Creating a Movement in Women’s Leadership With Ilona Aman, CMO of Athleta

In this special episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast, host Jenny Rooney speaks with Ilona Aman, CMO of Athleta, about her leadership journey and vision. 

Aman shares insights from her background at Nike and Adidas, where she worked with icons like Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams. She discusses her commitment to empowering women and girls through Athleta’s mission. She emphasizes the brand’s focus on authenticity, service, and partnerships that enhance its message of empowerment. 

She also covers how Athleta differentiates itself within the Gap Inc. portfolio by targeting a unique audience, fostering collaboration, and staying consumer-centric in a competitive landscape.

“Girls are the future. The more we invest in girls today, and [the more] we look at how movement reinforces their confidence in whatever they do—in sport, out of sport—they become better human beings. They become the full spectrum of themselves,” Aman says on the podcast.

A dynamic global brand marketing leader with over 21 years of experience across lifestyle, entertainment, sports, and consumer marketing, Aman is the current CMO of Athleta, driving brand marketing strategy, overseeing brand marketing, social media, PR, partnerships, events, and CRM. Previously, she led groundbreaking brand initiatives at Adidas and developed membership-driven strategies at Fabletics alongside Khloe Kardashian and Kevin Hart. 

Known for her authentic, high-energy leadership, she’s passionate about building and inspiring diverse teams, delivering impactful, consumer-centered marketing, and driving brand growth through innovation and strategic storytelling.

SurveyMonkey Curiosity Awards

The most innovative marketers are the ones who dare to ask the questions that matter and encourage a culture of curiosity in their organizations.

Curiosity awakens their imagination. It feeds their thirst for knowledge. It incites their insights into their customers and drives their creative vision. It fuels every successful strategy.

That’s the essence that distinguishes the 10 marketers who are being honored as winners of the inaugural SurveyMonkey Curiosity Awards. The premise of the awards is simple: Celebrate extraordinary marketing professionals working at SurveyMonkey customer companies who are driving innovation and shaping what’s next for their businesses, industries, and communities.

Click here to learn more about the 2024 SurveyMonkey Curiosity Award winners.