Women’s History Month: A Roundtable with WiT Board Members on Leadership, Growth & Impact

Angelina Castro: Ladies, welcome! It’s an honor to have you all here. Let’s dive right in. What does Women’s History Month mean to you? DeeDee, let’s start with you.

DeeDee Wright-Ward: For me, it’s all about opportunity—the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of women throughout history, whether they’re world-renowned pioneers or everyday leaders shaping their industries. Women do it all—we lead, educate, uplift, nurture,and innovate. This month is a time to honor that and also to remind ourselves to keep pushing forward.

Amy Thompson: Exactly! It’s a time to honor how far we’ve come and reflect on the journey that’s still ahead of us.

Deirdre Cross: I couldn’t agree more. Women’s History Month is a celebration of the undeniable impact of women throughout history—and today. I’m grateful for the chance to recognize the countless ways women enrich the world through their leadership, creativity, and courage. The inclusion of women doesn’t just enhance the spaces we enter—it transforms them.

Angelina Castro: Absolutely. Now, let’s talk about mentorship and inspiration. Who is a woman who has inspired you in your career? Karen, I’d love to hear your perspective.

Kristin Lecour: It’s hard to choose just one. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many inspiring women throughout my life and career. Women who lift others up, take up space, speak up, or lead quietly through their work. I’m constantly in awe of their strength, their grace, and their resilience. That collective energy has shaped how I lead and how I show up for others.

Menal McGrath: There are too many to name! But I’ll give you a few snippets that have really stuck with me:

• Carole Levine – Know your stuff and never give up.

• Lori Dawn Howl – Disarm them with authenticity and humor.

• Isabelle Lahoud – Gut instinct + data makes you unstoppable.

Each of these women has influenced the way I think, lead, and grow.

Angelina Castro: That’s a perfect segue into our next topic. What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received? Michelle, take this one.

Michelle Weber: Hands down, the best advice I ever got was: Don’t wait for permission—take initiative. Success comes from stepping up, solving problems, and driving ideas forward with confidence. The people who make an impact in any industry aren’t the ones waiting to be asked—they’re the ones taking action.

Shawn Smith: Absolutely. One of the most powerful pieces of advice I received early on was: Trust your judgment—and have the courage to stand by it.

Cristina Liquori: For me, it was the advice to never stop learning. I’ve found that learning demonstrates humility—no one leader has all the answers. Often, seeking out conversations with others helps further shape your ideas as you drive to better outcomes. And, it turns out, it is fun to learn and learning keeps every day feeling new!

Lisa Whitaker: I love that, Cristina. I once received the advice: "Don't ever confuse yourself with your position." Showing kindness and respect to people whether or not they have a big company name or title in their email address will always pay benefits in business and in life.

Angelina Castro: Let’s build on that. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? Natasha, I know you’re passionate about this topic.

Natasha Tous: Absolutely. My biggest advice? Own your narrative. Don’t let the world define you. One of the biggest mistakes I see women make is hesitating—waiting for clarity, waiting for permission. But leadership is about decisive action. If you don’t define yourself, someone else will.

Menal McGrath: Exactly! And sometimes, obstacles will feel like mountains. But the reality is that everything is temporary and if you stay the course, you will see it through. Be a bit delusional in your goals. If you keep at it, it will all come together.

DeeDee Wright-Ward: I love that. For me, it’s less about traditional advice and more about grounding in affirmations—reminders that keep me focused and fuel my leadership. A few that I come back to often: “Listening is a superpower.” “Strategy is a gift.” “Catalyzation is a weapon against all doubt.” I hope those words resonate with someone else the way they’ve anchored me. 

Deirdre Cross: I also think it’s important to remind young leaders that their voices have power. Your presence at the table is a catalyst for change—even in ways you may not yet see. Your perspective is not just valuable, it’s essential. By stepping forward, you are not only breaking barriers but also clearing the way for the women who will follow in your footsteps.

Angelina Castro: That’s powerful advice. Now, let’s get personal. What has been a defining moment in your career? Amy, why don’t you share first?

Amy Thompson: One of my proudest accomplishments occurred at Mattel, when I helped start the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for Women in Toys. It was the industry’s first mentorship program for women designed to advance career growth across the toy industry through mentorship, coaching, professional development and learning.

Shawn Smith: A defining moment for the industry as a whole! A defining moment for me was leading the PR campaign to launch the Disney Store in Times Square. It was one of those “sink or swim” moments, and I won’t lie—I had my doubts. But I stepped up, trusted my skills, and delivered. That experience taught me that sometimes, you surprise even yourself with what you’re capable of.

Karen Kilpatrick: That’s the key—embracing change and taking the leap. Every defining moment in my career has come from stepping outside of my comfort zone and taking risks. 

Christina Sklavenitis: A defining moment for me came 2015. I was working for a small Canadian toy company, and many people doubted I could land a Disney license for the Canadian market. Not only did I secure it—I went on to negotiate multiple deals across North America and Europe with brands like Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. That experience taught me that “no” isn’t the end of the road—it’s just a step on the way to “yes.”

Kristi Wasmer: I had a similar moment when I decided to start my own consulting company, KW Retail Solutions. It was both exciting and daunting, but it pushed me to harness my years of experience in retail development and the power of the relationships I had built over the years. The responsibility of building brands like PEEPs, Care Bears, and Unicorn Academy at retail has been a game-changer and has helped shape the way I view leadership.

Angelina Castro: Last question—do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires you? Kristin, let’s hear yours.

Kristin Lecour: One that’s always stuck with me is “We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” by Anaïs Nin. Perspective is everything in leadership. We bring our own experiences, biases, and viewpoints into every decision, and recognizing that can make all the difference in how we lead and collaborate.

Karen Kilpatrick: For me, it’s “Either you can or you can’t. Either way, you’re right.” Mindset is everything. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will either.

Amy Thompson: “Keep the long view.” It’s easy to get lost in a moment or a temporary setback. I like to think of these moments as reflection points and learning injections that help us become more effective leaders. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture and your ultimate destination as a leader. 

Deirdre Cross: For me, it’s “Just ‘Effing Make It.” This mantra isn’t just a rallying cry—it’s a mindset, a creative spark, a fearless leap into the unknown. In the world of tabletop gaming, ideas are everywhere, but it’s the act of bringing them to life that separates the dreamers from the doers. Roll up your sleeves, dive in, and start building. 

Angelina Castro: Thank you all for sharing your wisdom. Before we wrap up, I just want to say—WiT is proof that when we come together, we don’t just inspire, we elevate leadership across industries. For anyone reading this, know that you’re part of a network that values mentorship, boldness, and ambition. 

Join WiT today and become part of a network that uplifts, mentors, and empowers women in the industry!

This conversation was inspired by the wisdom of DeeDee Wright-Ward, Karen Kilpatrick, Kristin Lecour, Michelle Weber, Natasha Tous, Shawn Smith, Deirdre Cross, Amy Thompson, Lisa Whitaker, Kristi Wasmer, Menal McGrath, Christina Sklavenitis, and Cristina Liquori. Learn more about them and WiT’s mission at Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment.