A global perspective helps define better local results

Deborah M. Thomas, Hasbro Inc.’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, frequently uses “we,” rather than “I.” She called teamwork essential to address one of Hasbro’s most significant challenges – changing its cultural mind-set to be fearless in thinking about the future and its customers.

“Our senior team worked so hard to achieve this mind-set shift, led by our truly inspirational and forward-thinking CEO, Brian Goldner,” said Thomas. “We … accomplished this by working as a team – all respecting each other’s opinions.”

Jeff Barkan, senior vice president, business planning and analysis/corporate controller, identified Thomas as an integral contributor to two “seismic changes” initiated by Hasbro. Those changes – evolving from a pure toy and game manufacturer to a global brand builder, and experiencing significant growth outside the United States – have transformed the Pawtucket-based company.

As a global brand builder, Hasbro expanded consumers’ ability to experience its products and brands in different formats. “Thomas was key in evaluating strategic alliances, acquisitions and investments, such as Hasbro Studios … that develop, produce and distribute TV shows based on Hasbro’s world-class products,” said Barkan, in his nomination of Thomas for the Providence Business News CFO Awards.

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She has been instrumental in helping Hasbro recruit the capabilities and competencies – such as digital game, television, and feature film development and storytelling expertise – that the company needed to go global, he said. Since 2007, films based on Hasbro’s brands, including four Transformers movies and two G.I. Joe movies, have earned more than $4 billion in worldwide box office revenue, said Thomas.

Barkan credits Thomas with initiating processes and systems to support Hasbro’s significant growth in overseas revenue: In 2009, 36 percent of Hasbro’s revenue was international, in 2014, it had reached 47 percent. Overall, revenue grew as well: In 2009, when Thomas’ tenure as CFO began, net revenue was $4.1 billion. In 2014 the total was $4.3 billion. Thomas has been a vocal advocate for investing in business controls needed to ensure compliance with international rules, regulations and ethical finance practices, while streamlining workflow and improving efficiencies, said Barkan.

Thomas leads Hasbro’s financial operations, including accounting and control, business planning and analysis, internal audit, treasury, tax and investor relations. In that capacity, she regularly collaborates with Goldner and John Frascotti, president of Hasbro Brands, to execute business decisions that will deliver long-term, sustainable growth for Hasbro and its shareholders.

Asked what makes her proud about her work at Hasbro, Thomas identified the company’s global growth: “In our 90 years in business, we have made significant strides, most of which took place in the past few years, to truly become a global company. As we have expanded significantly outside of the United States, we built Hasbro’s emerging-market finance teams, determined which markets Hasbro should enter globally … and created and established strong control environments.”

As a leader who empowers and motivates teams across Hasbro, Thomas shares her hard-earned wisdom with her staff and those she mentors. She now balances her personal and professional roles, but for many years, she was often the first employee to arrive and the last to leave the office, she said. She now cautions younger employees whom she mentors, “balance really is the key.”

Advice she once received from a mentor has shaped her management style, she said. “I set the long-term financial direction and vision for my teams [but] I empower my people to define their own careers – to never stop looking for opportunities to continue to grow and advance.” •

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