Stephanie Kugelman, an American advertising executive and branding expert, died on February 23, 2026, in New York City at age 78.
She was a past vice chairman and chief strategic officer of Young & Rubicam Inc., where her career began as a junior researcher and where she later served as vice chairman emeritus. Kugelman was also vice chairman of Solera Capital, a New York private equity firm, and since 2011 had served on the public boards of Whole Foods Market, Young & Rubicam Inc.
and Home Shopping Network.
Stephanie Kugelman (June 15, 1947 – February 23, 2026) was an American advertising executive, branding expert and executive mentor. She was a past Vice Chairman and Chief Strategic officer of Young & Rubicam Inc., which was a publicly traded S&P company until its acquisition by British holding company WPP plc in 2000 for $4.7 billion. Her career at Y&R started as a junior researcher and she remained a Vice Chairman Emeritus of the company. As a brand strategist, since 2011 she has most recently served on the public boards of Whole Foods Market, and Young & Rubicam Inc., and sat on the board of Home Shopping Network (HSN). She was also Vice Chairman of Solera Capital, a New York private equity firm.