CHAIRMAN & CEO

Yehuda Shmidman

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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.

CO-FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER

Thomas Casarella

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Thomas Casarella is a Managing Director and Assistant Portfolio Manager at Oaktree Capital Management. Prior to joining Oaktree in 2012, he served as Deputy Chief Restructuring Officer at the United States Department of the Treasury. Before that, Mr. Casarella was a member of the Private Equity group at Brookfield Asset Management, following earlier career roles Lazard and Goldman Sachs.

He is a board member of Boardriders, Crossroads Building Supply and Kondaur Capital Management, Techstyle Fashion Group, and WHP Global. Mr. Casarella is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Children’s Bureau. Mr. Casarella holds an A.B. degree summa cum laude from Bowdoin College, an M.A. degree in economics from Oxford University, and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. He is also a CFA charterholder.

BOARD MEMBER

Hank Sneddon

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Hank Sneddon 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. Sneddon holds an A.B. in Mathematics from Harvard College.

BOARD MEMBER

Christopher Pucillo

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Christopher Pucillo is President, Chief Investment Officer, and Founder of Solus Alternative Asset Management LP. Solus is a multi-billion dollar SEC-registered, independent investment management company overseeing investments on behalf of institutional investors. Mr. Pucillo founded Solus in 2007 after more than a decade of high yield, leveraged loan and distressed investing. Prior to Solus, he served as Head of Hedge Fund Strategies at Stanfield Capital Partners.

Mr. Pucillo began his career at Bankers Trust where he was responsible for the structuring and negotiation of leveraged loans and helped establish the firm’s high yield loan trading business. He went on to serve as Head of High Yield Loan Trading at Morgan Stanley and was instrumental in launching its leveraged loan effort. Mr. Pucillo was one of the four founding members of the Loan Syndications and Trading Association and formerly served as an Executive Committee Member.

Mr. Pucillo is a board member of Bristow Group, Next Wave, and WHP Global. Mr. Pucillo received a BA in Economics from Lafayette College in 1989, and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1997.

BOARD MEMBER

Jordan Smith

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Jordan Smith is a Partner in the Ares Private Equity Group. Prior to joining Ares in 2011, Mr. Smith was an Analyst at Lazard, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions across various industries. Mr. Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, LaserAway and WHP Global. Previously, Mr. Smith served on the Board of Directors of DevaCurl, Farrow & Ball, Insight Global and Valet Living. Mr. Smith holds a B.S. with high honors from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
BOARD MEMBER

Aaron Rosen

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Mr. Rosen is a Partner and Co-Portfolio Manager of Special Opportunities in the Ares Private Equity Group, where he focuses on investing across the various Ares fund platforms in the public and private markets. Mr. Rosen serves as a member of the Ares Private Equity Group’s Corporate Opportunities and Special Opportunities Investment Committees. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Savers Value Village, Inc., and the parent entities of Integrated Power Services, Panoramic Health, Hornbeck Offshore Services and WHP Global. Prior to joining Ares in 2018, Mr. Rosen was a Partner and Director of Research at Archview Investment Group, where he focused on credit and equity investments in both in the U.S. and internationally. Prior to Archview, Mr. Rosen was a Vice President at Citigroup, where he was a founding member of the Citibank Global Special Situations Group focused on U.S. credit and value equity investment strategies. In addition, Mr. Rosen was a member of Citigroup’s Asset-Based Finance group, where he focused on structuring senior secured debt financings for non-investment grade corporate borrowers. Mr. Rosen holds a B.S., summa cum laude, from New York University’s Stern School of Business in Finance and Information Systems, where he received the Valedictorian Award.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & GENERAL COUNSEL

Effy Zinkin

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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.

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

Stanley Silverstein

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Stanley Silverstein is a 30+ year retail industry leader with expertise in licensing, global strategy and development. He joins WHP from Perry Ellis International, where he served as President of International Development and Global Licensing. Prior to Perry Ellis, Stanley was 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.

He 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. Stanley is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Matthew Finigan

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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.

HEAD OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Jaime Cassavechia

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Jaime Cassavechia is the Co-Founder & Principal of NY boutique public relations firm EJ Media Group. Capitalizing on over 18 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.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, TOYS“R”US

Jamie Uitdenhowen

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Jamie Uitdenhowen has more than 20 years of experience as a global business leader managing omnichannel retail businesses. At WHP, Jamie leads the Toys“R”Us brand team and network of global license partners. Having spent more than 18 years at Toys“R”Us, Inc., he has become a respected executive in the toy industry, with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams, identifying and leveraging market trends and building strong relationships. Jamie currently serves as a board observer of TOYS”R”US ANZ (ASX:TOY).

