LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNA GODIN

August 15, 2025

In our Leadership Spotlight Series, we are highlighting executives across our Company who are driving innovation, transforming business practices, and positively impacting the communities where we live and work.

Anna Godin, Vice President, Design, SELG, brings a passion-driven, collaborative approach to leadership—one rooted in 20+ years of lived experience and cross-functional partnership.

Leading with Passion & Purpose
Anna Godin didn’t set out to become a leader—she became one through decades of hands-on experience, persistence, and a deep belief in the power of collaboration. Today, as Vice President of Design for the Character License Sleepwear division, she brings a practical, people-first approach to leadership that’s helped her team grow stronger, faster, and more connected than ever.

Anna’s style is rooted in passion—not just for the product, but for the people behind it. She leads by example, showing up with energy and focus that motivates her team and keeps them aligned on shared goals. Her belief is simple: when people feel empowered and supported, they do their best work. That’s why she’s created a culture built on trust, transparency, and continuous improvement—one where feedback flows both ways and team members are encouraged to take ownership.

Exceeding Expectations Through Global Innovation
That mindset has led to real results. Under Anna’s leadership, the team has consistently exceeded expectations, delivering high-volume creative work under tight deadlines without compromising quality. One of her team’s proudest accomplishments? Expanding international operations. By onboarding new design assistants in Vietnam and Shenzhen, the team establishes a nearly round-the-clock workflow—dramatically improving turnaround times and cross-regional collaboration.

The seamless integration of these international team members and their immediate impact on efficiency and collaboration exceeded all expectations, demonstrating the team’s adaptability and global mindset.

Building Bridges Across the Organization
Her impact also reaches far beyond design. Anna knows great product doesn’t happen in silos. She’s built strong relationships across SELG, from product development and production to sales and licensing, ensuring every project moves forward with clarity and alignment.

As she puts it, “It really does take a village,” and that village thrives when people listen, support each other, and stay focused on the bigger picture.

A Journey of Meaningful Achievement
When asked about her proudest career achievement, Anna’s response reveals both humility and determination. She takes pride not just in reaching her current position, but in the journey itself—the persistence and hard work that transformed a recent college graduate into a leader overseeing high-volume production.

What makes this achievement particularly meaningful is how each step of her path has informed her leadership approach. Having experienced the challenges of most roles she now oversees, Anna leads with empathy, clarity, and genuine appreciation for each team member’s contributions. This perspective shapes how she supports her team and helps create an environment where people can thrive.

Streamlining Success Through Strategic Innovation
Under Anna’s leadership, her team has achieved significant improvements in efficiency and collaboration. As they expanded their Asian operations and broadened their scope to include both Women’s and Men’s Character License Sleepwear, Anna spearheaded the strategic decision to unify all projects into a centralized Teams platform. This streamlined approach enhanced coordination and alignment while strengthening their collaborative processes across geographic boundaries.

The Person Behind the Professional
Those who know Anna describe her as driven, dependable, and meticulous—someone who brings the same intensity to her work as she does to her personal life. And while she’s deeply committed to her team, she also makes time to be present with family and friends, knowing that balance is what allows her to lead with clarity and purpose.