Chief Innovation Officer, Nike
John Hoke: Biography at a Glance
- As Nike’s first Chief Design Officer and later Chief Innovation Officer, John Hoke led global teams of over 1,000 designers and drove innovation across product, brand, and sustainability.
- Hoke spearheaded boundary-breaking partnerships with visionary creatives and brands including Virgil Abloh, Travis Scott, Tom Sachs, and Louis Vuitton, proving the power of collaboration as a business strategy.
- Over three decades at Nike, he consistently transformed bold ideas into market-leading products, while mentoring teams and shaping the company’s creative culture from the inside out.
- A driving force behind Nike’s “Move to Zero” campaign, Hoke integrated circular design principles and pioneered materials like Space Hippie yarn and recycled Olympic apparel, aligning innovation with environmental responsibility.
- With advanced degrees in both architecture and business, he brings a rare fusion of creative vision and executive strategy to discussions about leadership and innovation.
Videos
Biography
John Hoke grew up near Providence, Rhode Island, and was diagnosed with dyslexia early in life. He turned this “learning difference” into a creative advantage, describing drawing as his first language. He received a B.Arch from Penn State (1988), M.Arch from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Stanford.
Hoke joined Nike in 1992 as a senior designer in environmental design after working under architect Michael Graves. Early major projects include the Nike Pavilion at the 1996 Olympics and the pioneering NikeTown store in New York. In 2002, he was appointed global creative director for footwear design.
He maintained a 20 year design partnership with Serena Williams, overseeing apparel and even workspace design (e.g., the Serena Williams Building at HQ) and drove collaborations with high profile creatives and brands such as Virgil Abloh, Travis Scott, Tom Sachs, Jacquemus, Comme des Garçons, and Louis Vuitton.
Hoke is known for advocating for sustainable and circular design (“Move to Zero”), promoting reuse and carbon reduction. Under his leadership, Nike rolled out materials like Space Hippie recycled yarn and recycled poly Olympic singlets.
Serving as Nike’s first Chief Design Officer from 2017 to 2023, Hoke led over 1,000 designers globally. He was later elevated to Chief Innovation Officer in November 2023 and held this position until announcing his retirement in 2025.
Hoke lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and three sons.
Topics
Designing the Future: How Innovation for the Planet Fuels Business Growth
In this forward-thinking keynote, John Hoke, Nike’s former Chief Innovation Officer, shares how sustainability and profitability are powerful allies. Drawing from decades of experience leading global design and innovation at Nike, including spearheading the “Move to Zero” initiative, he reveals how bold climate-conscious strategies can drive creativity, unlock new markets, and deepen consumer loyalty. From developing game-changing recycled materials to building purpose-driven brand collaborations, he unpacks the business case for designing with the planet in mind and why companies that lead on climate will also lead in culture. Audiences will walk away inspired and equipped to embed sustainability into their innovation playbook without sacrificing growth.
Leading with Vision: What It Takes to Innovate Inside a Global Giant
What does it take to push boundaries and lead bold innovation inside one of the world’s most iconic brands? In this keynote, John Hoke, Nike’s former Chief Design and Innovation Officer, shares hard-earned lessons from over 30 years of transforming creative ideas into global impact. From launching disruptive retail experiences and high-profile collaborations to reimagining sustainability at scale, he offers an inside look at how to build a culture of experimentation, earn trust in legacy organizations, and lead with both creativity and discipline. Perfect for companies seeking to stay ahead of the curve, this talk provides a roadmap for turning big ideas into business breakthroughs without losing sight of purpose.
