Raleigh mom to lead major children's products group

Brenda started the Raleigh company in 2003 after a visit to her husband's homeland of Sweden. There, she fell in love with the design and functionality of Scandinavian products for kids, according to the company's website. Brenda was pregnant with her first child at the time. She started the company to introduce the products in the United States. It is now the exclusive North American distributor for several lines, including Svan, Anka, Cariboo, lillebaby, Micralite and Beaba.

You might know of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association best for the stamp of approval it gives to children's products. The association has developed standards for juvenile products and has certified more than 2,000 in 20 categories, according to the group.

"For nearly 50 years JPMA has been the voice of the juvenile products industry, its primary advocate, and its most indispensable resource," she said in an association press release. "JPMA and its members continue to serve as leaders in product safety and I am excited to be part of this industry as we continue to rise to this challenge in the coming year."