The Toy Association has elected seven new members to its Board of Directors and renewed two members’ terms during its annual general meeting. Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Buid-A-Bear Workshop, will assume the role of Chairperson and serve on the Executive Committee.
Toy Association membership elected seven new members to the Board of Directors: Vish Chandran, CEO of Wild Republic; Tim Kilpin, President of Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment at Hasbro; Bryan Scott, Vice President of Merchandising at Target; Wes Hardin, CEO of Diverse Marketing; Max Rangel, Director, Global President, and CEO of Spin Master; Rob Michaelis, Vice President of Commercialization, Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products at The Walt Disney Co.; and Duncan Billing, Chair of the Board of Advisors at Moose Toys.
With Sharon Price John assuming the role of chairperson, we welcome an exceptional visionary whose guidance promises to steer our organization toward continued growth and innovation. Sharon’s diverse toy background and impressive tenure at Build-A-Bear Workshop speaks volumes about her strategic acumen and leadership. Her proven track record of revitalizing brands across companies and driving sustainable success will undoubtedly bolster our mission of advancing the toy and play industry.
Two members were elected to serve additional two-year terms. Anne Carrihill, Director and General Manager, Category Leader of Toys and Games at Amazon, was elected to serve a third term. Geoffrey Greenberg, Co-President of Just Play, was elected to a second term. Association board members are elected for two-year terms and may be nominated for re-election twice before being required to depart the board.
Chairperson Emeritus Aaron Muderick, Founder and Executive Chair of Crazy Aaron’s, is ending a two-year term as Chairperson and is taking over as Chair of the Board Nominating Committee. Muderick presented the 2024 Chairperson’s Award to Steven Aarons, Founder of Child’s Play Toys & Books.
“We are grateful to Aaron Muderick for his leadership these past two years and dedication to protecting and promoting the collective interests of our industry,” Keimach says. “As an inventor, entrepreneur, and accomplished business owner, Aaron’s tenure has been characterized by a profound understanding of our diverse membership base and a steadfast commitment to advocating for all within the expansive toy and play community.”
“The Toy Association team, alongside our Board of Directors and numerous volunteer committees, is laser focused on addressing the diverse needs of members across all scales and sectors and the industry as a whole,” Keimach says. “Whether they are established household brands or emerging startups and inventors, every company contributes significantly to the vitality, expansion, and innovation within the toy and play community. Between our advocacy work, data-driven research and education offerings, trend reports, and other strategic initiatives, we will continue to protect the industry from legislative roadblocks, deliver toys to children in need through The Toy Foundation, provide invaluable resources for navigating market complexities, and champion the importance of play.”
The The Toy Association’s 2024 Advisory Committee will be announced soon.
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