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American Girl President: Experiential Retail Starts With Human Connection

Click Here To View The Full Video *Member Benefit

This video features a discussion from the Women in Retail Pavilion at Shoptalk 2025, held March 25-27 in Las Vegas. Jamie Cygielman, general manager and president of American Girl (a division of Mattel), was interviewed by Sharonda Weatherspoon, senior vice president of retail operations, client development and retail transformation at Ralph Lauren. Cygielman shared how she sought to work for a legacy brand that placed an emphasis on human connection and inspires girls to grow up with courage, confidence, and strength of character.

In the clip from their conversation, Cygielman shares how American Girl has redefined experiential retail by providing unique opportunities through American Girl experiences like having tea with your dolls, going to the hair salon, picking out your doll’s clothes, and more.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) members can view Weatherspoon and Cygielman’s full conversation here. Not a member? Apply today!

Kristina Stidham

Kristina Stidham is the digital content director at Women in Retail Leadership Circle and sister brands Total Retail and Women Leading Travel & Hospitality at NAPCO Media. She is passionate about digital media and handles video, podcast and virtual event production for all brands. You can often find her at WIRLC, TR, WLT&H or industry events with her camera and podcasting equipment⁠—or at home on Zoom⁠—recording interviews with thought leaders and business executives.

Kristina holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Production from the Temple University Klein College of Media and Communication in Philadelphia. Go Owls! When she's not in the office, she loves to go on long walks, sing around the house, hangout with her family and two pet guinea pigs, and travel to new places.

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