Yehuda Shmidman is a veteran of the brand management industry, having successfully deployed more than USD $3 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, toys, 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 $6.5 billion in annual retail sales, and includes JOE’S JEANS, ANNE KLEIN, JOSEPH ABBOUD, EXPRESS, ISAAC MIZRAHI, LOTTO, TOYS“R”US and BABIES“R”US. WHP Global is also parent to WHP+, a turnkey e-commerce platform, and WHP SOLUTIONS, a sourcing agency based in Asia.

Yehuda has served on multiple public and private boards, both commercial and nonprofit, and he angel invests from time to time. He currently is a member of the board of directors of Express, Inc. (NYSE: EXPR), an active board member and executive committee member of the Fashion Scholarship Fund, and sits on the board of Wave Hill, a public garden & cultural center in New York. 

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.

Hank Snoh is a Vice President at Oaktree Capital Management and a board member of WHP Global. Prior to joining Oaktree, he was a member of the Restructuring & Special Situations group at PJT Partners. Mr. Snoh holds an A.B. in Mathematics from Harvard College.

Effy Zinkin has over 20 years of experience in various C-level positions in the apparel and accessory industries. Effy began his career at Marc Ecko Enterprises, most recently serving as its President, where he oversaw its expansion to over $1 billion in retail sales and successful exit in 2013.

After this, he was President of Concept One Accessories. Effy then formed Big Brand Builders, a brand and retail advisory business, which included clients such as Revlon and licensees to Under Armour and Major League Baseball. Mr. Zinkin most recently served as President of 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.

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.

Throughout her career, Kim has worked with a multitude of well-known brands, A-list celebrities and studios including Paramount, Warner Brothers, PBS and CBS. She is an active member of the woman’s leadership organization, Chief.

Jaime Cassavechia is the Co-Founder & Principal of NY boutique public relations firm EJ Media Group. 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. Jaime oversees all communications, public relations and media strategy for WHP Global, the parent company to ANNE KLEIN, JOSEPH ABBOUD and TOYS“R”US.