Andrew Weiner, President, Toy'n Around Inc. (Chairman, The Toy Foundation)
Andy is a 44 year veteran of the Toy Industry. Beginning his career at the Milton Bradley Company in 1975. During his time at MB, Andy held various jobs in administration and ultimately ended up in their sales force. When he left Milton Bradley in 1983 he held the position of Southwest Regional Sales Manager with primary responsibility for Walmart Stores.
Since the fall of 1983 Andy has served the industry as a manufacturer's representative in the central and upper Midwest. Having started with Dan Buckey Associates that firm later morphed into Toy’n Around, headquartered in Minneapolis. Over the past 36 years he has participated in the launch of several major toy brands, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tech Deck and Squinkies. His firm today continues to represent several iconic brands that include Turtles, Pokémon, Cabbage Patch Dolls and Crazy Art as well as emerging brands like Basic Fun and Ryan’s World from Bonkers Toys.
Andy has an extensive background in nonprofit board work. He has held the position of chairman of Make A Wish MN and at Children’s Cancer Research Fund. (The largest contributor to Pediatric medicine at the University of MN). In addition, he currently serves on the Philanthropic Board of the U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital and is a Director for the Western Golf Association (Evans Scholars Foundation). Andy also currently is serving his first term as a member of the Board of Directors of the Toy Association.
Andy graduated from University of Hartford with a BA and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with his MBA.
Married 40 years to wife Marci his life revolves around his daughters Melissa and Halley and his 4 grandchildren.
Richard Barry, Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys “R” Us, Inc.
As Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R” Us, Inc., Richard Barry leads all merchandising initiatives for the company’s U.S. operations, including Toys“R” Us and Babies“R” Us stores nationwide and the legendary FAO Schwarz flagship store in New York City, as well as the company’s dedicated e-commerce sites. In this role, Mr. Barry oversees a team of merchants in identifying and monitoring worldwide product trends and innovations to advance the company’s position as THE toy and juvenile-products authority. In addition, he is responsible for driving strategic initiatives within the company’s Marketing and e-commerce groups, including mobile platforms and omnichannel programs.
Mr. Barry plays a leadership role in driving collaboration, providing insights and leveraging industry-wide relationships to benefit the company’s merchant teams around the world in building differentiated product assortments. In addition, he works to ensure the company offers a consistently strong in-stock position on the hottest products and negotiates first-to-market opportunities on new item introductions.
During his nearly 27-year tenure at Toys“R” Us, which spans across the U.S. and the U.K., he has accumulated broad experience in all aspects of sales, operations and merchandising, through roles of increasing seniority. Mr. Barry joined Toys“R” Us, Inc. in 1985 as a part-time employee in the U.K., and in 2004, he was promoted to Merchandising Director for Toys“R” Us, International, where he managed buying decisions for categories including Video Games, Electronics, Learning, and Sports.
The following year, Mr. Barry was appointed Vice President, Divisional Merchandising Manager for the Learning, Electronics and Entertainment businesses for the company’s U.S. toy stores. In 2010, he was named Vice President, General Merchandising Manager, Toys“R” Us, U.S., overseeing the Learning, Electronics, and Entertainment product categories. In February 2012, Mr. Barry was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R” Us, U.S. and was subsequently named to his current position in October of the same year.
In addition to serving on the TTF Board of Trustees, Mr. Barry also serves on the Board of the Entertainment Merchants Association and previously on the Board of Directors of The Toy Association.
Kathleen Campisano, Global Chief Marketing Officer, ChizComm and General Manager, Beacon Media Group
Kathleen Campisano, Global Chief Marketing Officer at ChizComm and General Manager of Beacon Media Group, is an award-winning business leader with a 25+ year record of driving multimillion-dollar growth. Areas of expertise include strategic marketing and media planning, brand building, ideation, product development, P&L management, merchandising, and experiential retailing. She has mastered the art of interpreting consumer insights, and successfully translated those insights into market opportunities.
Kathleen is a longtime contributor to the toy industry, she holds several patents for product innovation and has served on the Toy Association Board of Directors since 2016. In 2019, Kathleen was honored to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Toy Foundation in service of bringing joy and comfort to children in need. Prior to her role as CMO, Kathleen was Vice President of Toys & Games at Barnes & Noble 2009 – 2019. During her ten years there, Campisano launched a world-class Educational Toys & Games Department while curating an enviable Hobby, Collectible and Pop Culture Division. She achieved consecutive growth, significant market share gains and consistently outpaced the industry. Campisano also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Mega Brands from 2007 – 2009, and SVP of Design, Product Development and Marketing for LeapFrog Enterprises from 2000 – 2007 (pre and post IPO) earning her and her team several TOTY Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and a coveted Grand Effie. Campisano also held key marketing and brand positions at Fisher Price from 1996 - 2000 and Century Baby Products from 1989 - 1996.
