Hasbro’s Melissa Jones, Exploding Kittens’ Carol Mertz and Mattel’s Chandra Hicks among nominees for WiT’s Wonder Women Awards 2024

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment has detailed the finalists for the 2024 Wonder Women Awards.

The Wonder Women awards recognise and celebrate exceptional female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers whose achievements ‘have left an indelible mark on our industry’.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this year’s outstanding finalists,” said Wonder Women Co-Chairs Ehi Oviasu-Kahn and Nancy Molenda.

“Each nominee embodies a commitment to teamwork, innovative thinking, and visionary leadership, reflecting the spirit of excellence that drives the WiT community and advances our industry.”

In the Designer/Inventor (Corporate) category, the nominees are:

• Anthea Rodgers, Jazwares
• Carol Mertz, Exploding Kittens
• Chandra Hicks, Mattel
• Claudia D. Sandoval, Melissa & Doug
• Danwei Lando, Paramount
• Jessica Livingston, Spin Master
• Julie Borchert, Universal Products & Services
• Melissa Jones, Hasbro, Inc.
• Pat Chiang, Just Play
• Shaun Shishido, Disney Parks, Experiences & Products
• Tori Salvaggio, Moose Toys
• Wendy Huang, ZURU

In the Designer/Inventor (Small Business/Entreprenuer) category, the nominees are:

• Anquisha Crutcher, To Grandma’s House I Go, LLC
• Donna Fasano, The Owl & The Hourglass Word Game Puzzles
• Gayle Keller, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, LLC
• Natalie Delaney-John, That Sound Game
• Natalie Sabri, Dough Parlour
• Sally Connolly, Napa Valley Toys USA LLC
• Wendy Bryan Lazar, I Heart Guts Original Plush Organs

Figures from across the design and inventor space are also prominent in other categories, with Mattel’s Alena Niu in the running for the Advocate for Change award and Melissa & Doug’s Sofia Dumery up for the Sustainability Excellence award.

To read the full list of finalists for the 2024 Wonder Women Awards, head to: https://www.womenintoys.com/nominees

Voting will be open to all WiT members, from July 15th to August 2nd. Winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala on Friday, September 13th, 2024.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.womenintoys.com/wonder-woman-awards.