Nike announced a series of changes to its senior leadership team late Monday in an effort to “accelerate” its progress against its Win Now action plan.
According to the Swoosh, chief executive officer and president Elliott Hill and Heidi O’Neill, president of Consumer, Product, and Brand, have decided the O’Neill’s division will now be divided into three distinct areas: Consumer and Sport, Marketing, and Product Creation, which is inclusive of innovation and design.
These roles will now report directly to Hill, the company said. As a result of these changes O’Neill has decided to retire from Nike after 26 years. She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until September.
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“For nearly three decades, Heidi has been a true champion for Nike, for sport and for athletes across the globe. Her vision and dedication over the years have left an indelible mark on Nike and created an impact on the world of sport,” Hill said in a statement. “Among Heidi’s many successes, she most recently elevated our brand voice, and innovation and product pipeline by putting sport and athletes at the center of everything we do. I want to thank Heidi for her passion, commitment and service and wish her the best on her next adventure.”
As a result of this move, Amy Montagne, previously the vice president and general manager of global women’s, has been promoted to president of Nike brand, responsible for “obsessing and serving consumers” across all sports and driving future growth for the Nike brand.
Montagne has worked at Nike for 20 years, and has previously held various VP/GM roles, including Asia Pacific and Latin America, global men’s, global categories, global women’s, global merchandising, and other leadership positions in North America, running, women’s training, and sportswear. Before joining Nike, Montagne worked in allocation, planning, and merchandising at Gap Inc., Mervyn’s, and Walmart.
Next, Phil McCartney, formerly VP of footwear, has been promoted to EVP and chief innovation, design & product officer, responsible for the creation of innovative and coveted product, season-after-season. This includes how Nike, Jordan and Converse innovates, designs, and creates products for athletes around the world.
McCartney is a seasoned professional with 27 years of experience at Nike. He previously served as the VP of Nike footwear, a position he has held since 2016. Over the past nine years, he has contributed significantly to the growth of Nike by working across product development, design, and merchandising for all sports and Nike sportswear.
Nicole Graham, previously chief marketing officer, has been promoted to EVP and chief marketing officer, leading Nike, Jordan and Converse storytelling. Graham re-joined Nike as the CMO in 2023. In 2020, Graham co-founded Adopt, a creative agency that partners with athletes, start-ups, and top consumer companies. Prior to that, she spent 18 years at Nike.
Finally, Tom Clarke, currently strategic advisor to the CEO and member of the senior leadership team, has assumed the new role of chief growth initiatives officer.
Clarke is a 45-year veteran of Nike. He joined Nike in 1980 as the director of biomechanics research, before going on to serve in roles such as director of research and development; VP of product, VP of marketing; and GM of Nike brand. His first senior leadership role was VP of footwear and apparel, and he was president and chief operating officer from 1994-2000. Prior to becoming the strategic advisor to the CEO in 2023, Clarke served as the president of innovation for Nike for 11 years.
“I’m confident that with this new structure and leadership team in place we will be able to better line up and leverage all the advantages that make Nike great,” Hill added. “These exceptional leaders bring extensive Nike experience and have been instrumental in resetting our priorities to lead with sport and put the athlete at the center of everything we do.”
These moves come just weeks after Nike named 14-year Nike veteran Jennifer Hartley as its new chief strategy officer. According to the company, Hartley will work closely with CFO Matt Friend and CEO Elliott Hill to “develop, drive and deliver” Nike’s strategic agenda.
On the company’s third quarter earnings call in March, Hill told analysts about its “Win Now” strategy Nike execs developed back in December. According to the CEO, who joined the company in October, these new priorities are centered around five fields of play, three countries and five cities.
Net income at the Beaverton, Ore.-based company in Q3 was $794 million, down 32 percent from $1.2 billion in the year-ago period. Diluted earnings per share was 54 cents, a decrease of 30 percent from 77 cents at the same time last year. Net sales in the period were $11.3 billion, down 9 percent from $12.4 billion, on a reported basis, compared to the prior year.