Succeeds Donna DeBerry who plans to resume private diversity consulting
BEAVERTON, Ore. (15 November, 2006) – NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today announced that Gina Warren has been appointed by CEO Mark Parker as the new Vice President of Diversity. The announcement follows the resignation of Donna DeBerry, who joined Nike in mid-September but has informed the company that for personal reasons she was unable to relocate with her family to Portland and will resume her consultant business in diversity.
Warren, a seven-year Nike veteran, will assume the role of further integrating diversity into Nike's global business strategies and employer of choice practices. The senior level corporate leadership position underscores Nike's strong belief that diversity creates competitive advantage, both in attracting, developing and leveraging diverse talent inside the company as well as in building strong brand relationships with diverse consumers worldwide.
“We wish Donna well. While the leadership may change, our commitment to diversity has not,” said Parker. “Diversity is a competitive advantage and growth opportunity for us. Gina has already made several significant contributions towards building more inclusive work environments at Nike that foster diverse ideas, nurture people with varied talent and backgrounds, and create strong relationships with diverse communities.”
Warren has led the Office of Global Diversity since 2002. Under her leadership, Nike conducted its inaugural global Cultural Assessments, which have helped Nike examine its workplace culture, and informed the company on how to better optimize the talents of all employees. Warren organized Nike's first two women's leadership conferences and helped establish the Global Women's Leadership Council.
“I'm truly honored to accept this elevated responsibility within Nike that already has such strong connections to diverse consumers, athletes and communities around the world,” Warren said. “I look forward to further innovating strategies with my colleagues to increase our connection to an evolving, diverse consumer base.”
From 1999 to 2002, Warren served as director of Nike Global Community Affairs and the Nike Foundation. Prior to joining Nike, Warren directed community relations for Levi Strauss and Co. and its foundation, and worked for AT&T and its foundation in community relations, human resources and other capacities. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Arizona State University.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; NIKE Bauer Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, a leading designer and marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.