WiT - Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment

What does it take to be a leader? To inspire others? To break barriers? WiT Executive Director Angelina C. sat down with some of our amazing board members for a conversation about mentorship, career-defining moments, and the advice they’d share with future leaders. Here are just a few gems from the discussion: ? “Don’t wait for permission—take initiative.” – Michelle Weber ? “Own your narrative. The world will try to define you—don’t let it.” – Natasha Tous ? “Your presence at the table is a catalyst for change.” – Deirdre Cross Read the full blog here: https://bit.ly/3FM8ngb #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #Leadership #WiTBoard #Empowerment

Are you coming to our next Casual Fridays event? If you haven't joined one yet, make this your first! What are WiT Casual Fridays? On the second Friday of every month at 12:15p EST, we gather the WiT community (and non-members for a small fee!) for a 45-minute Zoom meetup to meet, hang out, and connect with each other. ?? Our next event is happening on April 11! Each session starts with small breakout rooms for networking, followed by an opportunity to connect as a group. ?? We’ll share a guiding question or prompt to start the conversation — this is your chance to weigh in and share your thoughts! But no worries, this is a no pressure, no prep environment. Visit the link below for more info, and we’ll see you soon! https://bit.ly/3FePZfA #womenintoys #licensing #entertainment #CasualFridays #WiTCommunity #NetworkingEvent #MonthlyMeetup #ConnectWithWiT #ZoomMeetup #TechNetworking #WiTEvents #JoinUs #NoPressureNetworking

This Women’s History Month, we’re shining a light on the incredible women who make the WiT community what it is! Our board members are at the heart of who we are—driving our mission forward and shaping the future of our industry. Here’s a peek at a few of the amazing women leading the way: ?Amy Thompson— EVP, Chief People Officer at Gap. With over 25 years of experience at companies like Mattel, Inc., TOMS, and Starbucks, Amy is a purpose-driven leader dedicated to shaping strong teams, driving cultural transformation, and championing workplace equity. ?Lisa Whitaker—Co-CEO at Kidfinity, Inc. Lisa is a Global Brand Strategist with over 30 years of experience in the toy industry, specializing in brand building, marketing, and new business development. A former VP at Hasbro, she has led iconic brands like Star Wars, Play-Doh, and Disney Princess, inspiring both industry peers and the next generation of women in business. ?Christina Sklavenitis—Founder at Christina Sklavenitis Consulting. As the founder of her own consulting company and a partner at For Heroes Only, Christina specializes in brand building, licensing, and digital-first content creation. She is also the Montreal Chapter Chair for Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment! Learn more about our board members here: https://lnkd.in/gjznqMXT #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #Leadership #WiTBoard #Empowerment

This Women’s History Month, we’re shining a light on the incredible women who make the WiT community what it is! Our board members are at the heart of who we are—driving our mission forward and shaping the future of our industry. Here’s a peek at a few of the amazing women leading the way: ?Cristina L. — Key Account Vice President, Americas Market Group at the LEGO Group. In her role at LEGO, Cristina leads brand campaigns, product launches, and marketing initiatives to drive engagement across all ages. With over a decade of experience at the company, she has held key roles in brand management, digital marketing, and sales, shaping the LEGO brand’s presence in the US and beyond. ?Kristi Wasmer, MBA — Senior Sales Executive. With experience at Paramount Consumer Products, Nickelodeon, and Simon & Schuster, Kristi has had quite the career. In her roles, she has led high-performing teams, forged key retail partnerships, and championed diversity and inclusion in the industry. ?Menal McGrath — SVP Global Licensing, Dan Dee International. Menal a licensing, brand management, and sales executive known for building strong partnerships that drive growth and innovation. With a mix of corporate experience and an entrepreneurial spirit, she thrives on solving problems, leading high-performing teams, and helping brands think strategically about the future. Learn more about our board members here: https://bit.ly/41Li1aq #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #Leadership #WiTBoard #Empowerment

Join us Wednesday, April 9, from 5-7:30 PM EDT for an exclusive evening of games, networking, and fun in a secret speakeasy-style spot at Backstage at Stage Star Deli in NYC! ??? What’s in store? ?? A playful lineup of games, led by a special Game Master from Spin Master ?? ?? Cocktails, delicious bites & a drink ticket included ??? Exciting raffles & prizes ?? A chance to connect, unwind & spark new relationships in a unique setting A huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsor Spin Master for bringing the fun! ?? ?? Members: $20 | Not-Yet Members: $25 Don't miss this one-of-a-kind Game Night with WiT NY Metro! Grab your spot now and let the games begin! ???? ?? Register now: https://bit.ly/41REbJ4 #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #WiTNYMetro #GameNightNYC #NetworkingEvent #WomenInToys #SpinMaster #PlayToWin #LetTheGamesBegin #SpeakeasyVibes #CocktailsAndConnections #LevelUpYourNetwork

