Dive Brief:
- Nike on Tuesday announced changes to senior leadership across both its direct-to-consumer and human resources divisions, ushering in a new vice president and general manager of women’s, as well as a new chief of diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Amy Montagne, who currently serves as vice president and general manager of Asia Pacific and Latin America, will move up to lead the women’s business as Whitney Malkiel leaves the company, according to a company press release. No reason was given for the departure.
- James Loduca will join as Nike’s new diversity chief, according to a LinkedIn post. He was most recently the vice president of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility at Twitter, per his LinkedIn.
Dive Insight:
Nike is shaking up leadership in a few key roles at the start of the year.
Loduca, who will take on leadership of Nike’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, is set to join almost four months after news broke that the company’s last diversity chief was leaving. Jarvis Sam was the second top diversity executive to leave within two years, and spent under a year in the role. Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment asking when Loduca would start.
On the direct-to-consumer side of the athletics retailer’s business, Nike is promoting two decades-long veterans to new positions. Montagne will take on her new role as the vice president and general manager of women’s on Monday. At the same time, Cathy Sparks, who is currently the vice president of Nike Direct and Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will become the vice president and general manager of Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Sparks has been with Nike for 25 years in various leadership roles, including time spent leading Nike’s direct stores and retail concepts. Montagne is an 18-year Nike veteran and has previously led the company’s global men’s division, global women’s and global merchandising.
The retailer said the leadership changes would support its consumer direct acceleration strategy, which hinges on digital and DTC sales as a means of growth.
“These changes will further build on our strengths and underscore our commitment to accelerate our women’s business, invest in our geographies, and further grow our top talent,” Heidi O’Neill, president of consumer and marketplace at Nike, said in a statement. “We remain committed to transforming Nike faster to define the marketplace of the future and unlock the next phase of growth through [consumer direct acceleration].”
Women’s is also a key focus area for Nike, and the retailer noted last year that it would simplify its bras and leggings strategy in the women’s segment. The investment in women’s specific innovation has doubled in the last two to three years, Women’s Research Director Bridget Munro said in May last year, and the category is “accelerating and outpacing any other investment in innovation” at Nike.