Kathleen was honored by NY Moves Magazine as a Power Woman of 2018, she holds an Executive MBA from the SUNY School of Management and a BS in Marketing from Xavier University.
Jennifer Eiselein, Vice President of Marketing & Product Development, VTech Electronics North America
Awaiting Bio & Headshot.
John Gessert (Advisor), President/Chief Executive Officer, American Plastic Toys, Inc.
Mr. John Gessert currently serves as president and chief executive officer of American Plastics Toys, Inc. He joined the organization in 1984 in sales and operations and, after holding regional sales manager positions, became national sales manager in 1991. He served as executive vice president from 1998 to 2003 when he was named as president and CEO.
Gessert and his wife, Susan, reside in Michigan, with their four children, Ellen, Jack, Emma and Julia. Mr. Gessert earned his Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his MBA from Wayne State University.
Peter Henseler (Advisor), Retired Vice Chairman, TOMY International
Mr. Henseler is the Founder and President of Wise Consulting Group Inc. (a Strategy and Management consulting firm). He previously held the position of Vice Chairman of TOMY International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (a leading global designer and marketer of toys and juvenile products) until his retirement from TOMY International in October 2012. Prior, he held the position of President of TOMY International from April 2011 until April 2012 and served on its Board of Directors.
Previously, Mr. Henseler was President and a Board of Director of RC2 Corporation (a NASDAQ publicly traded toy and juvenile-products company) from 2002 to 2011, at which time TOMY Company acquired RC2. He also served as RC2's Vice President of Marketing and Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1996 to 2002. Prior to joining RC2, Mr. Henseler held various marketing and sales positions at McDonald's, Hasbro, American Greetings and Kimberly Clark.
As former Chairman of The Toy Foundation, Mr. Henseler currently serves as an advisor of The Toy Foundation Board of Trustees, the nonprofit foundation of The Toy Association. He most recently completed service of 3 full terms on the United States Toy Association Board of Directors. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for First Midwest Bank Inc., one of the premier relationship-based banking firms in the Chicagoland banking market. In prior years, Mr. Henseler served on nonprofit boards, including the National Board of Playing for Keeps (2006-2008) and as an Advisory Board Member for Xavier University’s Williams College of Business for Entrepreneurial Studies (2008 – 2012). Pete and his wife Molly have been involved in local charitable organizations in their hometown of Chicago, including Educare of Dupage County, The Juvenile Diabetes Association and Make a Wish Foundation.
Michael Keaton, CEO, ToySmith
For 27-years, Michael Keaton has dedicated his career to optimizing the value of premium-brand FMCG companies. Whether its soft drinks or toys, his passion for developing powerful brands and business results and building strong, committed teams has been the driving force of his professional life. And for the past 17 years, Keaton has been singularly focused on promoting the benefits of play through his leadership roles within the toy industry.
Keaton started his career in toys with the LEGO Group in 2002, first in the US/Canada market and then in global roles in Australia and Denmark. As Vice President and General Manager for LEGO Australia/New Zealand, he served as Board Member of the ATA, the Australian Toy Association, and as a member of their Executive Committee, worked to bring together retailers and manufacturers for the benefit of the industry. While stationed at the LEGO HQ in Denmark, Keaton headed up the creative Shopper Marketing Agency, overseeing packaging development, product launches, consumer engagement, shopper communication, and creating best-in-class in-store experiences. Prior to joining the LEGO Group, Keaton worked for The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises, engaged in several key sales and marketing roles.
Soon after returning to the US with the LEGO Group after nearly a decade abroad, Keaton joined Schleich in October 2015, leading the North American Division of the Germany-based global toy company to build the Schleich brand in the Western Hemisphere. Since his election to the Board of Directors of the US Toy Association and Canadian Toy Association in 2018, Keaton has been working to advance the health and growth of the toy industry there too, and through his participation on the Genius of Play™ committee, joining the effort to help parents and children discover the joy of creative play. Keaton is a private contributor to the Toy Industry Foundation, and a volunteer for Samaritan’s Purse, a non-profit international relief organization, focused toward helping underprivileged children, and an avid fan of DCI – Drum and Bugle Corps International.
Keaton has been married to his wife Kimberley for 26 years and is currently in transition, moving with his family from Davidson, North Carolina to the Seattle, Washington area with their two sons, Gary and Daniel, and their two dogs, Bodhi and Bandit.
