Young Inventor Challenge
Judge/Mentors
We thank these and talented toy and game industry professionals for
volunteering their valuable time and expertise in guiding our Young Inventor
Challenge Entrants!
Director of the Young Inventor Challenge

Karen Luciana
After a 30 year career in education, Karen is joining POP as our Director of the Young Inventors' Challenge. Karen Luciana is a former teacher who helped launch the Young Inventor's Challenge 14 years ago. She believes and encourages the Power of Play both inside and outside of the classroom. Karen has promoted numerous games for use in the classroom. She has written Game Reviews, Educational Articles encouraging play in education, and curriculum for several games.
Thank You to our Judges & Mentors!

Director of Product Development, Goliath Games & Pressman Toys

Creative Director, Toy Industry Podcaster, Consultant, Product & Packaging Innovator

Principal at RN Branding & Licensing

Creative Director at Big G Creative

Creator at Gwen Austin Studios

Vice President for Collections at the Strong Museum

Client Relations at Fuse London, Ltd.

Partner at IDEO and Consulting Associate Professor at Stanford d.School

Inventor Relations Associate at Mattel, Inc.

Director at Fuse London

Partner, KID Group

New Business Development Head - Clamour - Connecting elite Influencers & top brands - Former Yulu, Hasbro, Reebok, Abercrombie Mktg. Exec.

Inventing and Marketing Playthings at Theora Concept Ltd

MPS Literacy, 6th Grade English Teacher at Sleepy Hollow Middle School

Senior Product Manager at Goliath Games

Game Inventor

Chief of Creation at Identity Games

Director of Marketing at NetBricks

Chief Brand Officer at FAR OUT TOYS, INC.

Social Media Marketer - White Wizard Games

Business Development at Nextoy

Managing Director at BlueSquare Innovations

Owner at Nextoy LLC and KenKen Puzzle

Inventor Relations, Goliath Games

Design Director at KID Group

Director Of Product Development at Thames & Kosmos

CEO and FOunder, Brain Games Publishing

President at Ruth Green Inc

Senior Director, Global Games Inventor Relations, Spin Master

Serious Game Designer at Columbia College Chicago

Senior Director Marketing and Business Development at Creativity, Inc.

Owner and Creative Designer at Creative Konzepts

Vice President of New Business at PlayMonster

Ahren Hoffman Director of Education & Training at American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)

Brand manager at Playmonster

Product category director at MARTINEX OY

CEO / President of Grand Legacy Corporation, Inventor, Author, Visionary Entrepreneur, Investor, Speaker

Amigo Games

Founder at KID Group

President, The Michael Kohner Corporation

inventRight Co-Founder / IGA (Inventor Groups Of America) Co-Founder

Board Games Agent, Whitecastle

CEO at Megableu USA

Co-Founder/Partner at KID Group

Innovation Project Manager at The United States Playing Card Company

Customer relations, Oink Games Europe

Incubation and New Business Specialist + Game Designer - Games at Spin Master

Head of New Business Development at Seven Towns Ltd

Founding Partner at Hoyt Games

Entrepreneur and Business Elevator at The Future Playground