Toy & Game International Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs
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!
Interested in being a mentor/judge? Email Alicia Alexander!
Young Inventor Challenge Team
Karen Luciana, Co-Director
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.
Jaz Darden, Co-Director
Alicia Alexander, Judge/Mentor Liaison
Thank You to our Judges & Mentors!
Director of Product Development, Goliath Games & Pressman Toys
Creative Director, Toy Industry Podcaster, Consultant, Product & Packaging Innovator
Creator at Gwen Austin Studios
Senior Product Manager at Think Fun
Inventor Relations at Fisher-Price
Client Relations at Fuse London, Ltd.
Design Director at What Do You Meme?
New Business Development Head - Clamour - Connecting elite Influencers & top brands - Former Yulu, Hasbro, Reebok, Abercrombie Mktg. Exec.
Specialty Sales Manager at Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld, Inventor of the Hip Town card game by Endless Games
Inventing and Marketing Playthings at Theora Concept Ltd
Vendor Manager at Publisher Services, Inc
Senior Manager, Inventor Relations at Mattel, Inc.
Senior Product Manager at Goliath Games
Toy Inventor at Fuse London Ltd
Chief of Creation at Identity Games
Director of Marketing at NetBricks
Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Brand Management Executive, Chief Marketing Officer | Senior Brand Management Executive. Pablo Pescado Brand Management
Board Game Designer and Backer Support Manager at Doomlings
Managing Director at BlueSquare Innovations
Owner at Nextoy LLC and KenKen Puzzle
Inventor Relations, Goliath Games
Owner, Creative Catalyst at Paper Bag Creative
President at Ruth Green Inc
Senior Director, Global Games Inventor Relations, Spin Master
Senior Director, Inventor Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Mattel, Inc.
Director of Marketing at Goliath Games
Director of Sales and Marketing at Publisher Services, 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)
Product category director at MARTINEX OY
Business Development Manager at Publisher Services, Inc
The Numbers Lady
Project Management | Product Development | Licensing - Idea Planet
Founder at KID Group
Freelance Unity Developer, Teacher, Artist
President, The Michael Kohner Corporation
Co-Founder/Partner at KID Group
Vice President of Innovation at Spin Master
Incubation and New Business Specialist + Game Designer - Games at Spin Master
Game Designer and Product Development Manager at MEGABLEU
Head of New Business Development at Seven Towns Ltd
Founding Partner at Hoyt Games
Entrepreneur and Business Elevator at The Future Playground
Founder and CEO, Shore Buddies
Managing Director Genie Toys
Toymaker, and President at Goliath, Pressman Toy Corporation and Jax Ltd.
Inventor Relations, Consumer Products & Toys, Licensing, Product Development, Open Innovation Programs and Retail Strategy for Master Toy Advisors
CEO, Longshore
Founder, Fun-damental Invention, Ltd.