UPDATE: Final Category Revealed! The Influentials 2023 ShortlistUPDATE: Final Category Revealed! The Influentials 2023 Shortlist
See the full list of nominees for License Global’s annual Influentials report.
October 24, 2023

License Global is pleased to announce the shortlisted finalists for The Influentials 2023.
The Influentials pays tribute to the most prolific executives influencing the business of brand licensing in ways that will change the face of how we do business in the years to come.
The nominations have been counted, the judges have gathered and License Global is pleased to release its first look at the Shortlist of nominees across each category.
The Influentials 2023 Shortlist
FINAL CATEGORY REVEAL: The License Global Influential of 2023
An individual chosen for excellence in all categories or one specific, earth-shattering example of how an individual can create a sea of change.
Andrew Carley, director, global licensing, BBC Studios
Mathieu Galante, licensing director, EMEA, The Pokémon Company International
Judd Zebersky (chief executive officer, founder, Jazwares) and Laura Zebersky (president, chief commercial officer, Jazwares)
Terése Whitehead, vice president, consumer products, strategy, NFL Players Association
Adina Avery-Grossman, managing director, Brandgenuity
Pooneh Mohajer, co-founder, chief executive officer, Tokidoki
Debra Joester, president, The Joester Loria Group
“The Innovator”
An individual who has played a vital role in industry advancements; be it sustainable processes, manufacturing, business standards or product design.
Daryl White, executive vice president, global licensing, business development, Falcon's Beyond
Eliza Kapitan, vice president, brands, Accutime Watch Corp.
Gilbert El Kalaani, chief executive officer, Difuzed
Richard North, president, Wow! Stuff
Trevor George, chief executive officer, Trevco
“The Changemaker”
An individual who has contributed to advancements or created validated internal programs or product programs that promote and bring permanent change in diversity and inclusion.
Dr. Lisa Williams, chief executive officer, The Dr. Lisa Williams Company (formerly World of EPI)
Tina Xavie, chief marketing officer, CMG Worldwide
Natalie Lennox, director, finance, operations, Beanstalk
James Fielding, president, Archer Gray Co-Lab Group
Genna Rosenberg, chief executive officer, GennComm
“The Collaborator”
An individual who has developed an exceptional brand collaboration and/or cross-category product collaboration program.
Corbin Wallace, chief growth officer, Simple Modern
Robin Sayetta, head, business development, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Federico San Martin, director, Minecraft consumer products, Microsoft
Fée Heyer, head, global licensing, Devolver Digital
Anna Choi Yi, design director, licensing and entertainment, Spin Master
“The Disruptor”
An individual that has inspired the licensing community to adopt a new way of business or school of thought.
Allana Holmes, director, brand, sales, home and lifestyle, Hunter Price International
Mathilde LeBorgne, director, marketing, Global Licensing Group
Matthew Proulx, vice president, location-based entertainment, Hasbro
Dave Tovey, associate vice president, brand management – head, digital representation, Tinderbox
“The Newcomer”
The person behind the licensed consumer product which has garnered huge reach, revenue growth and/or ongoing opportunities for the brand/intellectual property.
Teresa Curtis, manager, licensing, business development, Jay Franco and Sons Inc.
John Kutteh, manager, manufacturer representation, Brand Central
Olivia Wigget, commercial manager, The Point.1888
Victoria Profit, manager, brand management, Beanstalk
“The Expert”
An individual who has contributed to the business of brand licensing deeply over the course of their storied career.
David Gindi, president, Starwood Brands
Simon Philips, president, Falcon's Beyond
Michael Connolly, founder, chief executive officer, Retail Monster
Debra Restler, senior vice president, business development, marketing, Beanstalk
Ross Misher, chief executive officer, Brand Central
Christina Nix Lynch, director, licensing, King Features
“The Brand Builder”
The person behind the licensed consumer product which has garnered huge reach, revenue growth and/or ongoing opportunities for the brand/intellectual property.
Molly Robbins, senior vice president, global licensing, business development, USP
Suzy Lee Raia, senior vice president, consumer products, business development, BBC Studios
April Showers, chief executive officer, Afro Unicorn
George Wade, president, Bay Laurel Advisors
“The Influencer”
An individual that has gone out of their way to better the industry through open-source thinking, editorial contribution, public speaking and mentoring. The Influencer is a voice that carries.
Rosalind Nowicki, advisory board member, Fabacus
Michael Abata, executive marketing brand director, Made by Gather
Susan Bolsover, managing director, founder, Lightbulb Licensing
Isaac Larian, founder, chief executive officer, MGA Entertainment
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT)
Winners of The Influentials 2023 will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Read more about:
The InfluentialsFalcon's BeyondAccutimeDifuzedwow! stuffTrevcoBeanstalkMOMAmicrosoftSpin MasterHunter Price InternationalHasbroTinderboxBrand CentralThe Point.1888Retail MonsterKing FeaturesBBCAfro UnicornMGA EntertainmentWomen In ToysLicense Global OriginalGlobalPokémonJazwaresNFL Players AssociationNFLPABrandgenuityTokidokiThe Joester Loria GroupJoester Loria GroupAbout the Author(s)
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