Yehuda Shmidman is a veteran of the brand management industry, having successfully deployed more than USD $4 billion of capital over nearly two decades into acquiring, growing and monetizing global consumer brands.

His experience expanded during his career to multiple consumer segments including fashion, hardgoods, home, wellness, media, celebrity, sports and electronics, with direct leadership over dozens of world famous brands including TOYS“R”US, ANNE KLEIN, MARTHA STEWART and PEANUTS.

Yehuda currently serves as Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of WHP Global, a New York based brand management firm founded in 2019 together with Oaktree Capital and is also now backed by Ares and BlackRock. WHP Global’s brand portfolio generates over USD $7 billion in annual retail sales, and includes JOE’S JEANS, ANNE KLEIN, BONOBOS, JOSEPH ABBOUD, EXPRESS, G-STAR RAW, LOTTO, TOYS“R”US and BABIES“R”US.

Yehuda currently sits – and has previously served on – multiple public and private boards, both commercial and nonprofit. He also angel invests from time to time.

Over the years, Fortune Magazine and Crain’s New York both included Yehuda in their prestigious “40 Under 40” lists, and multiple universities – including Columbia University, NYU Stern School of Business and Fordham Law School – have featured Yehuda as a guest lecturer to deliver insights into the future of consumer brands and the retail industry.

Yehuda holds a B.A. degree magna cum laude from Yeshiva University in New York.

Effy Zinkin is a founding member of the leadership team at WHP Global and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Company’s brand portfolio. Effy brings over two decades of expertise in C-level roles within the apparel and accessory industries. He began his career at Marc Ecko Enterprises, serving as its President, where he oversaw its expansion to over $1.5 billion in retail sales and successful exit in 2013.

Subsequently, Effy founded Big Brand Builders, a brand and retail advisory business, counting Revlon and licensees to Under Armour and Major League Baseball among its clients. Prior to his current position, he also held the roles of President of Concept One Accessories, and later President at Icon Eyewear.

Effy holds a B.S. degree in Finance from Sy Syms School of Business, Yeshiva University, and a J.D. degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Stanley Silverstein is a 30+ year retail industry leader with unparalleled expertise in licensing, global strategy and brand development.  Stanley currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer of WHP Global, leading brand acquisition and business development for WHP’s portfolio of brands which includes iconic names such as Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us, Joseph Abboud, and Anne Klein. Prior to joining WHP, Stanley was President of International Development and Global Licensing for Perry Ellis International. He also served as a longtime senior executive at Warnaco/PVH where he was responsible for the company’s highly successful global expansion of its brands including Calvin Klein.

A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, Stanley is a member of the Board of Trustees of The New School in New York City and the Fashion Scholarship Fund, and a member of NYU Stern Fashion & Luxury Council.

Matthew Finigan is a seasoned finance executive with over 20 years of experience in financial strategy, capital markets and risk management. He most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer of Tru Kids Brands since the company’s establishment in 2019. In this role, Matt was instrumental in launching the operations for the Toys“R”Us brand and paving the way to its eventual acquisition by WHP Global. Prior to joining Tru Kids, Matt spent 15 years at Toys“R”Us Inc. in senior financial management roles, most recently as Vice President – Global Treasurer.

He holds a master’s degree in business administration from the NYU Stern School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Gregg Donnenfeld is Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of WHP Global, responsible for handling and oversight of all legal matters concerning our brands and businesses. Gregg has nearly 30 years of experience practicing law, both at top law firms and in-house for major global companies. Gregg began his career at Proskauer Rose, where he led the firm’s trademark registration and licensing practices, and later served as General Counsel of multiple global apparel, technology, consumer product, media and other businesses. He specializes in all aspects of corporate, intellectual property, licensing and business law.

Gregg received his undergraduate degree from University of Michigan (highest honors), law school degree from Cornell Law School (magna cum laude) and Executive MBA from NYU Stern School of Business (class valedictorian). He is admitted to practice law in New York, California, New Jersey and Florida.

Scott has over 20 years of experience in the retail and executive recruiting sectors. Prior to joining WHP Global, Scott was President of SBC Group, a leading executive search firm. Before that, Scott was President of The Franklin Mint, the iconic collectibles retailer, where he managed all aspects of the business and ultimately oversaw the successful exit to Sequential Brands Group in 2013. Scott holds a B.A. degree from Albany University.

Russ Banker is a founding member of the WHP Global team. Prior to helping launch WHP Global, he worked at Sequential Brands Group in the Corporate Development group where he worked on a variety of M&A and new business initiatives across its brand portfolio. He began his career at IBM where he most recently worked in the firm’s corporate acquisitions & divestitures group. Russ holds a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College and M.B.A. from NYU Stern School of Business.

Jaime Cassavechia is the co-Founder & Principal of NY-based public relations firm EJ Media Group. In her current role, Jaime oversees all external communications, public relations and media strategy for WHP Global and its portfolio of brands.  Capitalizing on 20+ years of PR and corporate communications experience, Jaime specializes in partnering with CEOs, entrepreneurs and talent to architect and execute brand strategies, lead media relations, steer corporate communications and handle crisis situations.

She is highly skilled at driving national media and consumer awareness through carefully crafted communication strategies. As a partner for executives of growth companies, startups, and established consumer brands, Jaime is often relied upon as a strategic advisor to develop macro brand strategies that resonate, engage, and capture a targeted audience.