Jeremy Padawer – MBA

Biography

Jeremy Padawer is a Toy Industry Executive, Entrepreneur, Founder, Animated Television Producer, and a widely celebrated name in the business of play. Padawer currently serves as Chief Brand Officer of Jazwares, the 4th largest toy company by volume, and now a Berkshire Hathaway company. Padawer will serve on the Toy Industry Association Board of Directors starting 2023. 

In October 2019, Padawer sold his toy company Wicked Cool Toys to Alleghany Capital (NYSE - Y) & Jazwares. In October 2022, Alleghany Capital & Jazwares was sold to Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE – BRK). Today, Jazwares is one of the world’s largest toy and collectible companies - the global master toymaker for Pokémon, Fortnite, Roblox, Hello Kitty, AEW, HALO, Cocomelon, Cabbage Patch Kids, the master costume maker for Marvel and Star Wars, and the owners of the remarkable Squishmallows franchise.

Prior to Wicked Cool Toys (2013-2019), Padawer was the EVP of Jakks Pacific (2003-2013), COO of Jakks Pacific / Dentsu JV Pacific Animation Partners (2011-2013), Brand Manager Mattel (2001-2003), and founder JMP (1996-2000), an early internet startup focused on hit aggregation.

In 2023, Padawer established the Jeremy Padawer Scholarship for Entrepreneurial Students awarded to deserving Vanderbilt University business school students pursuing creative and innovative business endeavors.

Education

MBA, Vanderbilt University, 2001

JD, University of Tennessee, 1999

BA, University of Texas, 1996