September 15, 2024 – Los Angeles – Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is proud to announce its 2024 Wonder Women Winners, who were celebrated at the 19th annual Wonder Women Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The leading global organization focused on advancing and advocating for women in the toy, consumer products, licensing and entertainment industries, also honored Kitty Black Perkins, former Chief Barbie Designer at Mattel, with the Trailblazer Honoree Award.

The Wonder Women Awards honors female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers for their extraordinary accomplishments and impact.

The 2024 Wonder Women Award Winners Are:

• Advocate for Change: Lissa Alberto-Calma, The LEGO Group
• Brand Excellence: Hasbro’s Furby Development Team – Angie Northrup, David Laskowski, Holly Myhre, Joe LaPlante, Justin Pringle, Kevan MacIver, Kristin McKay, Melissa Jones, Robin Matusik, Shaun Cormier, Vivian Lee Kim

• Brand Franchise: Aimee London, Mattel
• Commercial Sales: Jazwares’ Commercial Sales Team, led by Elizabeth Kong and Kelly Bloom – Adam Hackney, Brent Reid, Connor Hinckley, Katy Peck

• Designer/Inventor – Corporate: Claudia D. Sandoval, Melissa & Doug
• Designer/Inventor – Small Business: Gayle Keller, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, LLC
• Digital Innovator: Sarah Braun, Amazon
• Digital Storyteller: Amanda Cioletti, Informa Markets
• Inbound Licensing: Alison Carroll, Mattel
• Licensing Agent: Michelle McLaughlin, Brand Activation Consulting
• Marketing: Lucy Bullock, Moose Toys
• Mentor of the Year: Belinda Gruebner, Moose Toys
• PR Excellence: Crystal Flynn, Hasbro, Inc. and Molly Quiring, Universal Products & Experiences
• Rising Leader < 500 Employees: Michelle Weber, Toy’n Around and Jenny Lorton, Toysmith
• Rising Leader > 500 Employees: Becca Griffin, Hasbro, Inc. and Sasha Bash, Amazon
• Small Business Owner of the Year: Anita Grant, Hello Hair
• Sustainability Excellence: Emilie Stinson Nosovic, The LEGO Group
• Unsung Hero < 500 Employees: Kimberly Carcone, The Toy Association and Allie Wachter, Just Play
• Unsung Hero > 500 Employees: Susan Abraham, Spin Master and Josephine Rotolo, Paramount Global

“Hosting the Wonder Women Awards in Los Angeles for the first time was exhilarating,” said Nancy Molenda and Ehi Oviasu-Kahn, Wonder Women Awards Co-Chairs. “The energy in the room was electric as hundreds of guests came together to recognize the trailblazers who are shaping the future of business. The innovation, tenacity and inspiration of our Wonder Women were on full display, making this inaugural LA gala a powerful testament to their remarkable achievements and ongoing influence.”

WiT also presented six $5,000 scholarships to outstanding students who’ve demonstrated leadership and academic excellence in their chosen fields of business, design, engineering and entrepreneurial studies. Presented by Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office, these six scholarship recipients were selected from a pool of over 500 applicants, earning their awards through exceptional merit.

WiT thanks its 2024 sponsors for their ongoing support and generous investment in driving positive change for women – including Amazon, Bandai Namco, Disney, Hasbro, Jazwares, The LEGO Group, Mattel, Paramount, and Spin Master, and the many sponsors who support the organization year-round. Proceeds from this event provide funding for vital programming and initiatives, and the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program.

ABOUT WOMEN IN TOYS, LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT
Founded in 1991, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) / WiT Foundation is a global 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves a diverse community of professionals at all stages of their career. As the premier voice in the toy, consumer products, licensing and entertainment industries advocating for gender equality and the advancement of women, WiT provides its members with a community of belonging that opens doors to people, resources and opportunity through programming, education and events. The WiT Foundation grants scholarships to deserving students enrolled in industry-related undergraduate programs. WiT has 25 chapters throughout the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, France, the UK and Australia, with liaisons in Finland, Germany, India, Israel and Lebanon. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.