Congratulations to our very own TaJane (Taj) Nolen, Director – Product Management, on her selection to The Advanced Leadership Institute’s (TALI) 2025 Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) cohort! Taj is AEO’s first leader to join the program, and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.
Together with Carnegie Mellon University, TALI has developed a world-class executive education program, creating ladders of opportunity for participants as they seek to drive personal growth and broaden community impact. AEO has proudly supported the organization since 2023.
Below, Taj offers insights into her career, what she’s most looking forward to taking away from the program and how she hopes to apply her learnings to her role at AEO.
Tell us about your role at AEO!
Sure! I’m a Director of Product Management on the digital side of the business. I have an incredible team that manages the search and browse experience on the website and the full mobile app experience. I’ve been in various roles in the company, starting as a merchandising intern back in 2012! It’s been a great journey and I’ve loved being able to continue finding new things to learn at a company that I love.
Why did you want to join TALI’s ELA?
I am a lifelong learner. As Abigail Adams once said, I believe that “learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence”. My participation in TALI’s ELA is one way that I am diligently seeking learning and growth.
This program has already given me so many skills that bring immediate value to my day to day while also giving me lessons that I can apply as I look forward to my career at AEO. And it’s a beautiful benefit that I get to do it in such an affirming space that includes other African American professionals. I knew that it would be an eye opening and valuable experience and so far it has delivered above and beyond what I could have imagined.
What are you most looking forward to taking away from the ELA?
I am most looking forward to being a witness to my own growth throughout the program. During the first session, we were challenged to think about our own personal vision statements, our networks and our goals in a way that was refreshing and impactful. After just one session, there’s a difference in the way that I show up to my team, my colleagues and others. They are providing invaluable tools and I get to apply them in the way that works for me and my personal brand. It’s truly a joy! And there are 20 other people that I get to learn from and grow with.
As a bonus, the ELA program counts toward an Executive Certificate from the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business – I look forward to taking advantage of this opportunity to receive even more training!
How do you hope to apply your learnings from the ELA to your role at AEO?
I am bringing back every single learning – whether it’s through the way that I show up or through the way that I coach and mentor others. Metaphorically, I will fill my cup with all of the lessons and learnings from the program and allow them to overflow into my work and relationships here at AEO. When I look forward to how I want to be remembered as a leader, it’s for being effective, sure, but mostly for being empathetic, generous and authentic. This program is helping me marry those together so that I show up as my full self in every space.
Any parting words of motivation or encouragement for fellow associates who might be interested in applying to TALI’s programs?
To anyone considering the program, apply. To anyone who believes that you may not be a good fit or you may not get in – apply. This is an opportunity to join a phenomenal program with people who care deeply about equipping you with the tools to better yourself, your team and your community. So, again, I say – apply.
Pictured left to right: Evan Frazier, President and CEO – TALI, Taj Nolen, AEO and Terry Roberts, AEO
