06 North America Supply Chain Talk

April 15, 2025 - On a beautiful Oregon morning, five busloads of Nike’s North America Marketplace Supply Chain team, comprising 225 employees led by Murali Kandasamy, embarked on a journey southward to Eugene. This was more than a corporate outing—it was a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Nike, a chance to walk in the footsteps of legends such as Bill Bowerman, Phil Knight, and Steve Prefontaine, and reconnect with our company’s storied heritage.

Reconnecting With Nike’s Roots

The group’s day in Eugene was meticulously planned, supported by a mix of current and retired Nike employees. However, the experience was anything but scripted. The agenda promised more than history lessons; it offered immersion. From the Bowerman Lab—where Bill and his team problem solved—to the hallowed grounds of Hayward Field where the world’s greatest athletes still compete, to the somber memorial at Pre’s Rock, and to today’s modern Nike store. Each stop was a living chapter in Nike’s origin story.

Storytellers on each bus set the tone, sharing tales of Bill Bowerman’s relentless problem-solving, Phil Knight’s entrepreneurial leap, and Steve Prefontaine’s rebellious drive. Attendees learned how Bowerman’s experiments and Knight’s post-grad hustle selling Japanese shoes led to a partnership that could only have been forged in Oregon. The University of Oregon’s deep ties to Nike’s founders came alive through anecdotes and artifacts, making the company’s beginnings feel immediate and real.

What the Team Hoped to Find

Before the tour, many participants—some with decades at Nike, others relatively new—shared what they hoped to gain.

They wanted inspiration from Bowerman’s Lab, to see firsthand the places and people behind the stories, and to understand how Nike’s team-first mentality took root. Canadian employees were especially eager to soak up the culture and bring it home. Across the board, there was a desire to reconnect with Nike’s essence: innovation, teamwork, and a relentless drive to serve athletes.

What They Took Away

The day delivered—and then some. Participants left feeling motivated and reassured about Nike’s future, even amid today’s volatile business climate. They drew lessons from the company’s founders: when faced with barriers, find a way around; when times are tough, lean on your team. One story about Bowerman’s son Tom, underscored that Nike’s innovation grew from a simple urge to solve problems, at times resulting in a breakthrough innovation.

Perhaps most striking was the realization of Nike’s true core. Small group discussions distilled it: Nike is a running and track company at heart, serving athletes and authenticating its influence through sport. The company’s DNA is innovation, community, and a refusal to settle for the status quo. Employees saw themselves as part of a global force in sports and fitness, and as stewards of a culture where personal stories and relationships matter deeply.

Lasting Impact

The trip wasn’t just about looking back—it was about using the past to fuel the future. Employees returned to Beaverton with a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie, inspired to bring innovation and teamwork into their daily work. They were reminded that Nike is more than a brand; it’s a community, a set of values, and a living legacy. As one participant summed it up: “Nike is not just a company, it is bigger than what is right in front of us. Seeing how Nike came to be, is MAGICAL!”