In this episode, we talk to Drew Vernon. Drew is the marketing director for tonies, where he leads Tonies for Teachers, partnering with schools, museums, and libraries to promote screen-free education for children. His work contributed to tonies being named as one of Fast Company’s 2021 Most Innovative Companies in the Education category. Prior to tonies, Drew led the U.S. preschool business for LEGO. Here he created Prescription for Play, building a network of 2,500 pediatricians to promote daily play between parents and children. This program has become one of LEGO’s key global social responsibility initiatives. Drew is also an entrepreneur and started Connecticut’s first state-licensed, pay-by-the-hour daycare center. Before transitioning into early childhood education, Drew spent five years in beauty consumer packaged goods, where he worked for P&G and Jergens. Drew has an MBA in Brand and Product Management from the University of Wisconsin, where he was recently recognised as one of “8 to Watch Under 40”.
