American Eagle Outfitters has announced the appointment of Ravi Thanawala as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He will officially assume the position on Aug. 3, 2026, succeeding longtime finance leader Mike Mathias, who is moving into a strategic advisory role after more than two decades with the retailer.
Mathias, who has served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer since 2020, will remain involved through the rest of fiscal 2026 to support a smooth leadership transition. In his new capacity as a full-time non-executive strategic advisor, he will work closely with Thanawala to ensure continuity across the company’s financial operations and long-term initiatives.
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Schottenstein welcomed Thanawala to the leadership team, praising his extensive experience in the retail and consumer sectors. Schottenstein said Thanawala’s proven ability to drive operational performance and lead financial strategy would strengthen the company’s position and support its long-term business objectives.
Thanawala expressed enthusiasm about joining American Eagle Outfitters and said his immediate focus would be collaborating with Mathias to ensure a seamless transition. He added that he looks forward to partnering with the company’s leadership team to advance strategic priorities, maintain financial discipline, and identify new opportunities for sustainable and profitable growth.
The newly appointed finance chief brings a wealth of executive experience from some of the world’s leading consumer brands. Most recently, Thanawala served as Chief Financial Officer and President of North America at Papa John’s International. Earlier in his tenure with the company, he held the roles of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for its international operations and also stepped in as interim Chief Executive Officer during 2024.
Prior to joining Papa John’s, Thanawala was Chief Financial Officer for Nike North America. His career also includes senior finance and operational leadership positions at Converse and ANN Inc., where he managed responsibilities spanning finance, Asian operations, global logistics, and international trade. His broad background in financial management, operational strategy, and international business is expected to support American Eagle Outfitters as it continues pursuing growth opportunities in the competitive retail market.
