Commencement Address

2009 Commencement Address (link to PDF)

Mark G. Parker
President & Chief Executive Officer, NIKE, Inc.

mark Parker Cropped

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Nike Inc., Mark Parker brings 30 years of extensive Nike experience to the job across a broad range of leadership roles, from product design and development, to marketing and brand management. Joining the company in 1979 as a designer, Mark has been involved in many of the company's most significant product breakthroughs. He is widely recognized as the product visionary for the Nike Air franchise, as well as many other industry-leading product design and performance innovations. Prior to leading the Nike brand during a period of strong growth and financial performance, Mark successfully ran the company's multibillion dollar footwear and apparel businesses.

In addition to helping lead the continued growth of the Nike brand, as CEO Mark also is responsible for the growth of Nike Inc.'s global business portfolio, which includes Converse, Cole Haan, Hurley International and UMBRO. Mark also is focused on continuing to develop leadership talent in the company to support Nike's long-term growth.

He enjoys traveling and being active with his family and an array of non-competitive sports including running, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and sailing. He also enjoys sketching, drawing, painting and collecting art.