WHO WE ARE
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and global community that champions and advocates for the advancement of women through leadership, networking and educational opportunities.
Advance. Connect. Advocate.
These three words are at the heart of our mission of advancing women. Our members open doors for one another, are eager to share what they’ve learned, and are dedicated to change in our industry.Through the critical resources and programming we provide, and the connections we help to forge, we’re creating limitless opportunities for women to thrive at all levels of their career.
WiT EXECUTIVE BOARD
Janice Ross
WiT President
Managing Partner, Brand Fresh Management
Janice Ross is the founder and Managing Partner of Brand Fresh Management and serves as president of Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT). Named Game Changer in 2017 by License Global Magazine, she is a multi-disciplined licensing and branding executive. With over 25 years of global experience in the consumer products and entertainment industries, she develops and executes innovative licensing initiatives, high-impact consumer product strategies, and retail programs for diverse brands.
Prior to founding Brand Fresh Management, Janice held top-level roles leading teams at powerhouse companies including American Greetings as Vice President of Global Licensing and Business Development, and LEGO/Create TV as Head of the Americas, where she co-produced successful direct-to-videos for the BIONICLE franchise.
Janice is a passionate and purposeful advocate for the advancement of women. Under her transformational and servant leadership at WiT, the mission-driven organization has grown exponentially both in programming and member engagement. Serving a community of over 3,000 people, WiT is committed to unlocking the full potential of women to drive innovation, creativity, exceptional teamwork, and a sense of purpose.
Janice received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA. She is a mom to boy/girl Gen Z twins and resides in Los Angeles with her husband.
Alita Friedman
WiT Treasurer / Secretary
CEO. Alita’s Brand Bar
Mary Kay Russell
WiT Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bernadette Boyle
The Toy Association Liaison
Senior Membership Manager
The Toy Association
Cynthia Nishimoto
Legal Committee Chair
General Counsel
SVP, Business & Legal Affairs
Bandai America Incorporated
Gena Lavallee
Nominations Chair
Vice President Sales & Marketing
Make It Real
Jennifer Caveza
Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair
Otis College of Art & Design
Chair Toy Design
Jennifer Quattrock
Design Co-Chair
Creative Director
JenQTRock Design
Karen Kilpatrick
Wonder Women Awards Committee
Author & Entrepreneur
Lourdes Arocho
Corporate Development Committee
VP Global Consumer Products
Paramount Pictures
Scholarship Co-Chair
Head of Nelvana Enterprises,
a division of Corus Entertainment
Michele Martell
Programming Chair
President
Martell Media House
Stefanie Barone
Promotions Chair
VP of Design
Jazwares
Advisory Board Members
Andrew Kerr
Sutikki
Ann Kearns
AMK Licensing
Anne Marie Kehoe
Walmart (formerly)
Anne Pitrone
Pitrone & Associates
Ashley Mady
It’sSugar
Barbara Isenberg
North American Bear Co.
Bob Wann
PlayMonster
Brian Goldner
Hasbro, Inc.
Debra Joester
Joester Loria Group LLC
Jay Foreman
Basic Fun!
Joan Packard Luks
The Serenata Group
JoAnn McLaughlin
Marvel Entertainment
Marian Bossard
The Toy Association
Maura Regan
Licensing International
Michael Rinzler
Jazwares
Stephen Stanley
Jazwares Costume Play
Patti Becker
Becker Associates LLC
Nancy Zwiers
Funosophy, Inc.
Pam Kaufman
ViacomCBS
Steve Totzke
Mattel
OUR STAFF
Mary Kay Russell
Executive Director
Kelsey
Alpaio
Copywriter
Allie
Benham
Marketing Manager
Peg
Brom
Community Manager
Sandra Lepianka
Operations Manager
Shannon
Varcoe
Program Manager
OUR ORIGIN & FOUNDERS
30 years ago, a group of women came together at the New York Toy Fair in pursuit of connections and opportunities in the toy industry. Today, our ecosystem has grown to include licensing and entertainment with thousands of women still in pursuit of the same thing, a more inclusive and equitable workforce.
Anne Pitrone
Founder & CEO, Pitrone & Associates
Susan Matsumoto
Partner, Kennedy-Matsumoto Design
COMMITTEES
Get involved with WiT by joining a committee today!
Email info@womenintoys.com for more information.