Ann Buckingham is a highly accomplished consumer products executive with 25+ years of experience driving transformative growth for leading global brands. A Marquette University graduate, Ann possesses a unique blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and collaborative leadership, consistently delivering exceptional results in brand & category management, licensing & partnerships, manufacturing/supply chain and omni-channel retail. As a seasoned senior level global executive she excels at setting strategic direction, leading high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of inclusion and high-energy engagement.

Leadership

Ann’s leadership roles have included:

• Global SVP /Global VP/ Director, Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Company
• Global SVP Creative/Product Development, 20th Century Fox
• Global SVP Consumer Products & Publishing, DreamWorks Animation
• Chief Commercialization & Strategy Officer, CreateMe Technologies
• Brand Director, Heyman Corporation

Ann excels at translating creative vision into tangible business success, exceeding profit thresholds and navigating companies through challenging economic climates. She is a strategic leader with a proven track record of scaling businesses, driving revenue, and forging strategic partnerships.

Key Achievements

• • She has scaled multiple global brands for Disney/Fox and DreamWorks, exceeding $2 billion in retail sales and demonstrating a keen understanding of consumer markets.
• Her leadership was instrumental in transforming Heyman Corporation from a $5 million distributor to a $600 million apparel manufacturer, securing the #2 market share position in North America.
• At DreamWorks & Fox, she orchestrated a strategic restructuring that achieved a remarkable 68% increase in annual revenue with 40% fewer resources, showcasing her operational expertise and efficiency.
• Ann also spearheaded the global licensing program for DreamWorks’ Trolls franchise, generating $1 billion in retail sales and proving her ability to capitalize on popular culture trends.
• Furthermore, she launched the first successful product line based on a Netflix series, highlighting her foresight in recognizing the growing influence of streaming services on consumer behavior.
• Executed multiple M&A transactions CreateMe Technologies, Disney & Heyman, demonstrating due diligence, negotiation, integration, and process optimization, resulting in 100% team retention and customer retention.

Driven by a passion for driving transformative growth, Ann has recently been leveraging her expertise to help a diverse range of companies, including Weight Watchers, MAGNA-TILES, DARLEY, and HOSTED, achieve their strategic objectives. Whether it’s scaling operations, navigating turnarounds, or optimizing go-to-market strategies, she provides strategic guidance and hands-on leadership to ensure success. This experience has further sharpened her ability to quickly assess challenges, identify opportunities, and implement impactful solutions.

Civic Engagement

Ann is a dedicated contributor to the professional and community landscape. She served as an Advisory Board Member for 3MERA (XR Goods Company) and actively participates in organizations such as the Marquette Institute for Women’s Leadership Council, the Association of Croatian American Professionals, the Croatian Women’s Alliance, the Board of Governors for Marquette Media and Communication Alumni.

Ann maintains a global presence, with a home base in Knoxville, Tennessee, and frequent travel to key business hubs including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Europe.