Our Company

Heather Smith
President

Heather runs the Company and is responsible for the overall leadership, evolution, and performance of The Good Toy Group, with oversight and direction by The Board of Directors. She joined the team in 2016 to develop and implement a five-year strategic vision, plan, and process for evolving The Good Toy Group to a member-owned cohesive buying group and full circle marketing resource for all customer channels serving more than 1,000,000 families across the US & Canada. Day to Day, she manages the Office, Creative, Product Leadership and Board Teams through the annual production of catalogs and strategic projects. The main purpose of the Staff is to carry out the ongoing operations of the business and ensure the long-term success of The Good Toy Group. Heather earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from The Wharton School of UPenn and shares her 30+ years of experience in strategy, management consulting, leadership, organizational and personal transformation, retail, wellness, mindfulness and entrepreneurship with The Good Toy Group community every day. She grew up working in her mom’s toy stores, Juggles (2 locations) and The Toy Cellar.

23 North Rd Suite A 14
Peace Dale RI 02879

C. 516-493-2708

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Jess Candee
Director

Jess has been with The Good Toy Group for nearly 20 years. She is responsible for Catalog Production and Design, Operational Excellence, Member Personalization, Key Company Events, Member .Net Site, Vendor .Net Site, the TGTG Brand assets, and all aspects that support TGTG excellence in execution and realization of our hopes & dreams. Jess uses her 20+ year-experienced toy industry expertise to ensure every detail of each project we undertake is perfect. She brings warmth, passion, and personal dedication to everything she does. Jess sees to the success of our major Member events by managing the flow of work plus all the details and is the keeper of the Company’s timelines throughout the year. She is heavily involved in our web projects, has a great eye for catalog design appeal, with expertise that the whole group relies on. Jess worked at a specialty toy store for 6 years prior to joining us, while earning her BFA. She is a special person, unique artist, and devoted Staff member. We could not do what we do without her!

23 North Rd Suite A 14
Peace Dale RI 02879

P. 401-284-0610

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Olympia Demetropoulos
Senior Project Coordinator & Product Team Assistant

Olympia joined our team in 2021 and gained instant warmth, kinship, and respect for her unique blend of aesthetics, toy store retail experience, and technical detail. She is fearless in pursuing ways to make it easier to do our work and, like Jess, has learned many technical programming skills, apps, and new tools to help make the whole group experience for Members, Vendors, and Staff – better, easier, faster, simplified and more awesome! Olympia is essential and our work would not be possible without her. She is a creative artist with much to contribute, a glamourous eye, and organizational excellence. She grew up working in her mom’s toy and gift stores (3-5 locations) in Maine. We are thrilled to have her on the team and support her growth and development as a rising star at The Good Toy Group and in the specialty toy industry.

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Annette Carrar
Finance Director

Annette Carrar is our Finance Director and joined the team in September 2022 and brings a wealth of experience as a CEO, COO, CFO, and experienced leader across key company functions. She is responsible for the accounting, financial success, and consistent stewardship of vital Member and Office resources. A 25-year colleague of Heather’s, she brings fun, joy, and common sense to any endeavor. Annette leads the financial progression and evolution of electronic payments, integration with AirTable, K1 Distributions, the company’s financial health and soundness with oversight from The Board of Directors, as well as other streamlining and greater ease of conducting business together initiatives. We are so grateful to have her and welcome her to the Team!

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Ginger Milligan
Product Director

Ginger spearheads Product Selection with Kate Noreen and the Product Leadership Team throughout the year. A seasoned retailer, great leader, and 20+ year veteran of Product Selection for The Good Toy Group, Ginger brings humor, directness, and profitability to the complex journey that is Product Selection for 100+ independent owners! Ginger attends many toy and trade shows throughout the year, as well as coordinates TGTG’s Product Selection Team to canvas the Group for the best trends, quality toys, and wonderful playthings for children. She drives selection for all products featured in our catalogs each year, finding the “leaned in” balance between classic, good sellers and new, popular, or “hot” right now to represent all of our Members. Ginger is deeply interested in data and studying what works in each Member’s home market. A founding TGTG Member, Ginger and her family have owned Fantasy Island Toys in Fairhope, AL for 45 years. Ginger served as Assistant Product Director and Co-Product Director for 20 years. She is an outstanding, valued, respected leader and a driving force for our future + continued success!

P: 251-928-1720

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