In a significant leadership transition, retail apparel giant American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has named corporate Indian American finance executive Ravi Thanawala as its next executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Thanawala will officially take the financial helm on Aug. 3, succeeding Mike Mathias, who will transition to serve as a non-executive strategic advisor to Jay Schottenstein, executive chairman of the board and chief executive officer.
The appointment marks a major corporate move for Thanawala, who brings over two decades of financial and operational experience across major retail and consumer businesses.
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Academically, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Policy Economics from the New York University Stern School of Business, graduating magna cum laude in 2006. His educational background laid the groundwork for rapid growth through the leadership ranks of prominent global brands.
Thanawala transitions to American Eagle from Papa John’s International, Inc., where he served as chief financial officer and president of North America. His extensive resume also includes a high-profile tenure at Nike, Inc., where he served as the chief financial officer for Nike North America, as well as global vice president and CFO of the Converse brand.
Prior to his time at Nike, Thanawala spent eight years rising through increasingly senior roles at ANN INC., which included leading the company’s Asia operations, global logistics, and international trade while based in Hong Kong, eventually becoming the subsidiary’s CFO.
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At American Eagle, Thanawala will oversee the financial strategies of a global portfolio that includes the flagship American Eagle brand and the highly successful Aerie line.
“Looking ahead, I am excited to partner with Jay and leadership to accelerate long-term strategic initiatives, maintain financial discipline and unlock new avenues for profitable growth that will help to maximize value for our shareholders,” he stated on joining the specialty retailer.
Alongside the leadership announcement, the Pittsburgh-based retailer reaffirmed its second-quarter and full-year fiscal 2026 financial guidance, signaling stability to Wall Street as the brand embarks on its next chapter of strategic expansion and market growth under new financial stewardship.