Zigazoo, creator of the world’s largest social platform for kids, has just named veteran kids‑entertainment executive Ashley Mady as its new CEO, a move the Miami‑based company says will accelerate its push to become the media brand Gen Alpha grows up with. The appointment marks a significant leadership shift as Zigazoo expands beyond its flagship social platform into original content, creator ecosystems, consumer products, and live experiences.
Mady [pictured above] spent more than 20 years shaping major youth franchises from Hannah Montana toThe Wiggles to legacy brands like Care Bears, and she brings deep experience in what resonates with young audiences. She previously served as president of Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment and sits on the Boards of Directors of The Toy Association and The Toy Foundation. Since joining Zigazoo, she has helped steer strategy, partnerships, and commercial growth, laying the groundwork for this next phase.
Her appointment follows the launch of Zigazoo Studios, a joint venture with Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse, which positions the company to expand across creators, entertainment, and family‑focused experiences. At a time when policymakers, tech companies and families increasingly debate what age‑appropriate digital spaces should look like, Zigazoo says it aims to define a model where creativity, participation, and digital well‑being coexist.
“We’re building the media company for Gen Alpha, where creators, technology, and community come together to help young people discover their voice. We believe the future of media will be participatory, creator-driven, and built with communities, not simply for them,” said Mady, who grew up in South Florida and joined Zigazoo as president in 2022.
“Zigazoo is creating an ecosystem where young creators can grow across content, entertainment, experiences, and consumer products, while remaining grounded in the values that have defined us from the beginning: creativity, trust, digital well-being, and positive community,” she added.
Founded in 2020 by parents and former educators as a challenge-based app, Zigazoo has grown into the top-ranked iOS platform for children.
Co-founder Zak Ringelstein will transition from CEO to Executive Chairman. In his new role, Ringelstein will focus on government affairs, online safety initiatives, and long-term strategic planning while co-leading fundraising efforts alongside Mady.
“Since Ashley joined Zigazoo, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the company we are today,” said Ringelstein. “She brings a unique combination of experience across entertainment, creators, consumer products, and technology, along with a clear vision for the future of media. We’re building the media company Gen Alpha will grow up with, just as previous generations grew up with Disney and Nickelodeon, and Ashley is exactly the leader to help make that vision a reality.”
Mady will also join Zigazoo’s Board of Directors alongside recently appointed board member Simon Philips, a former executive at Disney, Marvel, and Moonbug.
The company is now a team of about 50 and reports that it has executed partnerships with major brands and entertainment powerhouses such as Netflix, Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks, MLB, WWE, and Crayola. The venture-funded startup has raised about $21 million from investors including Serena Ventures, MaC Venture Capital, the NBA, iHeartMedia, Ciara, and Russell Wilson, among others.
READ MORE IN REFRESH MIAMI:
- Zigazoo raises $17M celebrity-studded Series A to expand its positive, safe social network for kids
- Can kids be safe and unplugged at school? This Boca startup says yes
- With Postr, the creator economy found a new home address
- Commas is building the operating system for making money online
- Zigazoo taps entertainment veteran as CEO to lead Gen Alpha expansion – August 19, 2026
- Miami startup Papa unveils direct-to-consumer companionship model – August 19, 2026
- 10+ things to know in #MiamiTech: loanDepot bringing tech jobs, plus news from Mark43, PowerUs, Longeveron, Scale2Miami, OutRival, Research Park at FAU, Ondas, Florida Chamber & more – August 14, 2026
