Teddy Share

Sharon Bush, Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Sharon began raising money for children's causes in 1989 through her foundation KARITAS, which gave a percentage of proceeds from the sale of licensed children's products to help homeless and abused children throughout the United States. Today that original concept has blossomed into its own company which shares its profits with children and families throughout the world. As a young woman, Sharon taught elementary school in an inner-city school system, where her experiences inspired her to devote much of her life to children's issues and strengthening the environment in which all children must grow, live, and learn. As a mother of three, Sharon insisted that her children learn the value of helping others, believing that children who are taught to help others at a young age will grow up to be much more sensitive, caring, concerned and compassionate adults. Sharon serves on the board of several charitable organizations and has received a number of honors for her contributions, but is most proud of the National Mother of the Year award she received 2001. Sharon resides in New York where she enjoys spending time with her daughters Ashley Bush and Lauren Bush Lauren, and her son Pierce Bush, when he visits from Houston.

Lauren Bush Lauren, Director of Marketing and Partnerships

Lauren Bush Lauren is the CEO, Creative Director and co-Founder of FEED Projects LLC. She also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the FEED Foundation. In 2004, Lauren became an Honorary Spokesperson for the UN World Food Program (WFP). As Honorary Spokesperson, Lauren has traveled to eight countries around the world visiting WFP operations, and helped start the Universities Fighting Hunger Campaign in the United States. For many years Lauren was a fashion model, appearing on the cover of publications such as W, Australian Vogue, Glamour, Town and Country, and Tatler. Her involvement in the fashion industry led to her interest in photography and fashion design, which she studied at Parsons in New York and Central Saint Martins College of Arts & Design in London. Lauren graduated from Princeton University in 2006 with an A.B. in Anthropology and a Certificate in Photography. She was born in the Rockies of Colorado, but grew up in Houston, Texas.

Alexandra Weininger, Director of Design, Development and Production

Alex joined the Teddy Share team in 2008 and has designed and overseen the production of Teddy Share Bears ever since. Alex has extensive experience in product development, specializing in vinyl toys and plush (not of the teddy bear persuasion) as well as apparel.

Alex graduated from Cornell University in 2003 with a BFA focused in printmaking and paper. After working for several years in the fashion industry, Alex returned to school to focus on children's products and toys, and received a BFA in Toy Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Recently, Alex has taken on the very challenging and rewarding role of motherhood. Although Brooklyn is home, Alex is currently living in Boulder, CO.

Debby Kelly, Director of Sales and Operations

Debby began working with Teddy Share in 2010, bringing her broad experience and expertise in brand development. Debby runs her own consulting firm, DKK Marketing Solutions, which offers customized strategies for expanding companies.

Debby has worked as a marketing specialist and business developer in several capacities for major fashion apparel, accessory, and cosmetics brands. She has created strategic plans to increase business for wholesale and retail sales, written and implemented company education curriculums, and planned global marketing campaigns. Debby was born and raised in New Jersey and currently resides in Rockland County, NY.

Darlyn Heckman, Director of Finance and Business Advisor

Darlyn is a corporate attorney and has worked on a variety of matters including mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, fund formation, sales of portfolio companies and general corporate matters relating to the portfolio companies of private equity clients.

Prior to attending law school, Darlyn was an analyst at a boutique investment bank in Boston specializing in the technology sector. Darlyn graduated from Princeton University in 2004 with an A.B. in Economics and a Certificate in Political Economy, and holds a J.D. from Boston University. She is a member of the Princeton University Stewardship Advisory Committee and her law firm's pro bono committee. Originally from the Midwest, Darlyn spent a number of years in Boston before moving to New York, where she enjoys running in Central Park and working with the Teddy Share team.