Skip Kodak, Vice-Chairman, Toy Association Board of Director, Sr. Vice President, Americas, LEGO Systems, Inc.
Preston F. “Skip” Kodak is Senior Vice President of the LEGO Americas market region of the family-owned and privately-held LEGO Group, one of the world’s largest toy companies, based in Billund, Denmark. From Enfield, Connecticut, U.S.A. office, Kodak applies his 16 years of LEGO experience to overseeing sales, marketing and operations for the global toy brand in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America and Brazil. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors of the LEGO Community Fund U.S.
Kodak joined LEGO Group in 2002 as Vice President, U.S. Field Sales. He became Vice President, U.S. Customer Development in 2004. In 2006, Kodak was named Vice President, global Direct-to-Consumer and Outbound Licensing, responsible for all sales, marketing and operations of the company’s owned shopping channels and development of lifestyle categories with partners. In 2008, he became Vice President, global Direct-to-Consumer and Merlin Affairs, assuming leadership of driving collaboration and synergy with the company’s strategic operating partner of LEGOLAND® Parks and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centers worldwide. In 2009, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, global Direct-to-Consumer and Merlin Affairs. In 2012, he joined Corporate Management as Senior Vice President for Shopper Marketing and Channel Development. In 2014, Kodak was appointed Senior Vice President, global Supply Chain Planning & Distribution.
Prior to joining LEGO Group, Kodak held various sales and marketing roles at the Heinz Company (2000-2002), at Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. (1994-2000), and at Procter & Gamble (1987-1993).
Kodak currently sits on the board of directors of the Connecticut Children’s Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. He also serves as a board of directors member of the Toy Association.
Kodak is passionate and committed to advancing the needs of underserved children and families at risk. His interests include the many activities in which he and his family participate together, recreational sports, and traveling.
Kodak has a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Dartmouth College.
He and his wife, Nicole, reside in Connecticut, with their 5 children.
Sean McGowan, Managing Director, Gateway Investor Relations
Sean McGowan is currently Managing Director at Gateway Investor Relations. He joined the Newport Beach-based Investor Relations firm after a 30-year career as a sell-side analyst on Wall Street. Sean began covering toy stocks for a small NY-based brokerage firm in 1986. In 1989, he became a founding member of Gerard Klauer Mattison, a New York investment bank that in 2003 was acquired by the Bank of Montreal, becoming BMO Capital Markets. During his 17-year tenure at the firm, GKM/BMOCM became a leader in providing investment research and advisory services to a number of industries, notably the toy industry. After stints at Wedbush Securities, Needham & Co. and Oppenheimer, and in his 30th year on Wall Street, Sean left the Street to pursue a parallel path providing advisory services for companies in industries he has followed. And for some in the toy industry, he may always simply be “the guy who did that rap song at the Hall of Fame dinner.” He and his wife Heidi have five children aged 21-32 scattered around the globe.
Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President of Mattel’s North America Division
As senior vice president of Mattel’s North America Division, McKnight oversees the business and marketing strategies for the company’s newly formed US subsidiary across all Mattel Boys, Girls, and Infant Preschool brands. In this role, McKnight is responsible for aligning the North American Division with the organization’s Global Brand Team, spearheading the U.S. activation efforts for brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher Price and Thomas. McKnight oversees pricing and retail channel strategies, media planning and buying, public relations, promotions and advertising for the market. The U.S. continues to be the largest market for Mattel, and Mattel is, in turn, the industry leader representing approximately 18% market share. Mattel is also the #1 toy advertiser to kids in the U.S.
Prior to overseeing the entire Mattel and Fisher-Price brands portfolio, McKnight was the VP of Global Marketing for Barbie and responsible for the brand’s global marketing efforts. During her tenure on Barbie, she lead the re-launch of the brand kicking off with the 50th anniversary, propelling the world’s most popular fashion doll once again into the pop culture spotlight with a year of celebrations including an unprecedented New York Fashion Show with 50 designers celebrating this timeless fashion muse and real-life Barbie Malibu House installation designed by Jonathan Adler. She was instrumental in re-defining the brand’s global positioning and focusing marketing efforts around fashion, aspiration and cultural relevance. Under her tenure, Barbie saw four consecutive years of growth.
She has worked at Mattel since 1998 and has held responsibilities in consumer products, and marketing communications for a variety of brands including Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Mattel Corporate. Lisa has over 20 years of advertising and marketing experience, and prior to joining Mattel, she worked on brands ranging from the Gap to the Fairmont Hotels, to Taco Bell.
