WiT Announces 2025 Wonder Women Award Winners

The following article is based on a press release issued by WiT on September 12, 2025.

September 12, 2025 | Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) celebrated the winners of its 20th annual Wonder Women Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on September 11, held during The Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview® Market Weeks.

The Wonder Women Awards honor outstanding female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers whose exceptional accomplishments have made a profound impact on the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries.

During the evening, Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris, was presented with the Vanguard Award in recognition of her leadership and vision in elevating one of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands into a global lifestyle powerhouse.

Nineteen exceptional women also received 2025 Wonder Women Awards in the following categories:

  • Brand Franchise: BBC Studios: Suzy Raia, Kirsten Fallon, Paulina Abrams, Jill Cook, Katie Scalere, Kealan Casey, Josh Pavloff, Francesca Flanagan, Carolina Cabal, Shannon Cuthbert, Stephanie Mendoza, Melissa Majerowicz
  • Catalyst for Change (under 500): Rachele Harmuth, CrunchLabs & MESH Helps, Genna Rosenberg, GennComm
  • Catalyst for Change (over 500): Alex Yee, Disney
  • Commercial Excellence: Tara Gartman, Paramount
  • Designer/Inventor (Corporate): Kate Fakonas, Hasbro
  • Designer/Inventor (Independent): Serena Fadlunn
  • Digital Innovator: Christine Tran, Amazon
  • Emerging Technology Leader: Kristin Size, LEGO
  • Inbound Licensing: Hollie Holmes, Moose Toys
  • Licensing Agent: Heidi Schwartz, Universal Branding & Media
  • Marketing: Katie Buford, Mattel
  • Mentor of the Year: Tal Schrieber, Spin Master
  • PR Excellence: Sara Rosales Montalvo, Jazwares
  • Rising Leader (under 500) Employees: Audrey Torrence, Basic Fun
  • Rising Leader (over 500) Employees: Megan Margolis, Hasbro
  • Small Business Owner of the Year: Justine Tiu, The Woobles
  • Unsung Hero (under 500) Employees: Ashlee Virtue, Relatable
  • Unsung Hero (over 500) Employees: Stephanie North, Just Play, Stephanie Fischer, Bandai
  • WiT Champion: Julien Sharp, Asmodee

Proceeds from the Wonder Women Awards support WiT’s vital programming, mentorship, and the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program.

Visit womenintoys.com for more information.