One of our core values at TCGplayer is community for all. A strong foundation of acceptance is at the center of our culture. At TCGplayer, we never diminish people or ideas that are different from our own. We are constantly blown away by the accomplishments of TCGplayer employees and are thrilled to shout their wins from the rooftop of HQ!
In case the shouting isn’t loud enough, we’ve decided to write this article to amply the stories of some of the women who work for TCGplayer in celebration of Women’s History Month. While our love of geek culture gives us common ground, our individual stories make each of us a unique asset to the team, making TCGplayer a truly great place to work.
About Me
I enjoy reading, crocheting, and watching shows and movies. My favorite things are tattoos, cats, and soft blankets.
At a high level, I work with policies for Direct sellers: researching and analyzing data and performance, and writing and enforcing policy to improve and maintain the health of the program.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
The people! Everyone is here because they want to be, and have a passion for what we do/the products we handle. That passion is truly what sets our workforce apart from any other company I've worked for before.
Women’s History Month Reflections
History is a male-dominated topic, with most of the focus straying away from or even avoiding female contributions. There are so many inspiring female stories out there that never get recognized because of how our society has been set up. Having recognition and representation is important to inspire others. Growing up, I didn't see much female representation in a role other than mother and home keeper, which was a role I didn't want for myself. I would have loved to see more female representation in other roles, and I want that for other young females so they know that they can be whatever they dream of. There have been two women I have worked with during my time at TCGplayer that have constantly inspired and encouraged me to do my best, think outside the box, and reach for goals higher than I could have ever thought I could reach. They never made me feel anything less than capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. They have taught me to advocate for yourself and for those who can't advocate for themselves. It’s so important to listen to yourself and to what your body is telling you.
“Don't ever stop trying for something you want, even if it doesn't go your way the first time.”
About Me
I've been at TCGplayer for 5 years now. In my free time, I enjoy making all sorts of art with different mediums.
I'm an Inventory Specialist whose specialties are in Pokémon product knowledge and researching counterfeits.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I'm surrounded by kind, smart, intelligent, curious folks every day when I walk through these doors. Ever since I started, folks have had a massive hunger for knowledge and curiosity, and I feel cared for and supported by others each and every day. I never leave without learning something new!
Women’s History Month Reflections
Historically, a lot of women's achievements are erased, stolen, or divorced from their original creator. It's important to take the time to step back and recognize the amazing things women have done for our world, our communities, our families, and our future so they don't continue to get erased and buried. History tells future generations of women that they belong at the table and that their ideas, hopes, dreams, and achievements can change the world for the better.
About Me
I have been working at TCGplayer for almost 8 years. I have an amazing husband, a 6 month old daughter named Juniper, a cat named Tuna and a dog named Solas. When I am not working, I am looking for the next cool find at the thrift store or visiting the Antique Exchange here in Syracuse. I also enjoy anime/manga, ice skating and horror movies when I am not too busy being a mom.
I am responsible for creating and maintaining product listings on TCGplayer.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I have had incredible opportunities and made so many wonderful connections from across the company. Working at TCG has inspired me to continue learning and growing as a professional. It has inspired me to keep reaching for that next opportunity and that there's truly nothing I can't achieve.
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women's History Month is important because women have always contributed significantly, though their efforts have not always been recognized or acknowledged. Often women have to work harder to get the credit they deserve. Women's History Month celebrates all women from the present and past. Women are capable of so many amazing things even when against the odds.
I often reflect on this quote by a creator, “How many Einstein’s have spent their lives washing dishes, how many Mozart’s bent over stoves instead of pianos, because they had the misfortune of being born a woman?” We have an unimaginable amount of power and opportunity awaiting us now and in the future.
About Me
I've been with TCGplayer for 9 years at the end of the month! I love to craft, ice skate, and be outside.
I started in the Receiving Department, worked on our Buylist Team, Inventory, and now Catalog!
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I have always loved our core values. They are the lifeblood of this company. My favorite is Community for All. I love that we make strides to accept each other for who we are here. Our hobbies and goals don't always have to align but they are still important and everyone brings something to the table to make us stronger.
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women's History Month is important because we need to see ourselves represented. When I started out at TCGplayer, I was one of 3 women in the warehouse and the only woman in my department. I craved seeing women like me in our industry in the same way that I crave seeing women participating in anything, because through them I see myself.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten was from Monica here at TCGplayer: "Move with intention.”
About Me
I was born in 1989 (Taylor's Version) in Syracuse, NY! I started at TCGplayer in 2019 as a Tier 1 CX Agent after years of working in the service industry. As soon as I set foot in the HQ Castle, I knew I had found what I had always been looking for, in both my career and my community. I want to start by saying: I don't have a degree. I think it's important to highlight the success of those who found it off the beaten path, to award it and recognize it the same way we do a degree.
I lead business and engagement for Seller Experience, making sure our sellers’ voices shape the way we grow, improve, and innovate!
