Elliott Hill, Nike’s new CEO, started as an intern three decades ago

On Thursday, Nike’s stock soared after the news that Hill would replace current CEO John Donahoe, who will step down next month. Hill is a familiar face, spending basically his entire career at the sports-retail company.

Aside from board or advisor positions, Hill’s only non-Nike role was with the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant athletic trainer in the ‘80s. Since then, his career has followed the traditional stereotype of climbing the corporate ladder. 

Hill began his storied stint at Nike back in 1988 as an apparel sales representative intern, according to his LinkedIn. After spending two years in said entry-level role, Hill continued down the sales path, moving from a sports graphic sales position to sales representative and then sales manager. Just over a decade later, Hill was taking on vice president positions.

Indeed, Hill’s LinkedIn looks a bit unconventional as a large portion of it is just bulleted lists of Nike roles. Having spent 32 years at one company, his resume represents the once traditional career trajectory that has since waned in popularity during a tight labor market.

Nike’s new CEO may have the best LinkedIn profile ever — 32 years with the same company, from intern to CEO! pic.twitter.com/jC431SCnW6

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 20, 2024

At one point, staying at one company for most of your life and working your way up from the mailroom or intern’s role to become a manager or leader was considered less out of the norm. But that’s changing. Employees, especially younger generations, have taken to job hopping to bargain for livable wages or better salaries, promotions, or values that match their interests more. 

In other words, the corporate ladder is different than it once was—and to scale it at the same pace, at times, requires quitting. Waning loyalty is a sign of the contract being broken on the employer’s side, as workers are taking note of companies issuing layoffs during downturn, no longer offering pensions like they did decades ago, or simply letting careers stagnate.

To be fair, some companies invest enough in their workers to have veterans like Hill. But it is becoming increasingly rare. 

Nike emphasized Hill’s insider status as core to their revamp, after struggling and reporting poor sales. Calling Hill’s homecoming part of a “thoughtful succession process,” Nike executive chairman Mark Parker said in a statement that he has worked with Hill for “more than 30 years.”

For his part, Hill wrote in a statement that Nike “has always been a core part of who I am.”

“I’m eager to reconnect with the many employees and trusted partners I’ve worked with over the years, and just as excited to build new, impactful relationships that will move us ahead,” he added, noting that he worked at the company for 32 years “helping to shape our company into the magical place it is today.”