As exemplified by Henning, there is a clear through line between what makes a great athlete and what makes a great employee, but all too often female athletes struggle with the transition from court to career.
Easing that transition is the impetus for Women in Nike (WIN). A partnership with the WNBA, the two-year program, launched in 2019, is designed to provide relevant and dynamic work experience for retired or retiring WNBA players — and to help build the next generation of talent at Nike.
“The WIN program is one of the critical programs leading to a more diverse, equitable and inclusive Nike,” says Henning. “We know that Nike’s future success is rooted in the strength of our diverse, inclusive and equitable teams. Hiring talented professional female athletes provides us with a distinct competitive advantage, and we are industry leaders in this space.”
The first cohort of 11 WIN fellows began the program in April 2019, working across various business disciplines at Nike, while also receiving a robust professional development curriculum, dedicated mentors and educational opportunities to support them along the way.
