltzer Licensng Group
Leon Maratchi
Cartoon Network
Peter Cross
Broad Street Licensing Group
Mimi Nicosia
CPG, Nickelodeon
Mandy Bardisbanian
Hot Topic
Meghan Mernin
Epic Rights
Sally Russell
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Fernanda Coutinho
Beanstalk
Danielle Tanton
DHX Brands, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Scott Halpern
WWE
Yuki Jinza
Laura Ashley Japan Co.
Curtis Matthews
Striker Entertainment
Ryan McDonald
NFL Players Association
Lauren Montemaro
Beanstalk
Will Ochoa
Turner
Claire Pierce
Meredith Coporation
Becky Quinn
Sesame Workshop
Naomi Rosenzweig
Berkshire Fashions
Nancy Sanieoff
Brand Central
Andi Scher
Richmond Management Group
Nicole Silberstein
License Global magazine & Conference Director, NYC Licensing Summit

Samantha Yang
Shanghai Skynet Brand Management Corp

Ivonne Feliciano
Sesame Workshop

Kelley Davison
Added Extras

Lauren Fields
Brand Central LLC

Marisa Marionakis
Cartoon Network

Will Depippo
Sesame Workshop

Caitlin Gutekunst
Mind Candy

Andrew Ostrom
Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Jess Richardson
WWE

Anthony Shaut
Spielman Koenigsberg & Parker LLP

David Tovey
Mind Candy
