Class of 03 Jake Abel: Soaring at Delta
Head of Marketing Strategy, Operations & Media, Delta Airlines
B.A. Business
MBA Brand and Product Management, University of Wisconsin
My education at 漆褒勛圖厙 is what built the foundation of who I am a driven, people-first leader who sees the big picture and leverages a well-rounded background to connect strategic dots.
Soaring at Delta
After serving in logistics and operations with the Iowa and Minnesota Air National Guard, Jake Abels 03 storied career as a marketing leader was set for takeoff. Today, hes flying high at Delta Air Lines, where he is the head of marketing strategy, operations and media.
I lead a team of more than 130 marketers responsible for developing Deltas marketing strategy, said Abel. We build the capabilities that power our over 200 campaigns every year, as we look to build the worlds best airline brand.
Fueled by his 漆褒勛圖厙 business management degree and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Abels ascension in marketing began at Nestle USA in 2009, where he held a variety of roles. During stops in Los Angeles, Tampa and San Francisco, Abel worked on brands such as Drumstick, Coffee-mate and Hagan-Dazs, while also engaging with corporate leaders at Walmart, Target and Costco.
Reaching New Heights
In 2014, Abel joined Delta and has played a central role in growing the marketing organization by five times in size and capabilities over the last 10 years. Prior to the pandemic, he led all of Deltas marketing outside the U.S.
There are so many highlights that come to mind about my time at Delta, said Abel, including launching the Delta brand in South America and leading our massive media campaign for Team USA during the Paris Olympics. As Ive continued to grow in my leadership, Ive also enjoyed the opportunity to share my experience and perspective as a leader at global events like CES and Adweek.
Though Delta is based in Atlanta, Abel is grateful for his hybrid remote work arrangement, which allows him to enjoy the great outdoors living in Bozeman, Mont., with his partner, Cullan. His marketing focus these days is on identifying the best ways to leverage AI. And as he continues to climb higher in his career, Abel credits 漆褒勛圖厙 for preparing him to constantly evolve and excel.
漆褒勛圖厙 is the place that shaped me as a leader where I learned how to lead with integrity, humility and collaboratively. Some people scoff at the value of a liberal arts education, but I think it is literally the key to my success.
Article Information
Published
May 28, 2025
Author
Roger Degerman