The shortlist for this September’s awards ceremony in LA has been revealed, alongside special honourees in global impact and leadership
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) has revealed the finalists for the 2026 Wonder Women Awards, which celebrates leaders, innovators and changemakers who shapetoys, licensing, consumer products and entertainment.
The Awards Gala in September will also honour Sherrie Westin, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, with the prestigious Global Impact Award, and Steve Totzke, President and Executive Advisor at Mattel, with the Inclusive Leadership Award.
“The Wonder Women Awards celebrates leaders whose influence extends far beyond business results alone,” said Wonder Women Awards Co-Chairs Lourdes Arocho, SVP, Head of Licensing at Gap Inc., and Deirdre Cross, Founder and CEO of Tiffany Birdsong LLC.
“Sherrie Westin exemplifies the extraordinary power of purpose-driven leadership, using storytelling to create meaningful change for children and families around the world. We are also proud to recognize Steve Totzke for his longstanding commitment to mentorship, inclusion and the advancement of women across our industry.
“Together with this year’s finalists, they represent the innovation, leadership and community that continue to shape the future of toys, licensing, consumer products and entertainment.”
For decades, Sherrie Westin has helped redefine the power of storytelling as a force for meaningful change. Under her leadership, Sesame Workshop has continued to expand the reach of one of the world’s most trusted and beloved brands, delivering educational content and critical resources to children and families in more than 190 countries. Her work has advanced global initiatives focused on early childhood education, emotional well-being, and supporting children affected by conflict and crisis, demonstrating how entertainment and media can create meaningful change at scale.
WiT will also present the Inclusive Leadership Award to Steve Totzke, President and Executive Advisor at Mattel, recognizing his commitment to fostering mentorship, opportunity and inclusive leadership across the global consumer products industry. Through his leadership and advocacy, Steve has championed environments where collaboration, representation and the advancement of women continue to thrive.
The 2026 Wonder Women Awards will take place 17 September at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, where Bronson Plaza and the Paramount Theatre will transform into an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence, leadership and connection across the global industry. Voting for the Wonder Women Awards is open to WiT members from July 6 through July 24, 2026, and winners will be announced live at the gala.
Click here to reserve tickets, view the full list of finalists, or learn more about the celebration.
