The blooloop 50 Museum Influencer List 2025

As Mattel’s vice president of global location based entertainment, Julie Freeland spearheads the vision and execution of live events and attractions that animate Mattel’s iconic brands. Her strategic leadership is central to expanding Mattel’s presence beyond toys, crafting memorable and immersive experiences for fans across the globe.

Freeland manages critical partnerships and develops groundbreaking attractions, from expansive theme parks and entertainment destinations, like the forthcoming Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale, Arizona, to innovative immersive exhibits and dynamic live events. She collaborates closely with creative and operational teams, ensuring each experience authentically reflects Mattel’s brand values and resonates with diverse global audiences.

Her portfolio of successes includes the acclaimed Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live global tour, Barbie Bahamas Beach Vacation at Atlantis, Barbie: The Exhibition at the Design Museum London, and the enduring Day Out With Thomas tour. These initiatives, alongside new ventures such as the Hot Wheels Stunt Show and Barbie Dream Fest to name a few, underscore the remarkable growth trajectory of Mattel’s Location Based Entertainment.

Leveraging her extensive expertise in the entertainment and attractions sector, Freeland fosters collaborations with leaders across the industry. Freeland brings Mattel’s intellectual properties to life, significantly enriching fan engagement and cultivating deep brand loyalty worldwide.

Sian Hooperis a creative director at Merlin Entertainments, where she plays a key role within Merlin Magic Making - the global Creative and Delivery team behind some of the world’s most iconic entertainment destinations.

With a passion for storytelling and immersive design, Hooper leads the creative vision for major projects across Merlin’s diverse portfolio, with a special focus on family and pre-school attractions and themed environments

Over the years, she has spearheaded the development of landmark attractions by building and nurturing critical IP partnerships. Her creative leadership has brought to life globally recognized experiences, including Peppa Pig Theme Parks and LEGO® Discovery Centres across the world.

Most recently, Hooper is leading the creative direction for a multi-million-pound PAW Patrol-themed land set to open at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in 2026 - one of Merlin’s most ambitious family attractions to date.

Through her work, Hooper continues to elevate Merlin’s mission of creating unforgettable guest experiences, delivering innovative, family-focused entertainment enjoyed by millions.

Alexander Bresinsky studied engineering in technical theatre and entertainment technology. Before graduating with his master’s thesis, "Artificial Reality: Simulation in the Entertainment Industry,” he gained commercial experience at Disney's visual effects company, Dream Quest Images, in Los Angeles. While working on theme park simulator rides, such as "Batman" for Warner Bros. and "Asteroid Adventure" (IMAX 65mm 48fps), he first met the Simtec team in 1993, the firm that designed the motion system for the "Asteroid Adventure" attraction at Phantasialand.

Bresinsky began to focus on themed entertainment and explored connections within the field of interactive new media. He became the head of production at fx.Center, a facility for digital film effects at the prestigious Studio Babelsberg, and served as a lecturer in animated entertainment at the German Film School.

Through his own company, flying saucer, he worked as a creative producer and consultant for various agencies and theme parks, specializing in attraction design and engineering.

Bresinsky has been on the executive board of MKTengineering for many years, a company globally recognised for its large-scale kinetic projects.

He has served as a director of the European and International Boards of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) for over a decade. In November 2021, he was reelected as a director on the European and Middle East Division Board.

In 2024, Bresinsky was appointed director of business development at Simtec Systems, completing the full circle. The company has become one of the world's leading providers of complex, customised motion simulation and dark ride systems for major attractions and theme parks.

When I was a child, I was amazed by the Fairytale Forest. When my father showed me the illustrations in Anton Pieck’s fairy tale book, he told me that the romantic fairy tale houses were built based on those drawings. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to make such drawings myself, and then bring them to life. It is really a child's dream come true for me.

Sander de Bruijn began his career in the themed entertainment industry with a passion for design and storytelling. After studying at the Graphic Lyceum Utrecht from 1998 to 2001, he continued his education at the University of the Arts in Utrecht, graduating in 2005. During this time, he also gained hands-on experience working as a holiday employee at Efteling, one of Europe’s most iconic theme parks. In 2005, he officially joined Efteling as a senior designer, where he played a key role in shaping the park’s visual identity through landmark attractions such as Raveleijn, Baron 1898, and Symbolica, as well as contributing to beloved fairy tale scenes like The Six Swans and The Princess on the Pea. Since 2018, he has served as Efteling’s manager of design & experience, overseeing the creative direction of the park.

The department is artistically responsible for the entire design process, from concept development to final design. The focus is on developing visions for themed areas, where attractions, retail, hospitality and entertainment are all designed in one theme for total guest immersion within one area. de Bruijn's team consists of more than 40 people, including architects, landscape architects, graphic designers, creative concept specialists, spatial designers, decorators, costume designers and tailors. The designers work closely with colleagues in the Technical Design department.

Kanako Tomisawa has dedicated more than 20 years to wildlife conservation, conservation education, and inspiring the general public to care the wildlife and biodiversity. Through her career, she worked not only to conserve animals but also to spread the word to the world.

At the moment, she serves as a Spokesperson for Omuta City Zoo, the Social media editor for International Zoo Educators Association (IZE), a Member of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) as well as IUCN Species Survival Committee (SSC) Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG), a Secretary for South East Asian Zoos and Aquarium Association (SEAZA) Species Management Committee, a Member of the SEAZA Conservation Education Committee, a Board member of Japanese Zoo & Aquarium Educators (JZAE), and a Part-time Lecturer for the Kyushu University, Japan. She has been in the conservation, conservation education, PR, communications, population management, and data analysis fields.

She has liked animals since she was little, and her passion for conservation and education started when she was a university student. Since experiencing Sumatran tiger conservation activities in Indonesia, her passion for education has remained even stronger.

Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Environmental Management and an M.Sc. in Applied Animal Science.

David Rosenberg is the executive vice president of ventures, growth, and experience for SSA Ventures, a partner entity of SSA Group, a best-in-class provider of integrated guest services for cultural attractions such as zoos, aquariums, and museums. In this role, he is responsible for driving the company’s strategic growth initiatives, fostering innovation, and enhancing guest experiences across SSA’s portfolio of venues.

With a background in hospitality and entertainment, Rosenberg is experienced in creating immersive and engaging experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. He focuses on identifying new opportunities for expansion, developing partnerships, and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the visitor experience. His work involves not only expanding SSA’s business reach but also ensuring that the company’s offerings remain cutting-edge and aligned with evolving consumer expectations.

Rosenberg is known for his forward-thinking approach, combining business acumen with a deep understanding of creating meaningful and memorable visitor experiences. Before joining SSA Group, he was with Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, where he began as director of guest experience in 2007 and moved to the role of general manager in 2013. He served as the aquarium’s vice president from 2016 until joining SSA Group in June 2024.

His experience also includes serving in leadership positions at Walt Disney World and Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

David Rosenberg was the global chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the chair of the Aquarium Affairs committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and an AZA accreditation inspector. He has also served on numerous international and local boards of directors.

He is a passionate advocate for sustainability and responsible business practices within the sector, often emphasising the importance of creating experiences that are not only enjoyable but also environmentally conscious and educational. Rosenberg’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in his work at SSA Group, where he encourages integrating eco-friendly practices into the company’s operations.

Kim McIntyre has been the executive director of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership since 2017. She has been working at the intersection of ocean conservation, climate change, policy, and sustainability for more than 20 years, building cross-sector coalitions with governments, non-profits, academia, and industry.

She holds a master's degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US San Diego; an environmental law degree from the University of Hawaii; and a B.S. in marine biology from the University of Miami. She lives in La Jolla, CA, with her husband and two daughters.

Karen Fifield has been the chief executive of Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo since 2006 and is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for services to Business and Animal Welfare. She is the current president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Fifield previously chaired the WAZA Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee and WAZA's Environmental Sustainability Sub Committee, where she was the editor of the Protecting Our Planet global strategy, the Carbon Reduction Guide and the Sustainable Forest Use Guide. She has also been the President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia.

Fifield was recognised as one of the Power 10 Zoo & Aquarium blooloop 50 Influencers in 2023.

Wellington Zoo was the first Toitū carbon zero-certified zoo in the world and won the WAZA inaugural Environmental Sustainability Award in 2018.

She won the 2009 HER Business Wellington award for outstanding business leadership and sustainability and the 2010 HER Business NZ National award for outstanding business leadership. Fifield was the 2010 Wellingtonian of the Year in the Environment category and was a finalist in both the 2014 and 2015 Westpac/Fairfax Media NZ Women of Influence Awards in the Social Enterprise category and the Board and Management category, respectively.

Jane Alexander is the Cleveland Museum of Art's chief digital information officer (CDIO). She joined the institution in 2010 and has been instrumental in leading various digital projects. As CDIO, her responsibilities include overseeing the museum's technology infrastructure, digital content strategy, and online presence. She aims to use technology to create immersive and accessible experiences for visitors while ensuring the museum's operations are streamlined and efficient.

One of Alexander's notable projects is the development of Gallery One, a groundbreaking interactive space launched in 2013 that integrates digital technology with the museum's collection. It features the ArtLens app, an interactive tool that allows visitors to explore the collection through augmented reality and touch-screen technology.

Under Alexander's leadership, the museum launched its Open Access initiative in 2019, making more than 30,000 images of artworks in the public domain freely available for download and use. This move aligns with the museum's mission to make art more accessible to a global audience and support education, research, and creative projects.

Speaking to blooloop in 2017 about her role, she said: “In an art museum, the art must be at the forefront, rather than thetechnology. However, the infrastructure must be in place to use technology interpretation that allows the art to shine. One of her first tasks at Cleveland was to look at all the databases and hardware needs across the museum and standardise this technology, from the conference rooms to the galleries.

One nominator said: "Jane Alexander is a visionary leader whose work has redefined how museums can use digital technology to engage and inspire visitors from all walks of life. Her innovative projects have set new benchmarks for accessibility, personalisation, and the use of emerging technologies in the museum sector. Jane’s influence continues to shape the future of how art is experienced and appreciated by diverse audiences worldwide."

Marc Zachary is the President of Experiential Advisors, a consultancy/advisory firm helping theme parks, IP holders, major brands, licensees, and other companies create and maximize experiences. He is known as an expert on themed entertainment and travels extensively to benchmark parks, attractions, shows, and museums around the world.

Marc spent his early career in the international film and television business, acquiring films, series, and formats for distribution in Italy and promoting Italian films in the United States (including three Academy Award-winning films). He then worked as a senior executive in home entertainment and for startups before joining Disney as Vice President of Business Development and Operations in 2011. At Disney, he developed new partnerships around Star Wars, The Muppets, advertising, healthcare, and new technologies, driving tens of millions of dollars of incremental revenue.

In 2017, he became Senior Vice President of FoxNext Destinations at 20th Century Fox, overseeing themed entertainment, including rides, shows, exhibitions, restaurants, shops, family entertainment centres, and AR/VR. With Disney's acquisition of Fox in 2019, Marc returned to Disney as Head of Location-Based Experiences, which included a broad variety of attractions, including The Simpsons lands at Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood, Avatar-themed experiences in Asia, and National Geographic-themed family entertainment centres in the Middle East, Mexico, and China.

Marc has an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a BA in Psychology and Film from the University of Pennsylvania.