Nike has appointed Sarah Mensah as President of Jordan Brand. The new title makes Mensah a history maker. She will be the company’s first woman to serve in this role and the first Black woman to become Jordan Brand president.
Making History At Nike
Being a history maker is not new to the executive. Just two years ago, she became the the first Black woman vice president at Nike North America. She will be taking over the position from Craig Williams, who will now lead Geographies & Marketplace at Nike.
Mensah’s tenure at Nike is very extensive, starting all the way back in 2013. She spent five years with Jordan Brand before taking on the role of VP at Nike. In 2018, Mensah became the vice president of the brand’s Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. In her last position, she oversaw Nike’s North America region.
A Push For Diversity
Mensah says she appreciates Nike’s attempts at diversity and putting women at the forefront.
“It’s important to me personally and to our athletes, our employees, our consumers. We talk a lot about listening to them, and the best way to listen is to reflect them,” Mensah said in a 2021 Footwear News interview. “I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility because Nike means so much to the Black community. To be the first Black woman leading this geography is an incredible mandate.”
Overall, Mensah says working with the Jordan brand has been a rewarding experience for her.
“I had the opportunity to sit at the table with Michael Jordan himself,” Mensah said. “I was able to learn and draft off of his example. I understood that all success requires us to stretch and push beyond our comfort zones. The intensity and inspiration of being challenged to achieve something more by the GOAT himself stays with me to this day.”