Profile: Nancy MacPherson, 25-Year Industry Veteran, Hangs Up Hat at LEGO Group

September 24, 2019 | Nancy MacPherson, senior director of government and public affairs at The LEGO Group, will retire from the company later this month after a 25-year career. She spent much of that time ensuring the safety and quality of the LEGO Group’s product, from development through production. Post-retirement, MacPherson plans to remain at her long-time residence in Wilbraham, MA with her husband, Brad, enjoying her garden and family and friends, among other activities.

MacPherson began her career at the LEGO Group in 1994, after working at various New England companies as both a chemist and a computer engineer. When she first arrived at the company's Enfield, CT campus, she worked as a product safety engineer. Over the last 25 years, MacPherson served in a variety of roles in support of operations, supply chain, and government and public affairs.

MacPherson was instrumental in the development of the LEGO Group's new product lines and manufacturing facilities; her dedication was evident in her regular travel to the company's facilities in Mexico, which she visited once a week over a period of three and a half years. In 2008, following the passage of the landmark Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), regarded as one of the most significant regulations to impact U.S. consumer product safety, MacPherson helmed the company's response. She wrote documentation and control processes under the new law and regularly communicated with regulatory bodies, customers, and consumers. She also guided the LEGO Group through various crisis situations, advocated to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and built critical relationships with legislators and regulatory authorities on the LEGO Group's behalf. Working with her counterparts in Europe, MacPherson helped build the company's government and public affairs department, overseeing the department's growth from four to more than 20 people worldwide.

MacPherson was also an active participant in The Toy Association, joining and leading various member committees over the years, and lending her expertise on toy safety, compliance, and government relations. The input she provided – particularly as chair of the Safety Standards and Technical Committee – along with input from other committee members, helped shape The Toy Association’s strategic direction and resources to assist the wider membership in working with regulatory bodies and government agencies in the areas of safety, quality, and compliance.

"Working with Nancy has been a real pleasure. She will be missed by everyone in the toy industry and remembered for her care and dedication to her work," said Ed Desmond, executive vice president of external affairs at The Toy Association. "The contributions Nancy made at LEGO, at The Toy Association, and on behalf of the wider toy community to help ensure the production of safe toys for children everywhere will not be forgotten. We wish her a happy retirement!"

Toy New Tuesday regularly profiles toy professionals and companies that have made a difference in the lives of children and helped shape the business of play. To be considered for a future profile, contact jlynch@toyassociation.org .