Authority Brands Names New Chief Customer and Marketing Officer & Chief People Officer

Authority Brands, one of the largest multi-brand home services franchisors in the United States, added two to its executive leadership team: Elicia Azali as chief customer and marketing officer, and Whitney Woodward as chief people officer. Both executives are based in Atlanta, and bring extensive leadership experience that will help advance the company’s ability to support its franchise owners, brands and team members as it continues to grow.

“Authority Brands is a people-serving-people business, and the strength of our leadership team plays an important role in how we support our franchise owners, brands, and team members,” said Jay Caiafa, Authority Brands CEO. “Elicia has a deep understanding of how to build brands, connect with consumers, and drive growth, while Whitney has extensive experience developing people and helping organizations perform at their best. Together with our broader leadership team and people across the business, they will help us execute our strategy and drive continued success for our franchise owners.”

As chief customer and marketing officer, Azali oversees customer experience, brand strategy, and marketing, including initiatives that help Authority Brands’ franchise owners attract and engage customers in their local markets. She reports to Caiafa. She brings extensive experience driving business growth through digital innovation, data analytics and integrated marketing strategies.

Prior to joining Authority Brands, she served as chief marketing officer of Beazer Homes, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, where she led national brand strategy, digital customer experience, customer insights, analytics and regional marketing. Her responsibilities also included communications, public relations, paid media and content. Previously, she was enterprise chief marketing officer at American Family Insurance Group, overseeing marketing for its portfolio of brands, including American Family Insurance and The General. Her earlier experience includes leadership roles at Nationwide Insurance and Procter & Gamble.

“The way homeowners find, choose and connect with home service providers is changing rapidly, and Authority Brands is embracing that shift by finding new ways to meet customers where they are,” Azali said. “Our investments in technology, marketing, data and AI are giving us the ability to better understand customers, deliver more relevant, personalized experiences, and give our franchise owners the tools to compete and win in their local markets. What excites me most is putting the strength and scale of Authority Brands behind every franchise owner, helping them attract more customers, build lasting relationships and grow their businesses.”

Throughout her career, Azali has earned recognition for her marketing leadership and creative work, including induction into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement in 2023 and being named to Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 list in 2021. She also serves on the boards of the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and the Morehouse College Division of Business and Economics.