Join a Committee

Toy Association members are invited to help set the strategic direction of the organization by submitting nominations for qualified candidates to serve on one of our policy committees.

Getting involved is a great way to build your network of contacts, sharpen your leadership skills, raise your company’s profile in the industry, and maximize your membership investment!

Take a look at our committees – listed below – to see if any fit your interests or area(s) of expertise. To join a committee, simply fill out the Committee Volunteer Interest Form and we’ll let you know the next steps.

Scroll down to learn more about each committee. For more information, please contact Ken Ebeling, vice president of strategic development and member services.

Committee Descriptions

Audit Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of (i) the integrity of the Association’s financial statements, (ii) the Association’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (iv) the cooperation of the Association’s management in conducting the annual audit.

NOTE: This is a Board-level committee with restricted membership.

Chair: David Hargreaves, Hasbro, Inc.
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Paul Vitale, EVP, finance & operations
[View Full Charter]

Credit Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to promote participation by eligible members in The Toy Association Credit Interchange Program and to assist the Board of Directors by reviewing and recommending policies and procedures, services and products to meet the needs of the membership in this area.

NOTE: Only manufacturer and importer members of The Toy Association would be eligible pursuant to the Credit Interchange Program Guidelines.

Chair: Joy Christopher, Radio Flyer, Inc.
Toy Association Staff Liaisons: Dina Gittings, manager, credit interchange program; Paul Vitale, EVP, finance & operations
[View Full Charter]

Environmental Sustainability Committee

Mission Statement / Committee Charter pending approval

Chair: John Gallucci, Hasbro
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Al Kaufman, SVP, technical affairs
[View Full Charter]

Federal Government Affairs Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to monitor federal regulatory and legislative issues – both domestically and internationally, as applicable – that affect the toy industry in North America and to assist the Board of Directors by formulating and advocating the policies and positions of the Association relating to such matters in support of the interests of all segments of the industry.

Chair: Kathrin Belliveau, Hasbro
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Rebecca Mond, senior director, federal government affairs
[View Full Charter]

Investment Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to assist the Board of Directors of the Association in its oversight in the prudent investment of the Association’s accumulated income.

Chair: Robert Wann, PlayMonster!
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Paul Vitale, EVP, finance & operations
[View Full Charter]

Market Research & Data Strategy Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to assist The Toy Association in identifying meaningful topics to study, and business intelligence/data to collect that is relevant to the toy industry; and when appropriate liaise with Toy Association staff and selected consultants to develop and collect the appropriate information.

Chair: Bill Ritchie, Think Fun
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Anne McConnell, senior director, market research and data strategy
[View Full Charter]

Membership Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to acquire new members within the toy and youth entertainment industries, to identify new potential members and to assist the Board of Directors by reviewing and recommending policies and procedures, services and products to meet the needs of the membership.

Chair: Jeffrey Kennis, Enchanted Moments Inc.
Vice-Chair: Kathleen Campisano, Barnes and Noble, Inc.
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Ken Ebeling, EVP, strategic development and member services
[View Full Charter]

PlayCon Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to assist the Board of Directors by fostering the development of an annual industry event that recognizes and celebrates the toy and youth product industry, providing educational and motivational program content geared toward personal and professional growth for industry representatives from large and small companies, and supporting networking and social activities that provide opportunities to develop strong and lasting relationships in the industry.

Chair: Jane Ritson-Parsons, Hasbro, Inc.
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Marian Bossard, EVP, global market events
[View Full Charter]

Responsible Marketing to Children Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to assist the Board of Directors by reviewing and recommending strategies, policies and procedures that will protect children while also preserving the toy industry’s right to communicate to children and acknowledging and promoting corporate social responsibility in such outreach.

Chair: Jennifer DuBuisson, LEGO Systems Inc.
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Edward Desmond, EVP, external affairs
[View Full Charter]

Safety Standards and Technical Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to monitor activity on issues related to product safety, standards, testing, and quality assurance issues that affect the toy industry in North America and to assist the Board of Directors by formulating and advocating the policies and positions of the Association relating to such matters in support of the interests of all segments of the industry.

Chair: Hailey Mann, American Plastic Toys
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Joan Lawrence, SVP, standards and regulatory affairs
[View Full Charter]

State Government Affairs Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to monitor in all 50 states the regulatory and legislative issues that affect the toy industry in North America and to assist the Board of Directors by formulating and advocating the policies and positions of the Association relating to such matters in support of the interests of all segments of the industry.

Chair: Corinne Murat, Mattel, Inc.
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Jennifer Gibbons, VP, state government affairs
[View Full Charter]

Toy Industry Hall of Fame Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to assist the Board of Directors by overseeing the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, including the nomination of candidates and administration of the voting process, and to foster the visibility, integrity, reputation and stature of the program and its related induction ceremony.

Chair: Alan Hassenfeld, Hassenfeld Family Initiatives
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Ken Seiter, EVP, marketing communications
[View Full Charter]

Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to assist the Board of Directors by overseeing the TOTY Awards program and continually developing the participation, visibility, integrity, reputation and stature of the program and its related presentation ceremony.

Chair: Shirley Price, Funrise Toy Corporation
Toy Association Staff Liaisons: Ken Seiter, EVP, marketing communications; Jackie Retzer, assistant marketing manager
[View Full Charter]

Trade Events Committee

The primary purpose of this committee is to recommend policies and procedures that will assist the Board of Directors in its oversight and successful delivery of the Association’s trade events.

Chair: William Beebe, Playmates Toys
Toy Association Staff Liaison: Marian Bossard, EVP, global market events
[View Full Charter]