Jamie has a master’s degree in business administration from Seton Hall University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Temple University.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, TOYS“R”US & PRESIDENT OF TOYS“R“US STUDIOS

Kim Miller Olko

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Kim Miller is a 4-time Emmy Award winner with 20+ years as a transformational media leader and brand storyteller. At WHP, Kim is CMO of Toys“R”Us and President of the newly established Toys“R”Us Studios. Prior to WHP, Kim served as a longtime senior executive at Martha Stewart where she found and engaged diverse audiences through global brand partnerships, nationwide live experiences, and award-winning television – most notably as executive producer of the acclaimed Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party.

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.

HEAD OF MARKETING & WHP+ ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Jameel Spencer

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Jameel Spencer is an award-winning veteran brand builder, who has played pivotal business roles for Shaquille O’Neal, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Simpson over the last 25 years. At WHP Global, Jameel leads the creative marketing, celebrity talent development, and Diversity & Inclusion efforts across the brand portfolio.
He is the Founder and CEO of the marketing agency Writeful Place. His agency scripts narratives for personalities, brands, and businesses looking to realize unexploited revenue potential.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FASHION

Tony Assorgi

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Tony Assorgi has spent close to 20 years leading sales and merchandising for global brands in the fashion industry. At WHP Global, he manages the network of licensee and retail partners for the ANNE KLEIN and JOSEPH ABBOUD brands.

Prior to WHP, Tony served as the Vice President of Sales at Buffalo Jeans. He began his career at Tommy Hilfiger and has held senior positions at Li & Fung, Global Brands Group, Centric Brands and Marc Ecko Enterprises.

CHIEF TALENT OFFICER

Scott Book

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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.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, LOTTO

Margaret Kivett

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Margaret Kivett has more than 20 years of experience in Licensing/Brand Management and has played a significant role in building and growing global brands with large Licensee portfolios. She spent 15 years managing the Everlast Licensing Program prior to joining WHP. She has a proven track record in identifying strategic opportunities and partnerships, cultivating long term relationships, generating revenue, and managing P&Ls. Margaret leads the Lotto Brands Team and works closely with the Italian based Team where Lotto Footwear and Apparel are designed and developed. Lotto has over 50 licensees in its global program and drives over $400m in Retail Sales. Margaret has a JD from the University of Richmond School of Law and a BA from Denison University.
MANAGING DIRECTOR, CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

Russ Banker

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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.

HEAD OF DIGITAL, WHP+

Ron Breakstone

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Ron Breakstone is an innovative eCommerce leader with over two decades of experience scaling high growth digital businesses. Ron joins WHP from GODIVA Chocolatier where he was the Global Head of eCommerce overseeing digital sales for the billion-dollar brand distributed in more than 100 countries.

Prior to GODIVA, he spent 7 years as Vice President of eCommerce at FreshDirect, the leading online grocer with nearly $800 million in sales per annum during his tenure. He is a board member of BWG Strategy and eCom Advisory. Ron has both his undergraduate degree and MBA from The George Washington University.

Vice President of Business Development

Lauren Montemaro

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Lauren Montemaro has 10+ combined years of Licensing, Business Development and Brand Management experience and has received industry awards by both Licensing International and Omnicom Group.
 
Lauren leads business development initiatives across the WHP brand portfolio. Given her brand and category expertise across key verticals – Home, Food & Beverage, Beauty & Wellness, Fashion, CPG, Entertainment, and Celebrity – she has become a respected leader in the licensing industry.
 
Prior to WHP Global, Lauren worked at Beanstalk, part of Omnicom Group, where she most recently led global licensing programs and drove revenue for corporate brands, including Kellogg, Diageo, HGTV, Honda and more.  Lauren began her career at Avon as part of the Global Alliances team. Lauren holds both a B.A. in Marketing and Accounting and a M.B.A.
VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Inssaf Najid

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Inssaf Najid has 8+ years of experience in Brand Management and Business Development in the U.S. and the Middle East. Prior to joining WHP Global, she worked at Cenomi Retail handling business development and new brand acquisitions for the Group. At WHP, Inssaf manages International Business Development across all verticals including fashion, hard goods and athletic. She began her career in accounting before entering the fashion industry as a brand manager at Saks Fifth Avenue. Inssaf holds a B.A in Business Administration from Toulouse Business School and an M.B.A from Ramon Llull University.

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