Inspiration at TCGplayer
TCGplayer also believes in that importance. I know that because I've experienced it. They didn't see an uneducated, poor woman when I entered the building. They saw a director, a manager, and a coach in me. They saw the difference a woman can make. I have never been more proud to be a part of something than I am to be a part of TCGplayer. Not only for the care and value we provide to the gaming industry, but for having an executive suite full of bright, strong women. For celebrating diversity and acceptance, even when it wasn't the popular thing to do. I would like to close this out with the wise words of Taylor Swift. Many TCGplayers have heard me speak her gospel plenty. “You are not going nowhere, just because you aren't where you want to be yet." I know we all see a version of ourselves that we want to be that we aren't quite yet but do not let that discredit the steps you take every day to get there. Also, if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room. Every day I strive to be the least knowledgeable person in any given room. Lastly, no one will advocate for you louder or stronger than yourself. Demand to be in those rooms; no one will demand that for you. You'd be surprised how many opportunities open up once you start seeing yourself on the same level as you see others.
About Me
I've been with TCGplayer for 3 years. I'm a reader, writer, and crocheter.
I work in the shipping department, packaging up orders, and sending them off to our customers.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I'm constantly inspired by the community here at TCGplayer. Everyday I get to come in and be surrounded by unique individuals that come together to make an unstoppable team capable of great things. There's always great things to be found among our community here.
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women's History Month reminds us of how far we've come and what we are capable of achieving, as individuals and when we come together to support one another.
"Don't follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.” - Margaret Thatcher
About Me
I serve as Head of Corporate Affairs and a co-executive sponsor of the Women@TCGplayer group.
As Head of Corporate Affairs at TCGplayer, I am responsible for protecting and elevating TCGplayer’s reputation and brand awareness, and creating a well-informed workforce aligned with the organization’s goals and values.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
The culture, the people and our vision: growing the hobby community and empowering small businesses.
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the generations of women who fought for the rights and opportunities we enjoy today. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and recommit ourselves to tackling the many challenges we still face. Yes, we’ve made progress but there’s more work to do.
“Walk in the room like they need you in it — because they do.”
About Me
I am currently the CFO for TCGplayer and I love my job, the people I work with and the work we do. I have been in business and finance for almost 30 years and have been shaped by my experiences as a woman growing and developing in the business world. I have been married for 22 years and have two wonderful daughters who are about to launch into this big world as adults. I hope that I have role modeled what it means to be a strong, fearless, empathetic and driven woman for them.
I help the business and our leaders make better and faster decisions through data based analysis and insights. My team and I partner with the business to build a financial architecture (P&L) for the company which maximizes investment capability while still meeting our growth targets. We then facilitate those investments and monitor performance against that architecture.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
The people for sure. I love the people I work with. They're inclusive, intelligent, creative, and funny!
Women’s History Month Reflections
So many strong, brave, and creative women have helped shape our culture and society, and we should celebrate them!
"Lean in! Always and no matter what nonverbals you may think you're getting.”
About Me
In my leisure time, I'm reading history books with a cat on my lap, or putting together my next costume.
I help Buyers and Sellers resolve issues, offer product support, and ensure a great experience for all involved!
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I love that TCG lives their values, it isn't just something that sounds good on paper. I see it every day in action!
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women's History Month is important as it helps shine a light on women's experiences and achievements, which may have historically been overlooked. This is inspiring for the next generation!
"We are all afraid. Do it anyway. Do the thing you can live with." - Mom.
About Me
Hello, my name is Victoria Sanford. I come from a humble background, with a large family. I went straight to work after graduating from high school. While I did not have a plan for what I wanted to do with my life, I knew that I wanted to make a difference and touch the lives of those around me.
I am involved in coordinating daily operations workflow. I also work with individuals on a 1 to 1 basis to help develop them and help them reach their goals.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I chose to work for TCGplayer based on their core values as a company. It is important to me that I work for a company that inspires and grows its employees. I have fallen in love with the culture here and aspire to make the same impact on others that has been made on me.
Women’s History Month Reflections
It's a time we get to celebrate some of the most amazing people and their accomplishments. Women have a history of being unnoticed and underappreciated. Taking the time to recognize these amazing individuals during this month is a way to honor those who never had the chance to be appreciated for their talents. To every woman that spoke their truth, stood up for what they believed in, and inspired change, thank you. While working, I've had situations where my opinion was shut down. I’ve had people shut me down or belittle me no matter how much I spoke up or stood my ground. I’ve gone unheard and undervalued. Until one day I said enough was enough. I’ve helped people learn to use their own inner voice and stand up for themselves.
“Be grateful for what you have AND demand what you deserve.” - Abby Wambach
About Me
I love playing Magic and video games, and have been an avid cosplayer for many years.
I facilitate the outbound shipping of customer orders through Direct.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
Working at TCGplayer was something I never thought I would be able to do. When I applied, it was a dream to be in a nerdy and quirky job that offered learning about all kinds of card games and so much more. Our core values bring out the best in all of us, from our passions to the community that unites us every day. I have enjoyed all that we do even on the hard and difficult days.