This Women’s History Month, we’re shining a light on the incredible women who make the WiT community what it is! Our board members are at the heart of who we are—driving our mission forward and shaping the future of our industry. Here’s a peek at a few of the amazing women leading the way: ?Kristin Lecour — Co-VP, Consumer Products & Vice-President, Distribution, 9 Story Media Group. With over 10 years in the entertainment industry, Kristin specializes in bringing brands to life worldwide. With her wide-ranging experience across several marketing disciplines, Kristin brings a unique perspective on building brands, through development, launch and ongoing management. ?Michelle Weber — Executive Vice President, Toy'n around, a Genesis Company. In her role, Michelle brings passion, sharp market insights, and strategic know-how to help manufacturers and retailers make a bigger impact. She also co-chairs the Minneapolis chapter of WiT! ?Natasha Tous — Founder & CEO, Kaleidoscope Women. Natasha is a leader and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering rising Latina leaders to achieve their career goals. She is a gifted communicator and strategic thinker, with a talent for identifying opportunities and developing innovative solutions. ?Shawn Smith — Founder, Shawn Smith Communications. With over 20 years of experience leading communications for global brands like Disney and Warner Bros., Shawn Smith is a recognized industry expert. As the founder of Shawn Smith Communications, she delivers integrated communications strategies for clients ranging from corporate giants to emerging brands and entrepreneurs. Stay tuned all month as we spotlight more of the women who are making an impact in our community! #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #Leadership #WiTBoard #Empowerment

Toy Fair 2025 was nothing short of amazing, and WiT was at the heart of it all—connecting, collaborating, and sparking important conversations about the future of toys, licensing, and entertainment. ?? We met so many passionate professionals and welcomed new members into our growing community! ?? The "Level Up: Maximizing Partnership Opportunities in Digital Gaming" panel was a power-packed discussion featuring industry experts from Supercell, Roblox, Jazwares, LLC SuperAwesome and Embracer Group. The conversation was full of valuable insights on collaboration, innovation, and the future of gaming! ?? We also had a blast at Game On: Power Up with WiT, a night of networking, fun, and great conversations—all made possible by our amazing sponsor, SuperAwesome! ?? A huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended, stopped by the WiT booth, and supported us throughout the event. Your energy and enthusiasm inspire us every day! Drop your favorite Toy Fair moment in the comments! ???? #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #NYTF

What an EPIC night! Game On at Coexist Gaming Lounge was the perfect way to connect, unwind, and celebrate the incredible WiT community during New York Toy Fair. From immersive gaming and cocktails to making new industry friends, the energy was off the charts! A huge welcome to the many new members who joined WiT during NYTF—we’re thrilled to have you as part of this growing, inspiring community! ?? And a massive thank you to our amazing sponsor, SuperAwesome, for making this unforgettable night possible! ?? Relive the fun! Check out the full Game On photo album here: https://bit.ly/3FqbVVr #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #WiTGameOn #NYTF #WelcomeToWiT #NetworkingEvent #GrowingCommunity #ToyIndustry

The best partnerships don’t just boost your brand—they create real, lasting value for everyone involved. In a recent WiT webinar, Bridget Murphy, president of Envision Promotions, shared her secrets to building partnerships that go beyond the basics. With experience at The Walt Disney Company, Fox, and major corporate collaborations, she knows how to turn connections into opportunities. Her advice? Be ambitious in who you partner with and generous in what you bring to the table. Want to know how to make it happen? Read the full blog post here: https://bit.ly/4kDm94F #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #BrandPartnerships #LicensingSuccess #EntertainmentIndustry #MarketingStrategy #Collaboration #BusinessGrowth #StrategicPartnerships #NetworkingSuccess #LeadershipLessons

This Women’s History Month, we’re shining a light on the incredible women who make the WiT community what it is! Our board members are at the heart of who we are—driving our mission forward and shaping the future of our industry. Here’s a peek at a few of the amazing women leading the way: ?Deirdre Cross – SVP, Games, Moose Toys. If you’ve played Disney Villainous, you’ve seen Deirdre’s work in action. She’s helped create over 500 products and has spent years supporting and uplifting women in the industry. ?DeeDee Wright-Ward — CEO of Purpose Toys. Established in 2020, Purpose is affectionately known as the “Motown of Toys,” offering authentic, inspirational, and culturally rich entertainment for all. Her work is all about creating a more equitable business community and celebrating culture in toy aisles worldwide! ?Karen Kilpatrick – President, Kayppin Media. Karen’s journey from finance attorney to creative entrepreneur is so inspiring! She’s an author, publisher, and passionate advocate for getting books into the hands of underserved kids. Stay tuned all month as we spotlight more of the women who are making an impact in?our community! #womenintoys #licensing #entertainmentindustry #Leadership #WiTBoard #Empowerment