5 more Nike execs out amid harassment probe

A sweeping investigation into workplace behavior at Nike has resulted in the departures of five more top-level executives, raising to 11 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 most important business categories and high-profile departments at the world’s largest sports footwear and apparel company.

Nike confirmed Tuesday that five managers are leaving: Steve Lesnard, the head of running in North America; Helen Kim, who oversaw Eastern North America; Simon Pestridge, a head of marketing for the company’s performance categories; Tommy Kain, Nike’s director of sports marketing; and Ibrahem Hasan, a senior creative director who former employees said had been involved with marketing campaigns with British female singer FKA Twigs.

None of the five responded immediately to requests for comment.

In an address last week, Nike CEO Mark Parker apologized to employees and said that departures related to the company’s broad investigation into workplace behavior would be completed by this week.

Six executives had already left the company or said they would leave in connection with the inquiry. That group included Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike brand and a potential successor to Parker; and Jayme Martin, who oversaw many of Nike’s global businesses. Nike’s head of diversity and inclusion and a head of footwear were among the other managers to part ways with the company.

Those departures came after a group of female Nike employees began an informal survey that sought input on sexual harassment and discrimination against women. The survey was presented to Parker on March 5. Ten days later, the executive shake-up began with the announcement that Edwards was resigning.

The latest departures may provide more reassurance to employees seeking signs that Parker is trying to address the workplace problems that have plagued the company. In his address to employees, Parker said that Nike is taking steps to become a more collaborative workplace, and would be more open about efforts to improve the diversity of its work force and its progress toward meeting equal pay goals.

But the exodus of so many top executives could also heighten scrutiny of Parker, who worked closely with many of those who are leaving. Nike’s board of directors has not made any comments on the management overhaul.

The turmoil could and prompt questions on Wall Street about whether Nike will have the leaders it needs in place to execute its aggressive business strategy.

Parker, who has been CEO since 2006, has set a goal of increasing Nike’s revenue from around $36 billion to $50 billion by 2022.