Our Team
Pamela Mastrota
Executive Director
Pamela Mastrota is the Executive Director of The Toy Foundation (TTF) where she dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the uniting force for the collective philanthropy for the toy industry for the benefit of children in need. Mastrota is responsible for implementing TTF’s Strategic Action Plan to serve as a thought leader and effective partner in delivering comfort, joy, and the extraordinary benefits of play to every child.
To ensure TTF best supports the industry, Mastrota oversees and evaluates all aspects of its operations, relationships, development and fundraising, communications, and program areas in a manner that supports, strengthens, and advances the Foundation’s vision, mission, core values, and Strategic Action Plan.
Mastrota joined TTF in June 2021 bringing extensive C-level and nonprofit leadership, fundraising and relationship-building experience. She has advanced profit and non-profit organizations through transformation and growth to increase impact thanks to big picture creativity, innovative solutions, and collaboration with staff, board leadership and communities.
Prior to joining The Toy Foundation, Mastrota served as the Chief Operating Officer for Make-A-Wish Metro NY & Western NY where she successfully increased volunteers in underserved areas by 180% to best serve Make-A-Wish kids through the recruitment of experienced and culturally diverse department heads and the development of organizational plans that improved productivity and efficiency. Previously, Mastrota served as President and Chief Executive Officer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Long Island Chapter.
Mastrota is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Communications and West Chester University with a Master of Health Administration.
John Fistolera
Director, Development
John has nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience focused on development operations, donor stewardship and external affairs.
John served as the president of the HOSA-Future Health Professionals (HOSA) Foundation, where he laid the groundwork for the organization's first focused development operation and capital campaign. His work for HOSA produced a pipeline of new donor relationships worth over $1 million and a potential $5 million in-kind donations for the capital campaign.
Prior to HOSA, John led all development and external affairs programs for the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA.) As vice president of development and external affairs, John held a leadership role in developing organizational strategy, stewardship and operations. Under his tenure, DECA increased overall support by 90%, diversified its portfolio of support, created a new engagement model with its donor board and increased DECA's reputation as a national education partner.
John launched his professional career on the re-election campaign of the Governor of California. He then joined the professional staff in the California State Assembly and Senate Minority Leader's office. He also led state government and public affairs for an industry association. John graduated from St. Mary's College of California with a Bachelor of Arts in Integral Liberal Arts. Outside of work, John enjoys cooking, sports and community involvement.
Erin Wright
Manager, Marketing Communication
Erin Wright is the new Manager of Marketing Communications for The Toy Foundation.
Erin brings to the Foundation a decade of communications and storytelling experience, developing and implementing strategic communications plans to increase awareness among the primary stakeholders. Prior to The Toy Foundation, Erin worked at 360PR+ where she led consumer and thought leader initiatives for food and beverage brands with a focus on message development, media relations, influencer marketing and brand partnerships.
Previously, Erin worked at APCO Worldwide, Ketchum and Hunter Public Relations, communicating a variety of brands' unique stories.
Driven by purpose, Erin is enthusiastic in sharing The Toy Foundation's mission and helping bring the power of play to families across the country.
Paul Vitale
Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations
The Toy Association
Paul Vitale is Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations at The Toy Association. Mr. Vitale is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant with 40 years of experience. He has held senior financial positions in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and spent more than 10 years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen. Before joining The Toy Association in 2007, Vitale was Senior Director of Finance for the Greater New York Chapter of the American Red Cross for nearly six years.
Vitale graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in accounting from St. John's University in New York. He is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Vitale has been a volunteer director since 1995 of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Association, a not-for-profit provider of mental health services to children and their families based on Long Island, NY, having served as Treasurer and currently as Board President. He also served for more than 10 years on the Audit and Compliance Committee of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, a not-for-profit integrated healthcare delivery system.
Vitale has been married to his wife, Marie, for 39 years. Together, they have three children and two grandchildren.