# Elizabeth Rutledge

> Elizabeth Rutledge is the chief marketing officer and an executive officer of American Express, where she oversees global media, sponsorships, experiences, strategic brand planning, and customer insights. A Princeton graduate with an MBA from NYU, she began her working life in research and classroom teaching before moving into marketing and joining American Express in 1990. Her long tenure has included senior leadership of U.S. card products and benefits, global network marketing and information, and global advertising and brand management. Her operating philosophy combines customer insight, direct language, small cross-functional teams, mentorship, and cultural partnerships that turn card membership into useful access and memorable experiences.

- **Role:** Chief Marketing Officer at American Express
- **Organizations:** American Express, Association of National Advertisers, The Ad Council, YMCA of Greater New York, NYNEX
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in English; pre-med focus, Princeton University, MBA, NYU Stern School of Business
- **Known for:** Member of the American Express Executive Committee and an executive officer since 2018., Oversees American Express global media, sponsorships, experiences, strategic brand planning, and customer insights., Named Marketer of the Year by the Advertising Club of New York in 2024.

## Career timeline

- **Early 1980s** — After Princeton, worked in research for a cardiothoracic surgeon at a New York hospital, then decided not to pursue medicine.
- **Early career** — Taught biology in New York City for two years; summer work in advertising and marketing led to full-time opportunities in the field.
- **Before 1990** — Worked briefly at NYNEX, the regional telephone company later associated with Verizon.
- **1990** — Joined American Express through a referral from a friend.
- **Before 2018** — Held roles across business development, partner negotiations, product development, marketing, and insights, including EVP of Global Network Marketing and Information and EVP of U.S. Card Products and Benefits.
- **2018** — Became chief marketing officer, joined the American Express Executive Committee, and became an executive officer.
- **2020** — Led marketing during the launch of Stand for Small and championed short, cross-functional campaign sprints.
- **2022** — Received a Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications and was named a She Runs It Woman of the Year.
- **2024** — Named Marketer of the Year by the Advertising Club of New York, an Adweek Marketing Vanguard, and one of Fast Company's Brands That Matter CMOs of the Year.
- **2025** — Featured in Campaign US's CMO 50 and discussed customer-centered brand building on The CMO Podcast.
- **2026** — Spoke at Tribeca X about experiences and cultural access, and appeared on Forbes's World's Most Influential CMOs list.

## Achievements

- Member of the American Express Executive Committee and an executive officer since 2018.
- Oversees American Express global media, sponsorships, experiences, strategic brand planning, and customer insights.
- Named Marketer of the Year by the Advertising Club of New York in 2024.
- Named an Adweek Marketing Vanguard in 2024.
- Named one of Fast Company's Brands That Matter CMOs of the Year in 2024.
- Included in Campaign US's CMO 50 in 2025.
- Included in Forbes's World's Most Influential CMOs list in 2026.
- Received the 2022 Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications.
- Serves on the boards of the Association of National Advertisers, the Ad Council, and the YMCA of Greater New York.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — American Express broke ground on a new tower in Lower Manhattan; Rutledge described it as a continuation of the company's 175-year New York story.
- **2026-06** — Included in Forbes's 2026 World's Most Influential CMOs list and Business Insider's 2026 Most Innovative CMOs list.
- **2026-06** — Spoke at Tribeca X about experiences, fandom, trust, service, and cultural access.
- **2026-05** — Helped announce American Express's payments partnership with Fanatics, including plans for a Fanatics American Express card and FanCash as a Membership Rewards transfer partner.
- **2025-10** — Included in Campaign US's CMO 50 for customer-centered marketing, cultural partnerships, and use of AI in marketing workflows.

## Links

- Website: https://www.americanexpress.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-rutledge

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/elizabeth-rutledge
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-11