DJ Nike Improves Diversity Within Leadership Team -- ESG Insight
Commentary by Gonçalo Lousada, research analyst, ESG & impact investing
Nike announced the replacement of its first-ever chief diversity officer Kellie Leonard--nominated in 2018--with a former diversity chief of Tesla, Felicia Mayo. Adding a Black woman to its leadership team sends positive signals at the gender and ethnic diversity level to socially concerned investors. With Mayo's nomination, Nike materializes its public commitment to work to end racial inequality, made by several companies following the killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests. The company had also pledged $40 million over the next four years to support U.S. organizations tackling racial inequality. Former U.S. basketball player Michael Jordan and Nike subsidiary Jordan Brand have extended this pledge, promising to donate $100 million over the next 10 years for social justice initiatives.
Write to Gonçalo Lousada at goncalo.lousada@dowjones.com
ESG Insights are written by The Wall Street Journal's ESG research analysts, whose commentary is independent of the news coverage by reporters at the Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 28, 2020 06:15 ET (10:15 GMT)
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