There Is No Finish Line Podcast Jesse Canright and John Paik

Nancy MonsarratFounding Member

Oregon Sports Angels

---Former Nike Vice President and US Advertising Director
Pat Hellberg
Principal
Pat The Wine Guy---Former Nike Director
Nike Brand Studios




Nancy Monsarrat and Pat Hellberg joined Nike at roughly the same time in the late 80s. The Swoosh was on the upswing, and they quickly felt the amazing power of a brand that spoke to human potential. Nancy and Pat recount their journey to Nike, speak to the energy of the company at that time, and share the lessons they learned along the way. Between them, they contributed an incredible body of Nike work in advertising, marketing, and design, but for us and so many of our guests, their mentorship is what will be their lasting legacy.
Oregon Sports Angels
PERIOD.
Pat The Wine Guy

Ellen Schmidt-Devlin
Executive Director
Lundquist College of Business
Portland Programs
University of Oregon




When Ellen Schmidt-Devlin chose the University of Oregon for her collegiate track and field career, little did she know that Bill Bowerman would personally send her on a 25-year career at Nike. She had no clue that she would become a tester of his prototypes, help expand his product testing program, move to Exeter, New Hampshire, and eventually move around the world to support the growth of a fledgling company that was taking flight. That path of becoming a Duck would take her to places she never imagined. Later in her career she would provide her alma mater with a plan for a graduate program that would help a new generation of students learn what she did at Nike.
University of Oregon Sports Product Management Program

Kyna Williams
Chief Marketing and Operating Officer
Revel Real Estate




Kyna Williams brought her tenacity and work ethic from her background as a collegiate runner to her experience as leader within the Brand Marketing organization at Nike. Her knowledge of the sport and her understanding of the athlete’s mindset brought a much-needed refresh to how the category spoke to the consumer and reinvigorated their grassroots approach to running. Her insatiable desire for knowledge and understanding new innovative ways of marketing led her to mentors within the company that helped build her ethos and approach for how to empathetically lead others. In an effort to refocus on the needs and well-being of their family, a new adventure in Montana began, and Kyna’s role in leading Revel Real Estate has brought her a whole new perspective on the importance of finding happiness in whatever you do.
Revel Real Estate

Craig Lyon
Vice-President, Head of Marketing Connected Cannabis




Craig Lyon learned the importance of storytelling early in his high school experience through play-by-play broadcasting, and it carried through to his major in Telecommunications at Indiana University. As an intern starting out at Nike, he quickly learned the importance of putting in the time to absorb the category and how they were speaking to their consumer. This strong work ethic led to a lengthy career within Nike Basketball Brand Marketing, culminating in a role as Senior Director of Marketing for North America. Craig has begun a new chapter of his career at Connected Cannabis, where he will bring his exceptional strengths as a storyteller and brand marketer to an upstart brand in a rapidly growing industry.
Connected Cannabis

Aric Rist
Creative Director
Groundworks Industries



Aric Rist followed his gut and the map on the Nike shoebox to relocate from the east coast to Portland, OR. A contract position evolved into a full-time Nike role responsible for supporting production at the burgeoning Brand Photography studio. Following the Nike Maxim, “Do The Right Thing”, Aric’s leadership and vision grew the capabilities of the team and created groundbreaking work in partnership with ambitious creative teams and powerhouse photographers. His experiences at Nike helped prepare him for his new role as Creative Director for Groundworks Industries, where he and his team are blazing new trails in a wide-open landscape with unlimited possibilities.
Groundworks Industries

Dick Oldfield
Retired Category Footwear Leader Nike, Inc.



There is a maxim at Nike:
“Listen to the voice of the athlete”
In a company founded by athletes, Dick Oldfield follows in the footsteps of many that brought his own experience as an elite runner to his role in footwear development. His competitive insights helped inform foundational Nike footwear like the Air Max and iconic executions like Michael Johnson’s gold shoe. Newly retired, Dick reflects with us on his 36 years with the Swoosh and imparts some wisdom to those who are just getting started.
Dick Oldfield