From Swoosh to Stanford: John Donahoe Lands New Role

after parting ways with , John Donahoe has taken on a new role – this time in a more academic setting. The former Swoosh executive is heading back to Stanford University, where he completed his MBA, and is now stepping in as the school’s next Athletic Director. His first official day is set for September 8.

Donahoe at the Beaverton in late 2019, following the departure of longtime CEO Mark Parker. He brought with him a résumé stacked with leadership roles at major digital companies like and PayPal, experience that seemed aligned with Nike’s push toward e-commerce and digital integration.

During his time at the helm, Nike posted record sales numbers, but his data-first, DTC-heavy approach received mixed reviews from longtime fans and industry watchers. Many felt the Swoosh lost some of its cultural edge and connection with consumers – something Nike had mastered during its earlier heyday.

By late 2024, Nike decided to go in a new direction, tapping seasoned company veteran to take over. Hill’s return from retirement marked a shift back toward storytelling and cultural relevance – two areas where many believed Nike had started to fall behind.

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