Jessica Cicali is the chief administrative officer at CARDONE Industries, a leading automotive aftermarket company founded in 1970. Cicali’s journey with CARDONE began in May 2021 when she joined the company as general counsel. Recognized for her leadership skills and knowledge, she quickly rose to the position of chief administrative officer at the beginning of 2023. In her expanded role, Cicali oversees legal, human resources, risk management, government relations and import/export compliance.
After a change in ownership from a family-owned business to a private-equity-backed portfolio company in 2019, Cicali was recruited by CEO Mike Carr, with whom she previously worked at Axalta Coating Systems. Together with the new leadership team, they navigated the transition phase and focused on driving improvements in the business. “Cicali’s tenacity, out-of-the-box thinking and proactive approach helped resolve numerous government, community, regulatory/legal and industry issues,” the company said.
Cicali’s vision is to promote planet-friendly policies that support remanufacturing, creating good jobs and a strong economic and environmental value proposition for consumers. Cicali’s efforts have positioned her as an advocate for the future of remanufacturing in the automotive aftermarket.
Cicali obtained her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2009 while working full time and raising children. She continues to mentor, coach, volunteer and serve community organizations, including her involvement with The Arc of Chester County, where she previously served as a board member and officer. Cicali received a Rising Star Award at the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Corporate Counsel Awards.
“I often say it is healthy to spend 80% of our professional time outside our comfort zones,” Cicali said. “I remind myself that, ‘growth doesn’t come by way of comfort,’ and, when things are difficult, that’s where real change occurs.
“In my career, I have taken risks by taking on positions of increasing responsibility in unfamiliar, fast-paced, challenging environments. No matter how uncertain things are, I bet on this: even if things do not go according to my plan, I will win or learn and be stronger, wiser and more knowledgeable for having taken the risk. Taking smart risks and navigating uncertainty has been rewarding for me as it has led to seasons of rapid learning and has increased my confidence that I can navigate uncharted, perhaps even stormy, waters in the future.”
In 2022, Cicali joined around 15 other women from around the world to participate in the Serengeti Girls Run — a 63K run across the Serengeti in Tanzania. Cicali, along with this group of women, were able to raise over $150,000 to fund women’s empowerment programs, scholarships, education and sanitary products for 5,000 girls in Tanzania.
