Culture

Our culture

Learn about our culture from the people with a genuine passion for building the minds of the next generation.

Meet the team

We’re so much more than a construction toy maker. Learn about our culture directly from the people who make this a mega place to work – the people with genuine passion for building the minds of the next generation.

Scroll down to read full interviews with our impassioned team of builders.

Bisma AnsariSVP MEGA & Glbl Head-Const

“I think most kids grow up saying ‘when I grow up, I want to change the world,’ and working at MEGA is a way that allows us to do that every day.”

Bisma understands the power of toys. Her favorite childhood stories feature toys, whether snuggling up with a hippo stuffy, or building desert brick cities with her brother (that featured actual sand dunes!). She knows that toys “provide comfort and inspiration,” which is something that resonates with every other person that works here.

Bisma understands the power of toys. Her favorite childhood stories feature toys, whether snuggling up with a hippo stuffy, or building desert brick cities with her brother (that featured actual sand dunes!). She knows that toys “provide comfort and inspiration,” which is something that resonates with every other person that works here.

She’s a leader we believe in because above all else, she gets toys. “My favorite thing about working here is collaborating in teams and seeing the talent come together to make the toys,” she says with assurance. But it’s more than that. Bisma feels a strong connection to the team through “hard work,” and when she compares it to most other jobs she knows “it’s not work because we’re really changing the world.

This job allows me to help impact kids in a positive way, and it fulfills me in my career and as a person. I feel privileged to have ‘a tool’ that can help develop minds for the future. Part of my purpose is making sure that more kids can develop their thinking, to set them up for what is needed in life.” And that’s her other passion, nurturing children. When we asked Bisma why she chose a career in toys, she replied with a laugh, “it chose me.” But after a more thoughtful moment to reply she said, “I don’t think there’s anything better than working in toys”.

For someone who cares so passionately about children, it’s hard to disagree. And I think she herself sums up that passion rather nicely: “A day in the life at MEGA is kind of like running a marathon because it never stops. It’s a hard-working, non-stop effort for an amazing result.” Oh, and by the way, that stuffed hippo of hers? It has a quote stitched onto it that reads “Running is my life.”

Read more

Bisma AnsariSVP MEGA & Glbl Head-Const

[ Quick Facts ]

Number of years at MEGA:
15

Brands worked on:
All

Favorite childhood toy:
Stuffed hippo

Favorite MEGA toy:
Build ‘n Learn Table

Team member

Riwan FezzouaGraphic Designer

“I still have all my toys at home. I love toys.”

Let’s get it straight; Riwan is serious about play – and about toys. Young at heart, this graphic designer always weaves a youthful energy into his work. “When I’m creating graphic art scenes, I envision myself playing with the toys to see what kind of actions would look the most awesome!” Some of us are better at connecting with our inner child, and Riwan uses this to his advantage.

Let’s get it straight; Riwan is serious about play – and about toys. Young at heart, this graphic designer always weaves a youthful energy into his work. “When I’m creating graphic art scenes, I envision myself playing with the toys to see what kind of actions would look the most awesome!” Some of us are better at connecting with our inner child, and Riwan uses this to his advantage.

“This job is a nice continuation of a younger me playing with toys, and this is what makes me connect with the brand, with the work.” It’s not all play, though – well, maybe it is because, for Riwan, building provides a multifaceted experience. “I love that our toys provide layers of experiences; you get to build something, and then you can either play with it, enjoy it on display or, for me, use it as a token of pop culture appreciation and creative inspiration.”

But also, Riwan wants you to know that we’re about making connections: “I feel like there are ways we all share passion. Especially with toys, people are super passionate about toys – and I want them to know that we are too!”

Read more

Riwan FezzouaGraphic Designer

[ Quick Facts ]

Number of years at MEGA:
2

Brands worked on:
Halo, Hot Wheels, MEGA Core

No. of toy boxes designed:
10 (and counting!)

Favorite childhood toy:
Buzz Lightyear (the big one)

Favorite MEGA toy:
TMNT Party Wagon Classic

Discipline:
Graphic Design

Specialty:
Creative concepting

Superpower:
Super sketching (he sketches a lot!)

Team member

Saskia DufresneProduct Designer

“Our designers always come up with crazy stuff!”

“Our designers always come up with crazy stuff”, says Saskia, with an excited smile. This toy designer loves the challenge of finding new ways to invigorate and reinvent our 30-year-old blocks. “We have to be super creative, that’s what drives me… well that and the feeling I get when I see a child play with something I’ve designed – there’s no other feeling like it!”, she says.

“Our designers always come up with crazy stuff”, says Saskia, with an excited smile. This toy designer loves the challenge of finding new ways to invigorate and reinvent our 30-year-old blocks. “We have to be super creative, that’s what drives me… well that and the feeling I get when I see a child play with something I’ve designed – there’s no other feeling like it!”, she says.

“When I’m designing, the toddler is always top of mind; I want to pique their curiosity and give them toys that help them explore their imagination. It’s funny, I didn’t plan on being a toy designer, I just sort of surfed the wave. But it makes perfect sense, because I love playing with toys, I guess I’m a big kid at heart. So, working at MEGA has really been a dream come true.”

