Stephanie Kugelman

Stephanie embodied grace. She led her life with understated influence and left an enduring legacy. She excelled professionally, but her most important accomplishment was building a wonderful family.

The eldest of three children to the late Rowland and Heather Brown, Stephanie was born in Nyack, NY in 1947 and grew up in Weston, CT. Upon graduation from Elmira College, Stephanie moved to New York City.

A chance exposure to an ad agency focus group kickstarted a trailblazing 36-year career in advertising, all spent at Young & Rubicam (Y&R). Stephanie joined Y&R as a junior researcher in 1971, rose to become CEO of the New York flagship office, served on its Board, and concluded her career as Chief Strategic Officer of Y&R Worldwide, retiring with the title Vice Chairman Emeritus. Among many professional recognitions, Stephanie was named Advertising Woman of the Year in 2000.

Stephanie helped lead highly memorable campaigns for brands including 7-Up (‘Make 7-Up Yours!’) and Dr. Pepper (‘Just What the Doctor Ordered’). For Sears, one of America’s oldest businesses, Stephanie created the campaign ‘Come See the Softer Side of Sears,’ helping reposition the company’s image well beyond a hardware store.

Following her time at Y&R, Stephanie served on the Boards of Directors of HSN Inc. and Whole Foods Market.

Stephanie’s successful career played second fiddle to family. Her most cherished roles were as mother to Dana, wife to the late Arthur Kugelman whom she married in 1974, and stepmother to Sarah, Arthur’s daughter from a previous marriage. Her love and dedication to her family superseded her professional aspirations, but in the end, she achieved so much in both realms.

Stephanie had impeccable taste and style. She was intelligent and sophisticated, elegant and cool. She was always approachable and a great listener. Stephanie cared deeply about others and always gave great advice. Her relationships were rooted in kindness, trust and authenticity.

Toward the end of her years at Y&R, Stephanie met Edward Vick, whom she married in 2010. Stephanie became stepmother to Ed’s three children. Stephanie and Ed called Old Greenwich home, loved time together on the west coast of Florida, traveled regularly and always opened their home to family.

Philanthropic endeavors were important to Stephanie. She served on the Board of Gilda’s Club, at the time, a groundbreaking nonprofit focused on creating support communities for people with cancer. She also served on the Board of Safe Horizon, the largest victim services organization in the country. In later years, she led the Scholarship Committee for the Boca Grande Woman’s Club where she helped countless students realize their dreams of attending college.

To her granddaughters, Stephanie was known as Nan, and they were her pride and joy. She took tremendous satisfaction being so present in their lives—walking them to school, hosting them on vacations to Boca Grande and Old Greenwich, and showering them with unconditional love.

Stephanie is survived by her husband Edward Vick, daughter Dana Feigenbaum, son-in-law David Feigenbaum and granddaughters Anna and Hadley Feigenbaum; her stepdaughter Sarah Kugelman and granddaughter Alexa Nanes; her stepchildren Josh and Nikola Vick, Charlie and Jessica Vick, and Jane and Mekki Jaidi and their children; her sister Kathy Brown, brother-in-law Kevin Whalen, sisters-in-law Ileane Eisenberg and Lynne Breslin and all their incredible families, with whom she loved sharing holidays and family gatherings. Stephanie was predeceased by her first husband Arthur Kugelman and her brother Geoffrey Brown.

In lieu of flowers, Stephanie’s family requests that donations be made to:

Safe Horizon: www.safehorizon.org/giving

Boca Grande Woman’s Club Scholarship Program: www.bocagrandewomansclub.org/donate/

MJHS Foundation supporting hospice care: www.mjhsfoundation.org/donation/give-to-mjhs

Friends & family are welcome to gather at Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave, New York, New York 10028, on May 8, 2026, beginning at 10:30 am. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 am and a reception on the 4th floor will follow the conclusion of the service.