2025 TRAILBLAZER HONOREE

Jessica Ling

Executive Vice President, Global Advertising, American Express

Jessica (Jess) Ling is the Executive Vice President of Global Advertising at American Express, focused on driving brand engagement and demand through global media and creative content, social and influencer marketing, measurement and analytics, and talent partnerships. Jess also oversees American Express’ in-house creative agency, OnBrand, as well as brand platforms including Shop Small and Small Business Saturday.

Since joining American Express in 2019, Jess has held several senior marketing roles spanning both brand and performance marketing. Previously she was the Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Global Commercial Services business, responsible for U.S. prospect acquisition, as well as global marketing strategy, and content, brand, and experiential programs that engaged business card members.

Jess has over 20 years of experience bringing global brands and products to market. Prior to American Express, Jess was Head of B2B Marketing at Verizon Media, where she spent over six years leading a cross-functional revenue marketing organization.

In 2024, Jess was named one of Campaign US’ Inspiring Women, Breaking Brand Barriers. She has an M.A. from New York University and a B.S. in Marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her partner and two children.

Nominated By: 

Elizabeth Rutledge

Chief Marketing Officer, American Express

Elizabeth Rutledge is the Chief Marketing Officer at American Express, overseeing global media, sponsorships, experiences, strategic brand planning, and customer insights. Elizabeth is passionate about providing the “Powerful Backing” of American Express and demonstrating what it means to colleagues, customers, and communities around the world. 

Prior to becoming CMO and a member of the Executive Committee in 2018, Elizabeth held various product, marketing, and insights roles at American Express. Previously, she was Executive Vice President, U.S. Card Products and Benefits, leading American Express’ Consumer Charge and Lending portfolios, Co-Brand products, and Membership Rewards. Prior, she was Executive Vice President, Global Network Marketing and Information, where she delivered powerful marketing and insights to global merchants. 

Elizabeth has been named one of Fast Company’s CMOs of the Year and Forbes’ World’s Most Influential CMOs, an Adweek Marketing Vanguard, an AdAge Woman to Watch, and one of She Runs It’s Women of the Year. She is also the recipient of an Adweek Brand Genius Award, a Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications, and a Marketer of the Year Award from the Advertising Club of NY.

Elizabeth sits on the Board of Directors for the Association of National Advertisers, the Ad Council, and the YMCA of Greater New York. She is also the Global Executive Sponsor of the colleague Disability Awareness Network at American Express. 

She is a graduate of Princeton University and holds an MBA from New York University.