As part of Nike’s commitment to listening to the voice of the athlete, the company has gathered and learned from a group of elite women athletes from around the world as part of its Athlete Think Tank.
For the first time, the latest Athlete Think Tank group also includes coaches from across the highest levels of sport, reflecting a key insight from prior Athlete Think Tank cohorts—”to champion athletes, you must also champion coaches, listen to their ideas and meet their unique needs.”
The third Athlete Think Tank includes athletes Alex Morgan, Alice Dearing, Kiki Rice, Laurie Hernandez, Nelly Korda, Oksana Masters, Romane Dicko, Sky Brown, Tunde Oyeneyin and Yulimar Rojas, as well as coaches Emma Hayes, Jenny Lang Ping, Dawn Staley, and Diljeet Taylor.
“Alongside incredible athletes, the third Athlete Think Tank cohort includes some of the greatest coaches of our time,” said Tanya Hvizdak, vice president of Nike Global Women’s Sports Marketing. “Creating positive change through sport is done through listening to the voice of the athlete and listening to coaches. I’m excited about the ideas and perspectives they bring and how we can partner to turn those into action.”
Over the past three years, Athlete Think Tank’s athletes and coaches have gathered to share their insights, thoughts and vision for a more “equitable future for sports,” and the relationship has helped “Nike redefine the model of athlete partnership as a two-way commitment that champions candor, deep listening and collaborative problem-solving.” It’s also resulted in new Nike product offerings, services for athletes and support for community organizations that reflect athletes’ passions.
To help break barriers to access and achievement, Nike continues investing in the community organizations that matter to Athlete Think Tank. This year, the brand will donate $1.7 million to nonprofits chosen by collective members. Since Athlete Think Tank’s inception, Nike reported it has invested $4.4 million to community organizations on the program’s behalf.
“Nike’s investment in community and commitment to listening to women athletes signals the depth of the brand’s support for members of the collective as well as women and girls across all levels of sport,” said Emma Hayes, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team coach and a member of the third Athlete Think Tank cohort. “We have an environment where we can change things that are going to make a difference for future generations of athletes and coaches. It’s extremely inspiring and empowering.”
Athlete Think Tank will continue its momentum by forming a fourth cohort of athletes and coaches later in 2024.
Image courtesy Nike
