Wonder Women nominees named

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 10/30/2006 12:00:00 PM

NEW YORK —Women In Toys, the organization started to give women working with the toy, entertainment and licensing industries a professional networking base, announced a slate of 43 women nominated for the third annual Wonder Women of Toys awards.

The awards, created by WIT and Playthings magazine, will be given out on Feb. 11, 2007 , at WIT ’s annual gala during the American International Toy Fair. Nominees were announced during this month’s American International Fall Toy Show in five categories: Manufacturer, Retailer, Inventor/Designer, Entrepreneur and Women to Watch. A panel of judges will meet to choose and announce the winners in November.

Manufacturer

Diane Adams, vice president of sales and marketing, K’Nex Industries
Beate Caso, president, Beate Toys
Stephanie Cota, vice president of girls toys, Mattel
Patty Jackson, executive vice president, product development, Zizzle
Sharon John, general manager, marketing: big kids, girls and boys divisions, Hasbro
Joan Moravick, president, Games For All Reasons
Cassidy Park , vice president, Barbie design, Mattel
Arete Passas, president/CEO, Manhattan Toy
Jonelle Raffino, president, Biltmore World Trade
Helen Rockey, president and CEO , Front Porch Classics
Cathy Veness, vice prsident, girls toys, Playmates Toys
Ann Woodard, general manager, Accoutrements

Retailer

Sharon Diminico, founder and CEO , Learning Express
Keri Jones, vice president, divisional merchandise manager, toys & specialty goods, Target
Dawn Lynn, buyer, Home Shopping Network
Diane Robinson, founder/president, Silly Goose

Inventor/designer

Gina beebe, vice president, design and development, American Girl
Pauline Camberis, partner, Meyer/Glass Design
Jody Meger, project engineer, girls packaging, Mattel
Melinda Fabian, creative director, Rocking Horse Studio
Erica Lancaster, co-owner, Jack Rabbit Creations
Marie Osmond, owner, Marie Osmond Dolls

Entrepreneur

Stevanne Auerbach, founder and CEO , Dr. Toy
Andrea Barthello, founder , ThinkFun
Julia Benben, president, Colorloco
Gail de Giulio, CEO, Simply Fun
Jill Gaynor, founder and CEO , Beyond Learning
Maureen McHale, president, McHale design
Andrea Nasstrom, owner, Acting Out Dressup
Mary Rafferty, CEO , Dot to Dot
Reyne Rice, president, Toy Trends
Norma Rosenhain, founder and CEO , Creata

Women to Watch

Lisa Marie Arneson, owner, Bright Spots
Karen Carson, co-founder, Fat Brain Toys
Milanie Cleese, CEO , Oompa Toys
Joan Colvin, founder and CEO , Originates
Jill Gaynor, founder and CEO , Beyond Learning
Krista Marks, CEO , Kerproof
Kathleen McHugh, president, ASTRA
Carol Rehtmeyer, president, Rehtmeyer Inc.
Denise Gary Robinson, president, Dolls Like Me
Denise Van Patten, owner, Katharine’s Cottage
Laura Wellington, CEO , The Giddy Gander Co.