Griddly Games’ Schwartzman Named Top Toy Woman for Canada
Reisa Schwartzman, president of Griddly Games, Inc. has been named Chairwoman for Canada of Women In Toys. The appointment of Schwartzman marks a major milestone for WIT, as the organization expands its global presence. Founded in 1991, WIT is the official not-for-profit professional network of women working within the toy, entertainment and licensing industries.
“I’m honored to be elected in a leadership role for WIT and I welcome the opportunity to continue to strengthen the organization’s efforts,” Schwartzman said. “By establishing Griddly Games in Canada, I am very familiar with the advantages and disadvantages here. With our network we can offer other women a great deal of useful information about the international operations for importing and exporting goods and services in Canada.”
The members of WIT work together to assist each another in developing contacts and offering a diverse network of strengths and capabilities that can successfully improve all types of businesses under the toy industry banner.
An emerging leader in the toy industry, Schwartzman found herself in the business after being frustrated to find quality games that her kids would love to play over and over. She took matters into her own hands by acquiring a struggling game company and resurrecting it as Griddly Games, Inc., a board game company that would offer all-new family-friendly games and sports themed games, where non-sports fanatics wouldn’t have to know all the rules of the sport to be able to play. Teaming with Penny Osborn, also a WIT member and mother of three boys, Griddly Games is bringing games to the market that promote, not only playing board games, but inspiring kids to get out, get involved, and practice some healthy life actions.
Recently, Griddly Games was honored with the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and Dr. Toy Top Products for 2008 for its Wise Alec™ game; its Griddly Headz™ Baseball game was named Top Game of the Year by Creative Child and landed on the Best Games of the Year list from The Washington Post; and Griddly Headz™ NASCAR® Racing Games is a Top Pick by Toy Wishes Magazine.
Schwartzman, who holds a BPE in exercise physiology and dance, had a long history of sports and dance as a choreographer, fitness instructor, and owner of her own dance school, explains the philosophy and name of her company. “Griddly Games is named after the full ‘grid’ of people in the world. The games are for anyone to play, and all ages to play together.” Schwartzman had her own dance school for 18 years and worked in her family construction and development business, but when the opportunity came to get involved in something as creative and dynamic as the board game business, she couldn’t help herself jump in headfirst!
Griddly Games are games that get you going. Founded in 2007, Griddly Games is based in Richmond, British Columbia, near Vancouver. As former educators who combine for over 30 years of professional work with children, the co-founders of Griddly Games keep a strict company philosophy to offer games that encourage social interaction, learning, strategy and challenges that anyone (the entire grid of people) can enjoy. To discover more about Griddly Games, visit http://www.griddlygames.com.
For additional information, or to join Women in Toys, visit http://www.WomeninToys.com
