TEA Announces Incoming 2026 Board Members

Press Release
TEA In the News

BURBANK, Calif., USA (20 November 2025)— The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announced the election of new members to its International Board and Divisional Boards during its Gratitude Gathering Volunteer Appreciation event on 20 November in Orlando, Florida. TEA welcomed the new leaders to their roles and thanked the outgoing board members who had finished their terms.

 

“The board selection process is important to our global membership,” said Melissa Oviedo, CEO of TEA. “TEA’s board members are critical to helping the association support the themed entertainment industry and create meaningful partnerships and opportunities around the world. We are excited about the diversity of background, experience, and perspective these new members will bring to TEA.”

 

The incoming TEA board members will each serve a three-year term, starting in 2026.

 

TEA International Board of Directors:

Yael Coifman, Leisure Development Partners, LLP

Matthew Cross, OE Experiences

Dawn Foote, Katapult

Denise Hather, AOA

Arielle Lindsey, TAIT

Marie Marks, Paramount Global Experiences

 

TEA Asia Pacific Division Board of Directors:

Sean Jang, TBCL

Eric Lee, Unbound Group Limited

Jason Lovelace, Walt Disney Imagineering

Mason Schmitz, P+A Projects

Agnieszka Veriga, Warner Bros. Discovery

Ryuta Yamada, Nomura Co., Ltd.

Tiffany Yiu, Entertainment + Culture Advisors, LLA

Frank Yu Chen Wu, CQ Amusement International Ltd.

 

TEA Eastern North America Division Board of Directors:

Denise Hatcher, AOA, Eastern North America Division President

Michael Acevedo, Nassal

John Higgins, Walt Disney Imagineering

Lisa Lowe, Ravenswood Studio, Inc.

Jeff Moulton, Adirondack Studios

Liz Sanchez-Rasking, Freelance Consultant

Marlene Tosca-Hunt, Freelance Consultant/Contractor

Brian Yessian, Yessian Music

 

TEA Europe and Middle East Division

Dawn Foote, Katapult, Europe and Middle East Division President

David Debouverie, P+A Projects

Hind Galadari, Miral Experiences

Paul Hatton, Consultant

Edward (Edd) Musgrove, Mycotoo Europe

James Oakley, Charcoalblue Experience

Mike Rafn Ganderton, LEGO House

Karin Stiksman, Joint Projects

David Stuyck, Production Pirates

George Ward-Thompson, Student – Birmingham City University

 

TEA Western North America Division

Brett King, Universal Destinations & Experiences

David Millman, Charcoalblue Experience

Derek Pendergrass, Meow Wolf

Tammy Sutton, Theory Studios

Steven Young, Visual Terrain, Inc.

 

The annual TEA Board application and election process will reopen in late summer 2026. Interested TEA members and applicants are encouraged to volunteer at TEA division events and attend signature programs throughout the year to better understand TEA’s goals and purpose and connect with fellow members. To learn more about TEA’s International Board, visit here. To learn more about TEA’s Divisional Boards, visit here.

 

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About TEA

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) brings together the creators and makers of experiences worldwide – from the creative storytellers to the technical builders, from operators to investors, from idea to operation - and provides them with tools, education, advocacy, community, and connection to help grow their businesses and careers. The international non-profit association’s members focus on creating for and serving the leisure and travel sectors. Their work can be seen in entertaining and educational projects found in theme parks, water parks, museums, zoos, corporate visitor centers, casinos, restaurants, branded experiences, multimedia spectaculars, retail spaces, resorts and hospitality, destination attractions and more.

 

TEA encompasses a dynamic community of more than 1,600 member companies in over 40 countries.

teaconnect.org

 

 

Media Contact

Susan L. Storey, APR, ICAE

PR@TEAConnect.org

608.432.8197