Nike Taps 14-Year Walmart Veteran as Chief Commercial Officer, Reviving Role It Cut 9 Months Ago

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8.29.2026

Quick Facts

Nike named Jane Ewing, a 14-year Walmart veteran, as executive vice president and chief commercial officer, effective September 7, 2026.
The role was eliminated in December 2025 as part of CEO Elliott Hill’s “Win Now” restructuring, then revived 9 months later.
Nike’s full-year FY2026 revenues were $46.4 billion, flat year-over-year, with Nike Direct down 6% and wholesale up 6%.

Nike has named Jane Ewing as executive vice president and chief commercial officer, the company announced August 27. Ewing starts September 7, filling a position Nike cut less than a year ago.

Ewing spent nearly 14 years at Walmart, most recently serving as interim CEO of Sam’s Club China, where she oversaw a multi-billion dollar membership business across 30 cities. Before that, she held roles in international operations, digital acceleration, and sustainability at the retailer. Prior to Walmart, she led a major global division at Diageo PLC.

In her new role, Ewing will lead Nike’s global marketplace, covering both wholesale and Nike Direct. Vice President of Global Sales Erica Bullard, Vice President of Nike Direct Shannon Glass, and Vice President of Geographies and Marketplace Analytics Gail Cornelius will all report to her.

CEO Elliott Hill announced the hire in a memo to employees. “Jane’s experience, leadership and global perspective will help us continue this work and accelerate growth across Nike Direct and wholesale,” Hill wrote. He described Ewing as a builder with international expertise and deep connections to athletics.

The appointment is notable given the role’s history. Nike eliminated the chief commercial officer position in December 2025 as part of a broader restructuring Hill called the “Win Now” strategy. At that time, Craig Williams, who had held the CCO title, departed the company. Global sales and Nike Direct then reported to CFO Matt Friend.

Now Nike has a new CFO as well. David Denton joined earlier in August, replacing Friend, who spent more than 15 years at Nike.

The leadership shake-up comes as Nike faces significant financial pressure. Full-year FY2026 revenues hit $46.4 billion, flat on a reported basis and down 2% on a currency-neutral basis. The split between channels tells a sharper story: Nike Brand wholesale rose 6% to $27.45 billion as retail partners restocked shelves, while Nike Direct fell 6% to $17.72 billion and Nike’s digital business dropped 12%.

Nike’s China business compounded the difficulty. The Greater China segment has posted declining revenues for eight consecutive quarters. Annual China revenue has fallen 30% since 2021 and recently hit its lowest level in eight years.

Nike shares closed at $38.59 before the announcement, a 12-year low. The stock has lost 38% of its value through August 26, 2026. Analysts hold a consensus rating of Hold with a mean price target of $50.05.

Ewing’s mandate is clear. She must close the gap between a recovering wholesale business and a struggling direct channel while rebuilding Nike’s digital presence. Her background running a large-scale membership retail operation in China could prove relevant as Nike tries to stabilize that market.

Hill framed the hire as a core piece of Nike’s recovery. “This is an important part of our comeback,” he wrote, citing the need to create a more connected marketplace, strengthen partner relationships, and unlock new growth opportunities globally.