Julian Montoya, Senior Vice President of Global Toys, The Noble Collection
Julian Montoya is currently Senior Vice President at The Noble Collection. Previously, Montoya was Vice President of Global Toys, at Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP). He was responsible for overseeing global sales and implementing business development strategies to build brand strength and to maximize revenue, retail presence and market share for WBCP’s portfolio of properties in the Toy category globally. He directly supervised the domestic sales team and coordinated international efforts through category management teams in all markets.
Prior to joining WBCP in 2000, Montoya worked at Lucas Licensing as Director of International Licensing and Sales, where he was responsible for building a strategic marketing plan and overseeing all aspects of the development and management of the international licensing and merchandising program for the Star Wars brand, including the program for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Before working at Lucasfilm, Montoya was Executive Director of International Marketing at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. His career in the entertainment industry began in 1986 at Warner Home Video.
Montoya attended the University of San Diego and graduated from the University of Phoenix.
Nik Nayar, VP, Merchandising - Toys, Target
Nik began his career at Target in 1995 in Finance. Since then he has held several positions throughout the organization. In Jun 2014 Nik took over as VP Merchandising for the Toy Division. He is responsible for all teams focused on driving growth and profitability through product assortment, promotions, and pricing. Nik reports to the Senior Vice President of Hardlines.
Nik received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and his MBA from the University of Minnesota.
He is married to his wife Michelle and has three girls ages 11, 13 and 14. Nik is actively involved in his community through volunteer efforts in youth sports, non-profit boards and the UW-Madison School of Business. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the UW Business School, Center for Brand Management.
Andrew Quartin, CEO, Thames & Kosmos
Andrew currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Thames & Kosmos, a leading publisher of educational toys & games. Originally retained in 2012 in an advisory capacity to consult and assist with the due diligence and subsequent acquisition of Thames & Kosmos (Providence, RI) by Kosmos GmbH (Stuttgart, Germany), Andrew is responsible for the North American business unit of Kosmos. During his tenure, Thames & Kosmos has achieved six consecutive years of record profitability and top-line sales growth. His leadership skills, entrepreneurial and strategic vision, and frictionless customer service strategy have laid the groundwork to transform Thames & Kosmos into a highly profitable and rapidly growing entity. It’s rare to find a sales-focused entrepreneur who also possesses the essential financial, operational, marketing, merchandising and leadership skills necessary for long-term growth, balance and stability.
Previously, from 2002 to 2012, Andrew worked as a portfolio manager at Schottenfeld Associates, where he managed an investment portfolio of media, retail, technology, and diversified consumer products companies.
From 1994 to 2002, Andrew held various roles at Turn up the Music, the leading party music publisher in North America. While there Andrew progressed up through the organization and was ultimately appointed President. Through unconventional marketing and merchandising strategies, TUTM’s customer base grew from a handful of retail outlets to over 60,000 stores nationwide with unit sales in excess of 25 million and eight consecutive years of record revenue and profitability.
He is a graduate of Towson State University (Economics) and currently resides in Short Hills, NJ with his wife (Alison) of 20 years and two sons (Spencer & Gavin).
Maura Regan, President, Licensing International
Bringing more than 20 years of global licensing and media experience, Maura joined Licensing International in December 2016 and assumed the role of President in July 2018. Licensing International is the premier association for the global licensing industry, and Maura is responsible for leading the organization in defining and shaping its future focus. This has and will continue to include fostering the growth and expansion of licensing around the world and creating greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large.
As the former head of global consumer products at Sesame Workshop, the home of Sesame Street, Maura drove the non-profit organization’s strategic commercial initiatives with a focus on delivering significant unrestricted revenue to support the overarching philanthropic goals for the organization.
Prior to Sesame Workshop, where she enjoyed an exhilarating 17-year tenure, Maura held executive positions with MTV Networks, Scholastic Entertainment, and The Jim Henson Company.
Maura is a standing fellow of the US-Japan Foundation Leadership Program and on the board of One Animation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Recognized as a top leader in business by Irish-America magazine, Maura was also a recipient of the K.I.D.S. (now Delivering Good) Women of Achievement Award. Maura resides in NYC with her husband Jim and their daughter Fiona.
Caren Shalek, Principle, CAS Consulting
Caren has a diverse background in consumer products licensing and business development, having over 25 years experience directing all facets of iconic preschool and entertainment brands. She has been serving on the Board of Directors of The Toy Foundation Board of Trustees since 2013.
For the past nine years Caren has piloted a wide variety of successful projects, including technology and social-media-driven IP development, through her CAS Consulting company. Prior to consulting, Caren was Senior Vice President, Consumer Products at PorchLight Entertainment, a children’s and family entertainment company where she served on the Board of Directors. While at PorchLight, Caren was instrumental in the company becoming a leading manager of ancillary rights for children and family brands.