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women's History is important because women have given so much to the world from computing and science to art and literature. Women have fought and won rights to vote and so much more, we continue to change the world in new ways every day.
“Curiosity is learning, even in the face of adversity, never stop being curious.”
About Me
My name means 'Fire Flame,' a symbol of uniqueness and brilliance that I strive to embody, especially as often the sole female engineer in the room. I am dedicated to breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity in tech. My childhood experiences with limited academic resources drive my volunteer work for socio-economic and animal welfare causes. I believe in interdisciplinary work and enjoy collaborating with diverse teams to approach problems from multiple angles. When I'm not working, I indulge in traveling, photography, gardening, shopping, and movies. I'm an avid gardener and rare plant collector. My husband, our Great Pyrenees: Moose, and I love exploring the world together.
As the Computer Vision manager, I manage the vision team and spearhead vision projects from planning to execution. My team and I also work very closely with other cross functional teams at TCGpPlayer to broaden the reach of Roca Vision algorithms to other relevant projects.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
The people! I have met some brilliant yet kind minds here and they inspire me to bring my best self to work everyday.
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women's History Month is important for countless reasons. It is a vital observance that highlights the contributions, achievements, and struggles of women throughout history. This month is an excellent opportunity to recognize and celebrate often overlooked achievements of women in the past and present. Women's History Month can serve as a platform to inspire current and future generations by highlighting success stories of women. “Every woman needs to be their own biggest fan and supporter.” This observance is a reminder of the progress we have made towards gender equality and the work that still remains. This month fosters a sense of community and solidarity among women and allies. It provides a platform for sharing experiences, building networks, and supporting one another in the pursuit of equality and justice.
About Me
I started my career over 30 years ago with limited understanding of the business world and a huge desire to learn! I have worked in many different companies and had several different career paths along the way. I am passionate about customers, leadership, developing people and solving problems. I am grateful for all the experiences I have had in my career, especially the tough ones! My career has always been very important to me and I was lucky enough to find a partner who supported me. My husband and I moved to Texas in 2000 and raised our 2 kids there. There are many things I am proud of in my career, but I am most proud of my 2 wonderful children and watching them become amazing adults!
In my role, I focus on Seller Strategy, Engagement and Growth, as well as running our Customer Experience and Fraud Operations.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I am inspired by the people I work with at TCGplayer. So many individuals are here because they have a passion for the games and our local hobby shops! This passion shows through our team working together to achieve our broader vision and mission. I am also inspired by how many of my colleagues have embraced the company’s growth and success and have really focused on developing themselves. There are so many people who I have watched grow successfully in their careers. I am so proud of them!
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women’s History Month is important as it creates awareness around the challenges that women have overcome and the incredible impact they have made in this world. Individually, I find it inspiring to learn about different women and see how I can apply their learnings and bravery in my own circumstances. From a collective perspective, Women’s History Month creates an opportunity for awareness and appreciation, which hopefully inspires others to think and act differently in support of addressing women’s challenges.
I have received several great pieces of advice from women who have mentored me. Here are some of the most profound soundbites:
- Do not be afraid to speak out about something important to you; nice women never made history!
- Don’t be afraid to try something new; learning and growing is the foundation for thriving.
- You can have it all; you may not be able to have it all at once. Your life is a marathon, so be thoughtful about how you sequence both your career and personal goals.
- More women lack confidence than capability; support each other and build confidence to drive impact.
- Recognize there are many men who are also great mentors and supporters; actively involve them to help drive impact and change.
- Pay it forward - we can lift each other up!
About Me
I've been with TCGplayer for the last 3 years leading the Seller Marketing team under the Seller Experience org. For the last 10 + years I have supported small businesses across many different industries, helping them grow through creative marketing & community engagement. I'm super passionate about what I do and how to not only help businesses grow, but individuals. I've served many undergrad mentorship programs to provide aspiring marketers with the support I wish I had back then. I believe the best success is achieved when people work together and support each other. I live by the quote by Amy Morin "Be the woman who fixes another woman's crown without telling the world it was crooked." In my free time I love to travel, experience new things, read, create art, and rock climb!
I lead the Seller Marketing team’s efforts to nurture, and grow the seller community by delivering relevant and engaging educational experiences.
Inspiration at TCGplayer
I am inspired by the people and culture at TCGplayer. So many unique individuals, with amazing talent and passion!
Women’s History Month Reflections
Women's history month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women through history from all different backgrounds. It is important to celebrate wins, recognize how far we have come, learn from the past, and keep striving for the better.
My favorite quote from Bozoma Saint John "Part of innovation is 'fake it until you make it.' Keep trying things, but it's not just the random trying."
Also, from an old mentor "Take risks and be confident about your decisions, don't let anyone convince you otherwise. You will never know until you try."