Jamie Cygielman

Jamie Cygielman currently serves as the general manager and president of American Girl. It is a New York-based brand known for its line of 18-inch dolls, and it aims to help young girls with character development. A brilliant marketer with deep customer insight and industry-backed experience, she was appointed the position back in May 2019.

Prior to that, American Girl was struggling to maintain market share against giants like Mattel. Under Cygielman’s leadership, the brand made several steps to recapture the market. This includes selling “experiences” through interactive activities with the dolls – such as the Treat Seat and Scavenger Hunt. The company also focused on going “back to its roots” by not only making more immersive stores but also telling stories that encompass a broader array of American experiences.

Before taking the helm of American Girl, she acted as general manager for Madame Alexander, a doll brand that she successfully led back to premium position and profitability. Prior to that, she already had 30 years of experience, championing innovation and development for brands like Revlon, The Radio City Rockettes, Jones New York, Barbie and Thomas & Friends, the latter of which she made the No. 1 pre-school brand. She was also the CMO for Iconix Brand Group’s portfolio of fashion and lifestyle brands, where she drove industry-leading campaigns and was at the forefront of the organization’s digital transformation.

Cygielman received her education from NYU Stern School of Business, where she graduated with an MBA in marketing. Before that, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.