Marlene Sharp is a WiT Wonder Women Catalyst for Change Finalist
When most people think about social impact, they think about awareness.
Global Toy News’ contributing writer, Marlene Sharp, thinks about action.
Sharp has spent years creating opportunities for autistic individuals across toys, entertainment, media, and beyond, and now she’s also a Finalist for the upcoming Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) Wonder Women Awards in the Catalyst for Change category. A regular at curating meaningful opportunities at Comic Con, Toy Fair and every conference in between, Sharp reshapes how industries view neurodiversity, and certainly catalyzes new possibilities for people on the spectrum.
But perhaps her greatest contribution is not just raising awareness. It’s building pathways.
Through her leadership with Autism in Entertainment (AIE), Sharp has helped create an ecosystem that connects autistic individuals with resources, mentors, employers, creative opportunities, and one another. The organization’s conferences, programming, and industry partnerships have become a catalyst for meaningful change, helping participants navigate careers while building confidence, community, and visibility.
“Marlene doesn’t just talk about inclusion, she creates it,” says Genna Rosenberg, Founder and CEO of GennComm and creator of Lean Into Purpose. “She sees potential where others see limitations, and works tirelessly to build pathways that allow people to thrive. She is changing lives, changing perceptions, and helping our industries become stronger, more inclusive places for everyone.”
Focused on workforce development, talent cultivation, advocacy, and community building, Sharp does not just pick one lane; she masterfully fires on multiple cylinders.
She works with established talent on the spectrum, including Love on the Spectrum star Dani Bowman and Emmy Award-winning animator Jorge Gutierrez, while also helping create opportunities for emerging performers, as well. Through AIE and other autism empowerment initiatives, she has helped secure paid work for countless neurodivergent artists, including voice actors Tyler Berman and Mallory Reese.
She has also inserts conversations about autism into mainstream spaces, from Comic-Con panels and anime conferences, to media coverage in outlets ranging from Variety to TMZ.
Her influence extends beyond visibility. Sharp has become a trusted advocate when harmful stereotypes surface in popular culture. Earlier this year, she and her business partner joined others in challenging derogatory comments about autism made during a high-profile comedy roast, helping spark a broader conversation about representation, respect, and the power of language.
At the same time, she continues to create positive opportunities that showcase talent rather than limitations. A recent example is AIE’s Laughs on the Spectrum series, groundbreaking comedy showcases, one of which served as the opening event for Netflix Is A Joke Comedy Festival at the world-famous Hollywood Laugh Factory. Sharp plays an instrumental role in conceptualizing, producing, and amplifying the events, which highlight neurodivergent comedians on comedy’s biggest stages.
Perhaps the clearest measure of Sharp’s impact can be found in the lives she has touched.
When aspiring voice actor and performer Mallory Reese attended the inaugural AIE conference, it was the first autism-focused event she had ever attended. There, she discovered workforce development resources, professional opportunities, and a thriving community of peers. She met mentors, collaborators, close friends, and eventually her boyfriend, Tyler Berman, another performer on the spectrum. Today, the couple has built a life together, recently moved into their own apartment, and regularly emcee and perform together through The Spectrum Laboratory performances, Vista del Mar’s Neurodiversity of Kindness variety show, and more.
Most importantly, Mallory found a sense of belonging. Reese credits the event by saying, “I feel like I finally found my people.” And it was a door that Sharp opened for her.
Stories like Mallory’s illustrate why Sharp’s work matters. She isn’t simply creating programs or producing events. She is creating connections, confidence, careers, and community.
As the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries continue embracing inclusion and representation, Sharp reminds us that meaningful change goes beyond the products we create and the stories we tell. It requires investing in people and building systems that allow them to succeed.
That is exactly what Marlene Sharp has spent her career doing.
And that is why she is so deserving of recognition as a Wonder Women Finalist.
About the Wonder Women Awards
The Wonder Women Awards will be held at Paramount Pictures on September 17, 2026. For tickets and more information, go to https://www.womenintoys.com/wonder-woman-awards
Congratulations Marlene!! So inspired by your impact and generous heart!