Her Career
Her Career
Career
Recently married, has changed her name from Ankeney to Cohen.
12+ Years Industrial Design experience with mass and specialty toy manufacturing experience.
During my career, I have personally created new IP and product lines profiting multiple millions in sales annually. Over my career have generated over 50+ million in new IP profits and 400+ million in licensed global profits. Those brands range from evergreen to brands like Sanrio, Paw Patrol and Disney Pixar Cars to new IP with tokidoki and their Mermicorno Starfall on HBO Max, to name a few. I have gained insights into consumer’s wants/needs, and can turn those into innovated designs.
In addition to my design expertise, I have art directed many brands into metrically larger brands. Coordinated and lead global plans blending licensee’s needs with company needs during cross functional meetings. Managed teams of designers and cross functional teams of engineers, marketers, quality control, packaging and licensors. Together my teams have brought dozens of items to markets that launch around the world.
Career Timeline
Current Position
Current Position
Current Position
Director of Toy Department
12+ Years Industrial Design experience with mass and specialty toy manufacturing experience.
Currently oversees development, production, design and distribution of vinyl blind box toys. Communicates with factories to oversee all manufacturing processes and timelines. Handles strategy planning for all current and future toy release calendars. Manages all product quotes and costs while hitting targeted margins. Facilitates all communication with toy licensors and some licensees.
Improved metrics due to my actions:
raised company profits of toys 55% in 3 years
in 1 year, made 12+ million in toy profits
improved toy quality by 33% with improved methods of manufacturing
fully staffed toy design and development team to improve output by 50%
cost engineers toys and packaging during prelim design to help troubleshoot higher cost
manages quality issues in production and handles all toy testing reports for global distribution
Duties/Roles:
project manages manufacturing and design schedules
creates cost sheets for executive review and approval
people manages in duality with director roles
mentors designers and helps set goals that can be met
restructured toy department to best utilize talents within the team
Licensing:
Liaison with Licensors: Sanrio, Riot: Arcane and K/DA, Karl Lagerfeld, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, ONCH and Godzilla (Toho Co.)
Nurtures business relationships with existing/new businesses
Manages monthly business updates with licensing partners
Art Directing and Design:
presents trends to design teams and executives
ensures all toy series are themed well for full sell through
sketches new toys designs and develops through all phases of production
Buyers/Retailers:
manages updates for sales teams and buyers
creates exclusive items for retailers and big brand collaborations