Caren spent 5 years with Mattel/Fisher-Price as Vice President Consumer Products, managing over 10,000 products and 100 licensees worldwide. She also served as Vice President of Licensing and Consumer Products and Product Development Worldwide for Sesame Workshop. It was Caren's team who first brought Tickle Me Elmo to market.
Caren holds a degree from Simmons College. She also completed the Thunderbird Global Leadership Program and the Senior Executive Mattel Global Leadership Curriculum.
Voin Todorovic, Chief Financial Officer, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Since 2014, Voin Todorovic has been a Chief Financial Officer for Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., a publicly-traded company offering an interactive retail-entertainment experience, where he oversees the treasury, corporate finance, information technology, and logistic services.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Todorovic was employed at Wolverine World Wide, Inc., a leading global footwear and apparel company, where he served as the head of finance and operations for its Lifestyle Group, which includes a portfolio of iconic brands such as Sperry Top-Sider®, Hush Puppies®, Keds®, and Stride Rite®. From 2011 to 2013 he was Vice President-Finance and Administration of the Stride Rite Children’s Group business, operating in wholesale, direct to consumer and international franchising, and from 2010 to 2011 he was Vice President of the Performance + Lifestyle Group. Prior to his tenure at Wolverine World Wide, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Collective Brands, Inc. and Payless ShoeSource.
Mr. Todorovic currently serves as the President of the Build-A-Bear Foundation. He also serves on the Advisory Board - Center for Finance and Accounting Research - Olin Business School, at Washington University.
Mr. Todorovic holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and MBA from Missouri State University.
Darren Traub, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
With notable experience in high-profile business, intellectual property, and entertainment litigation, Darren Traub helps emerging and industry-leading companies and prominent individuals develop and protect their intangible assets. Darren works collaboratively with his clients to proactively manage risk and avoid litigation whenever possible. When litigation is the appropriate path, Darren defends clients' businesses, brands, and proprietary information with a national focus in state and federal courts, as well as in private arbitrations and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Darren represents clients spanning a diverse range of industries from Fortune 500 companies to startups, including retail, fashion, and hospitality brands; international music festivals; record labels and other entertainment professionals; technology and software companies; hedge funds and private equity firms; and real estate developers. On behalf of his clients, Darren develops bespoke business strategies to grow and protect their assets through the use of trademark and copyright registrations, trade secrets, digital media, licensing, publicity, and internet-related content.
Darren also utilizes his extensive knowledge of his clients' most complex cybersecurity and data privacy issues to develop data security policies and procedures, as well as cybersecurity preparedness and response plans, to ensure clients are prepared in the event of a breach. He also provides customized breach counseling and coaching to clients involved in more than 70 breaches implicating domestic and international laws.
In addition to his professional work, Darren is actively involved in children’s charities and animal shelters. Darren has served as a mentor/youth advisor in the Athens Juvenile Detention Center, a ‘‘big’’ in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and is a frequent community volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club toy drive and CASA.
Bob Wann, Chief Play Monster, PlayMonster LLC
Bob Wann is the Chief Play Monster of PlayMonster LLC formerly Patch Products Inc, makers of, Roominate, Lauri and PlayMonster Branded toys, games and educational products. Bob proudly serves on the Executive Committee of The Toy Association's Board of Directors as well as on the Board of Directors of The Toy Foundation. He also holds the position of Vice-Chairman / Chairman-elect for The Toy Association and Chair for the PlayCon Conference Committee.
Wann has over 35 years of experience at both Fortune 500 and Entrepreneurial/Start-up companies in U.S and International markets. Through strategic brand and product development combined with creative marketing, he has overseen the development and growth of some of the most recognized brands in Toys and Consumer Packaged Goods, including M&M's, Johnson & Johnson, Fisher-Price, and Playskool. Wann developed his brand building and marketing skills at M&M Mars, Johnson & Johnson and American Greetings and later applied these skills as VP of Marketing at Fisher-Price, Executive Vice President of Playskool and President/Worldwide General Manager of Milton Bradley/Parker Bros at Hasbro, overseeing the successful introduction or growth of industry-recognized brands such as Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Fisher Price, Playskool, Nerf.
Wann is widely recognized as a creative thinker and marketer, developing award-winning programs such as "Family Game Night” and “Get Together Games.”
He has been married to his wife Amy, for 23 years, and resides in Lake Geneva, WI with their 19-year-old daughter Melanie and 27-year-old daughter Mackenzie.