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)?
My first job was at Sesame Workshop, working across global toys, soft lines, and themed entertainment licensing on the Sesame Street brand. It was like a childhood dream come true and I learned brand management from the very best in the business. From there, I joined Brandgenuity, where my focus has been on marketing, business development, product development, and client services, as well as working closely with our international offices to support growth in those regions. Having client-side experience at the start of my career positioned me to protect my clients and their brands, since I was once on their side of the table. Brandgenuity is thrilled to welcome three new clients at the start of 2024, Nissan, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Royal Shakespeare Company.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
One of the things I love about working for Brandgenuity is that every day is different. Every brand, every product, and every marketing campaign is unique. I love having the chance to be creative and to work on brands that I truly admire and am a consumer of, like Mike’s Hot Honey. This is a brand that disrupted the honey category and it’s a product I personally bought long before it was ready for licensing, and to now help it extend into multiple categories and aisles across the store is very exciting.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is successfully balancing career and family. It’s important to me to not only go above and beyond to excel in my work and career, but to also be available to my family. I don’t want to miss a thing because, like they say, the days are long, but the years are short. I believe in demonstrating hard work and creativity to my children, and to also be an engaged mom who is a part of their activities. I am lucky to work for a company that encourages this balance.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
I continue to be amazed by the explosion in food and beverage licensing across so many categories over the last few years. It is a core competency and a personal passion of mine, so it has been fun to see new innovations and food collaborations that are unexpected and buzzworthy but also brand building.

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
The world is constantly evolving, and we pride ourselves on always having our finger on the pulse of what’s new, what’s trending, and how to leverage it all in our work—both in the short and long term. For example, how can we use AI to better service our clients, hone our pitches, or help to provide underlying research that helps support new ideas?

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
Flexibility, nimbleness, a willingness to adapt, and to approach every situation and challenge with a problem-solving hat on are essential skills for success in this industry. An openness to the rapidly evolving consumer and retail landscape and connecting those dots for licensors and licensees.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
I try to follow the mantra of work hard, be kind, and have fun. This is the amalgamation of a lifetime of teachings from my parents and insights from my mentors, distilled to the simplest form. I try to carry this with me every day. Always give it your best, do it with kindness, and enjoy everything you can, as much and as often as possible.

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
The Urban Decay x Game of Thrones eyeshadow palette, celebrating the end of one of the greatest television shows in history, still remains one of my personal favorite licensed products. It was so immersive in its details, from the design of the box to the colors and the naming conventions of the eye shadows. This was a true in-world experience. Authenticity in licensing is crucial—without it, a licensed product cannot succeed, as fans and consumers can spot inauthenticity a mile away. This was an item that elevated the brand and delivered on the experience for the true fan. It remains one of my favorite possessions!

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
I would be a baker and full-time content creator, building my own baking brand to be ready for licensing some day!

The last licensed product I bought was…
I purchased so many licensed products before and during our family trip to Disney World this past January!