Nike, Inc. has appointed Kizmet Mills as its new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, effective 11th November, marking the fifth DEI leadership change since 2020. Mills, who has been with Nike since 2016, previously served as Senior Director of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her background includes experience at the Coca-Cola Company, where she was responsible for global university relations and recruiting programs.
Mills will succeed James Loduca, who recently announced his departure from Nike, citing family reasons. Loduca held the DEI role for about 18 months, following Jarvis Sam, who left in November 2022 after a brief tenure. Before Sam, Felicia Mayo served in the combined role of Chief Talent, Diversity, and Culture Officer, which she held for two years, succeeding Kellie Leonard, Nike’s inaugural DEI head, appointed in 2018.
In a statement, Nike highlighted its commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, noting Mills’ strong leadership and extensive experience. “Our goal at Nike is to be leaders in creating a strong sense of belonging, and we think that our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team’s efforts are essential to achieving this goal,” Nike stated.
The DEI leadership change follows the recent appointment of Elliott Hill as Nike’s new CEO, replacing John Donahoe.
