Tunde Oyeneyin, Alex Morgan, Others Make the List of Nike's Athlete Think Tank For Third Cohort

Nike's Athlete Think Tank, now in its third year, has expanded to include 10 women athletes and four elite women coaches in its latest cohort. The third cohort features prominent athletes such as Tunde Oyeneyin, Alex Morgan, Alice Dearing, Kiki Rice, Laurie Hernandez, Nelly Korda, Oksana Masters, Romane Dicko, Sky Brown, and Yulimar Rojas. Coaches Emma Hayes, Jenny Lang Ping, Dawn Staley, and Diljeet Taylor have also joined the initiative.

This expansion highlights Nike's dedication to gathering insights from elite women athletes globally as part of its Athlete Think Tank. For the first time, the inclusion of coaches marks a significant development, recognising that supporting athletes also involves championing their coaches, listening to their ideas, and addressing their unique needs.

“Alongside incredible athletes, the third Athlete Think Tank cohort includes some of the greatest coaches of our time,” says Tanya Hvizdak, Vice President, Nike Global Women’s Sports Marketing. “Creating positive change through sport is done through listening to the voice of the athlete and listening to coaches. I’m excited about the ideas and perspectives they bring and how we can partner to turn those into action.” 

Together, over the past three years, Athlete Think Tank’s athletes and coaches have gathered to share their insights, thoughts and vision for a more equitable future of sport. This relationship continues to help Nike redefine the model of athlete partnership as a two-way commitment that champions candor, deep listening and collaborative problem-solving. It’s also resulted in new Nike product offerings, services for athletes and support for community organizations that reflect athletes’ passions.

To help break barriers to access and achievement, Nike is continuing to invest in the community organizations that matter to Athlete Think Tank. This year, the brand will donate $1.7 million to nonprofits chosen by members of the collective.

Funds are being allocated to organizations such as Social Impact Fund, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Make Life Skate Life and Charities Aid Foundation America to help create positive change through sport. Since Athlete Think Tank’s inception, Nike has invested a total of $4.4 million to community organizations on the program’s behalf.

“Nike’s investment in community and commitment to listening to women athletes signals the depth of the brand’s support for members of the collective as well as women and girls across all levels of sport," says Emma Hayes, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team coach and a member of the third Athlete Think Tank cohort. “We have an environment where we can change things that are going to make a difference for future generations of athletes and coaches. It’s extremely inspiring and empowering.”