Otis College is excited to announce that Jennifer Caveza—a consumer products executive specializing in the toy and licensing industries—returns to Otis as the new chair of the Toy Design program effective July 1. Caveza previously served as Assistant Chair of the Toy Design program at Otis from 2001-2006, and most recently was Senior Vice President of Toy Licensing at ViacomCBS, where she oversaw licensing deals and identified new business opportunities for the entertainment company’s top global franchises. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Toy Association and Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment.
Throughout her career in children’s entertainment, Caveza has managed world-renowned brands and held executive management roles at top toy companies, including Mattel and JAKKS Pacific, and at Grey Advertising, where she handled the Hasbro Parker Brothers’ Game account. Essential to her roles has been working with content creators to ensure their stories were translated to successful consumer products.
“I am so excited to welcome Jennifer back to Otis College. The experience and knowledge she has gained over the years will be invaluable for our students,” says Provost Jiseon Lee Isbara.
“Toys and play are such an important part of our world,” says Caveza. “Our students will shape the industry, impact society, and inspire generations to come. It will be my honor and privilege to empower them with the tools they need to succeed in their careers and lives.”
Otis College offers the only dedicated four-year Toy Design program in the world, with faculty and guest mentors who are toy design and entertainment professionals. Graduates finish the program well-versed in everything from conceptual and technical drawing to prototyping and storytelling, and go on to work for global companies such as Mattel, Spin Master, and Disney, to name just a few. “We’re fortunate to be located in Los Angeles, a toy industry hub,” says Caveza. “Local companies support the program in many ways, including in the employment of our students.”
Caveza looks forward to collaborating with the toy industry on special projects and design initiatives and to fulfilling companies’ design needs with talented students and innovative ideas. If you are interested in speaking with her or learning more, she may be reached at jcaveza@otis.edu.
Main image by Jennifer Atalla.