Read more

Saskia DufresneProduct Designer

[ Quick Facts ]

Number of years at MEGA:
5

Brands worked on:
Preschool, Peek-A-Bloks, plant-based blocks, Musical Farm, Sesame Street, Disney and more!

Favorite childhood toy:
Ride-on School Bus, Barbie, Brats, Playmobil

Favorite MEGA toy:
Jungle Treehouse, Peek-A-Blocks, Tesla, Kubros, plant-based blocks

Discipline:
Industrial Design/Product Design

Specialty:
Problem solver

Random fact:
Trained her cat to use the toilet

Team member

Sho WuStructural Packaging Designer

“I love MEGA because it cares for children.”

“I was in love with the Barbie doll” says Sho, grinning from ear to ear. “I didn’t have any money to buy extra outfits for her, so I used paper to create cut-out dresses for her. This was the beginning of my career working with paper!” Sho says that she feels lucky to have landed at MEGA where, as a Structural Designer, she can flex her creativity and, with a laugh, work with “young clients”.

“I was in love with the Barbie doll” says Sho, grinning from ear to ear. “I didn’t have any money to buy extra outfits for her, so I used paper to create cut-out dresses for her. This was the beginning of my career working with paper!” Sho says that she feels lucky to have landed at MEGA where, as a Structural Designer, she can flex her creativity and, with a laugh, work with “young clients”.

For Sho, play is all about “creating emotional memories”, that’s why she uses our toys to engage with her own son. Sho’s proud to work for a company that “cares for children, is safe and reliable, and has created a brand that parents don’t have to worry about.” But she’s quick to remind us that working here is also “full of fun, fun projects, fun people, and full of possibilities.”

Read more

Sho WuStructural Packaging Designer

[ Quick Facts ]

Number of years at MEGA:
4

Brands worked on:
Halo, Pokémon, Game of Thrones, Destiny and more!

Favorite childhood toy:
Barbie doll

Favorite MEGA toy:
Pokémon Poke Ball

Discipline:
Packaging Engineering, Sampling & Drafting

Specialty:
Providing technical perspective

Team member

Marie-Eve RousseauKey Staff Dev Program Mgmt

“We are a construction-based brand, but we also do all sorts of really cool toys!”

“I used to drive by MEGA and tell myself it’d be so awesome to work there,” says Marie-Eve with a booming laugh. And now that she does, everything just ‘clicks.’ “The people here are the best. We are all passionate and we all want to make great toys.” She appreciates working in an “inclusive environment” where everyone is on the same page. “Working at MEGA, the fact that so many different teams are working together on a common goal is, for me, amazing.”

“I used to drive by MEGA and tell myself it’d be so awesome to work there,” says Marie-Eve with a booming laugh. And now that she does, everything just ‘clicks.’ “The people here are the best. We are all passionate and we all want to make great toys.” She appreciates working in an “inclusive environment” where everyone is on the same page. “Working at MEGA, the fact that so many different teams are working together on a common goal is, for me, amazing.”

As a Project Manager, she gets “to learn from everybody and take the best from everybody.” Most of all, though, Marie-Eve takes great pride in facilitating concept-first projects. “What I really want to do with the teams is to make sure that we make the toy that they have in their heads.

Without compromise. Because, as a parent, Marie-Eve understands the value of toys that go the extra mile. “You want your child to learn things through play. And with building, they can count, they can read, they can follow instructions, they can think by themselves.” For her, it’s all about passion and persistence because “we are trying to make toys that we love.”

Read more

Marie-Eve RousseauKey Staff Dev Program Mgmt

[ Quick Facts ]

Number of years at MEGA:
8

Brands worked on:
All of Mega Construx

No. of toys worked on:
“a lot” (800+)

Favorite childhood toy:
Barbie and Big Wheel

Favorite MEGA toy:
The Big Building Bag

Discipline:
Mechanical Engineering

Team member

Gavin SealLead creative studio

“There’s a huge difference between saying I bought that, and I built that.”

Gavin is a passionate storyteller, award-winning filmmaker, documentarian, innovative technologist and creative force. With 10+ years of experience in film, TV, and digital content creation, in 25+ countries, his dynamic career spans a variety of roles, platforms and genres, equipping him with a unique blend of professional expertise.

Gavin is a passionate storyteller, award-winning filmmaker, documentarian, innovative technologist and creative force. With 10+ years of experience in film, TV, and digital content creation, in 25+ countries, his dynamic career spans a variety of roles, platforms and genres, equipping him with a unique blend of professional expertise.

His experience drives leadership in the creation of effective content, highly stylized and driven by character and story. “What I try to do with my work is find a way to capture the intangible magic that is play” he says. And when it comes to construction play, Gavin wants “society to appreciate the value of tactility” because he believes that we create deeper connections through shared physical actions.

“MEGA offers a scope of creative opportunity” making it the perfect place to “create a visual language for the audience to connect with on an emotional level.”

Read more

Gavin SealLead creative studio

[ Quick Facts ]

Number of years at MEGA:
1

Brands worked on:
All of them

Favorite childhood toy:
Toxic Crusaders and Biker Mice from Mars

Favorite MEGA toy:
Pull-Along Puppy

Discipline:
Visual Narrative Design

Specialty:
Storytelling

Team member