John Donahoe

John Donahoe (born April 30, 1960, in Evanston, Illinois) is an American executive who served as CEO of Nike from January 2020 to October 2024, guiding the company through rapid digital transformation, global challenges, and a period of profound organizational change.

Early Life and Education

Donahoe graduated from New Trier High School (Winnetka, Illinois) in 1978, earned a degree in economics from Dartmouth College, and received his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Career Background

Donahoe began his career at Bain & Company, where he spent 20 years and became CEO in 1999. He later led eBay as President of Marketplaces (2005–2008) and CEO (2008–2015), driving acquisitions of StubHub and Shopping.com. In 2017, he became President and CEO of ServiceNow. He also served as board chairman for PayPal and was on the Dartmouth College Board of Trustees (2003–2012).

Leadership at Nike

In October 2019, Donahoe was appointed as CEO of Nike, succeeding Mark Parker on January 13, 2020. Upon taking office, Donahoe focused on connecting with global teams—visiting offices in China, Japan, and Nike’s headquarters in Oregon—and began implementing a digital-first and direct-to-consumer strategy.

Initiatives and Achievements at Nike

Under Donahoe’s leadership, Nike achieved:

• 46% share increase between 2020 and late 2021, adding over $75 billion in market value, with per-share peaks at $177 in late 2021.
• Record revenues of over $50 billion in 2024 alongside the expansion of digital and direct sales.
• Implementation of the Consumer Direct Acceleration strategy—digital sales in North America rose 40% in several quarters, while direct sales accounted for nearly 48% of the marketplace.
• Management during the COVID-19 pandemic included closing stores early, maintaining pay continuity, and supporting communities through donations and supplies. 
• Commitment to social justice, including $40 million to Black communities.
• Acquisition of digital company RTFKT for expansion into NFTs and digital experiences.
• Exit from the Russian market and supply chain restructurings in 2022, responding to global events.

Challenges and Strategic Changes

Despite successes, Donahoe faced critiques:

• Loss of institutional knowledge from a talent exodus, and dissatisfaction among some employee groups.
  Layoffs impacted over 700 employees in Oregon (2020), a move that drew criticism.
• A shift away from wholesale and retail partnerships toward direct sales which had mixed results in the evolving apparel market.
• In late 2024, Nike’s stock dropped, and sales forecasts were weak; the board responded by announcing Donahoe’s departure, followed by the appointment of Elliott Hill as CEO in October 2024.

Legacy and Vision

John Donahoe redefined Nike’s operating model for the digital age, drove revenue and market cap growth, deepened the brand’s commitments to diversity and social justice, and weathered multiple global crises. His legacy is mixed, marked by digital acceleration and strategic misteps (eg, neglecting innovative programs).

Milestones and Achievements