More Nike executives out as inquiry widens

NEW YORK • An investigation into workplace behaviour at Nike Inc. has resulted in the departure of four more toplevel executives, raising to 10 the number of senior managers to leave the company as it continues to overhaul its upper ranks amid widespread allegations of harassment and discrimination against female employees.

Together, the departing executives oversee some of the highest-profile departments at the world’s largest sports footwear and apparel company.

The four additional people who have either left or will depart soon, Nike confirmed Tuesday, are Steve Lesnard, the head of running in North America; Helen Kim, who oversaw Eastern North America; Simon Pestridge, a head of marketing for the performance categories; and Tommy Kain, Nike’s director of sports marketing.

In a companywide address last week, Mark Parker, Nike’s chief executive, apologized to employees and said that departures related to the company’s broad investigation into workplace behaviour would be completed by this week.

Inside Nike, the new departures may provide more reassurance to employees seeking signs Parker is trying to address the workplace problems that have plagued the company. But for Wall Street, the turmoil could prompt questions about whether Nike will have the leaders it needs to execute its aggressive business strategy.

Six top executives have previously left the company or have said they would leave in connection with the investigation. In March, Nike announced the departures of Trevor Edwards, the president of the Nike brand and a potential successor to Parker; and Jayme Martin, who oversaw many of Nike’s global businesses. Other managers who subsequently left included the head of diversity and inclusion and a head of footwear.

The latest departures come amid speculation more managerial changes are in store at the company’s Beaverton, Ore., campus in the wake of a revolt, led by women, that is shaking up Nike’s executive ranks.

Earlier this year, a group of women at the company began an informal survey on discrimination and sexual harassment at the company. The survey was presented to Parker on March 5 and 10 days later the shake-up began with the announcement that Edwards was resigning.

The moves come a little more than a week after The New York Times, using interviews with more than 50 current and former Nike employees, reported about women’s complaints of being marginalized, harassed and thwarted in their careers at the firm, and about indignities that included humiliating visits to strip clubs and unwanted kisses. Many said when they took grievances to human resources, they seemed to not be taken seriously.