Spreading the Barbie Joy

One of the more unanticipated experiences I had this past year: participating in a Barbie think tank. Unanticipatedly moving, unexpectedly bonding, and unquestionably fulfilling.

The Barbie Global Advisory Council is not really a think tank. It’s a collection of 10 people, each dedicated to the health/wellness/happiness of children in unique ways. The group includes athletes, content creators, researchers and educators – an awesome collection to be part of and a group that really made me think.

For many years, I have worked with Mattel, the company behind Barbie since her creation 60 years ago, albeit indirectly. You see, Mattel is the parent company of American Girl. And American Girl publishes my Care and Keeping and Guy Stuff titles. But it is only as a member of the Council that I have been privy to Mattel’s deep thinking around youth empowerment through play. READ MORE