The Nike InfinityRN 4 launched last week with a breakthrough technology: Nike ReactX foam. ReactX gives runners more energy return — about 13% — than Nike React Foam while leaving a much lower carbon footprint — 43% to be exact. Sounds simple enough, right? Except that the chemistry required to make those two things exist simultaneously is really complicated, requiring a dream team of chemists, scientists, engineers and cushioning experts. That dream team was a real-life roster for Golnaz Armin, Nike VP, Footwear, Material Innovation. Armin’s team worked for the better part of five years to reconcile traits that are seemingly at odds: performance and sustainability. She says she loves how the entire team was compelled by the setbacks of the design process, not turned off by them. An issue in a prototype just meant that a better solution was around the corner. The mutual determination shared by a team of brilliant, like-minded people is one reason why ReactX is a success story. “I’m at Nike because of the people,” says Armin. “They’re the best at what they do, the best in their fields. All of the challenges we faced along the way could’ve stopped us from moving forward, but our team's resilience and expertise carried us through." Learn more about how Nike is protecting the future of sport.
Shawn Harvey, Assistant Head Coach at the NIKE Factory Store in Orange, CA, prides himself on being a “jack of all trades,” ensuring everything at the store – from logistics and merchandising to customer experience – runs smoothly. Shawn was looking for ways to grow his career at NIKE when he received an email to join a professional development program that partners NIKE Retail teammates with our Tech and Digital teams. The program’s rationale is simple: Retail insights lead to stronger digital experiences for customers, while new skills and connections help employees grow their professional circle. After completing this professional development program, many participants use their experience to grow in the retail environment or pursue roles elsewhere in the company. “As you gain more responsibility in your job, it’s easy to lose sight of your personal career development,” he says. “NIKE’s professional development programs overall have been pivotal for me in growing as a leader.” Nike’s Firstline teammates have different ways to grow and develop on the job. Programs like Track Stretch Retail, Track Stretch HQ and District Community Championship (to name a few) range from 15 weeks to two years in duration. They focus on skill building and leadership development while exposing participants to different parts of the job and the company.
Recently, the Nike team noticed that the majority of women logging their first workout on the Nike Run Club app were averaging a 13-minute mile. But they weren’t just running at that pace — they were fluctuating between walking, jogging, running, starting and stopping throughout their activity. This observation led to innovation — Nike Motiva, a new shoe designed for running, jogging and walking with more with comfort and ease. “In designing Motiva, we really went after removing distractions, addressing the discomfort that can go along with how you feel both during and after an activity,” says Dr. Emily Farina, Principal Researcher in the Nike Sport Research Lab. “The result is a shoe that can help reduce disruptions in your stride to make moving feel smoother — and, we hope, help you want to come back for more.” Watch how Emily and the Nike team brought Motiva to life, and see more behind-the-scenes looks at our Nike Women’s innovations.
School’s in at NIKE. We’re pumped to welcome the NIKE Intern Class of 2023 to our offices in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Singapore this summer. More than 300 undergraduate and graduate students will join the NIKE Internship Program, working in a variety of business areas across Nike, Jordan and Converse. They’ll build connections with our community, take on meaningful projects, get critical, hands-on professional experience and receive mentorship from managers like Latanya Black-Kanna, MBA, who help them apply their studies to a corporate environment. “The experience of working in large teams and developing connections with teammates outside of their professional focus helps them piece together the bigger puzzle and understand how our business works,” says Black-Kanna, an Engineering Director in Product, Innovation & Consumer Creation. In turn, the interns bring their unique skills to help NIKE to serve athletes and create the future of sport. Teammates like Black are eager to mentor this standout group of students who represent our next generation of leaders. “Their ability to bring a new mindset, skills and ways of thinking is so enlightening for our teams,” she says. “They really are evolving and advancing technology to move us forward.” To the Class of 2023: Welcome to NIKE! We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make.
Welcome to Swoosh Stories, your curated mix of news and moments that show how Nike moves the world forward through sport, and why it's a great place to work. This month, we're highlighting breakthrough Nike products, innovations, services and experiences designed specifically for women and girls. Our ambition is to be their biggest champion, and help make them feel seen and included. Because we know, by listening to what women and girls need, we help serve everyone.
Dreaming up new expressions of sport, new ways of connecting, new WORLDS — that’s part of the job at Nike, and what inspired Bryon Panaia, Global Senior Creative Director, Brand Experience + Innovation, to pitch the idea for “Airphoria,” Nike’s new, immersive gaming experience in Fortnite. Airphoria enables players and their friends to explore a meticulously crafted Air Max–themed universe, allowing them to engage with Air Max sneakers in new, captivating ways as they embark on the ultimate sneaker hunt. “Nike’s commitment is to innovate for the future of sport and gaming experiences at the intersection of play and culture, and with this collaboration, we’ve taken our love of craft, of being makers, and we’ve applied it to storytelling,” says Panaia, noting that the partnership with Epic Games helped make the moment happen. “The teams have grown super close, we’re talking every day, all day; it’s really a shared passion. We’ve pushed each other to make the best possible experience.”
Our mission it to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. We champion continual progress for athletes and sport by taking action to help athletes reach their potential. Every job at NIKE, Inc. is grounded in a team-first mindset, cultivating a culture of innovation and a shared purpose to leave an enduring impact. You can catch up on Nike news, read the latest company stories, and learn more about our mission and impact on about.nike.com. #NikeCareers #LifeAtNike *If you have a body, you are an athlete
Offering employees the best workspaces and work experiences is a NIKE, Inc. passion — and you could feel that energy in Greater China today with the opening of the Yi Jianlian Building (YJB). Named after standout Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian, the YJB Building is nine floors, 15,000 square meters, and 100 percent immersive in sport culture. It is also LEED Gold certified with innovative features — wellness lounges, massage chairs, nap pods, fueling stations — that consider employee health and nutrition and overall sustainability and accessibility. On hand to inaugurate the building with Greater China employees was its namesake, Yi Jianlian, John Donahoe, President and CEO of NIKE, Inc., Angela Dong, VP/GM of Nike Greater China, and Craig Williams, President, Geographies & Marketplace, NIKE, Inc. Designed to pay tribute to Yi's dedication and inspiration for Chinese basketball, the YJL Building also showcases Nike's commitment and determination to support China's sports industry and its Greater China teammates.
