The Profile: The man tasked with fixing Nike & the non-alcoholic beer company making sobriety cool

This edition of The Profile features Elliott Hill, Norman Foster, Adrian Wojnarowski, and others.

Good morning, friends!

Today’s one of those days where I thought it was Saturday instead of Sunday. My sincere apologies for the delay in sending The Profile. I have been working on some big things that I’ll share with you soon, and I am eternally grateful that you’ve been with me for the last eight years.

I hope you enjoy the profiles below!

— Polina

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PROFILES.

— The man tasked with fixing Nike [**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**]
— The architect building landmarks for the ultra-wealthy
— The ESPN reporter who took a 99% pay cut
— The non-alcoholic beer company making sobriety cool
— OpenAI’s secret weapon

PEOPLE TO KNOW.

The man tasked with fixing Nike: Elliott Hill, Nike's new CEO, has returned to lead the company after decades of dedication, starting as a sales associate and rising through the ranks. Faced with declining sales, a tarnished brand image, and a shift away from its core culture, Hill aims to refocus Nike on performance innovation, athlete-centered storytelling, and restoring relationships with retailers. With plans for groundbreaking products and a commitment to reestablishing Nike’s cultural relevance, Hill seeks to guide the company out of its struggles and into a new era of growth. (FORTUNE; Complimentary link provided)

“I’m a huge fan of Elliott. He’s exactly the right person to guide Nike right now.”

The architect building landmarks for the ultra-wealthy: Norman Foster, the legendary British architect, has spent seven decades redefining modern design with iconic projects like Apple Park, the Reichstag dome, and Hearst Tower. His work blends cutting-edge innovation with functionality, creating spaces that are both stunning and practical. Foster has turned his practice into a global powerhouse. Now at nearly 90, he’s still leading ambitious ventures like Hyundai’s new Seoul headquarters while championing sustainability and pushing the boundaries of architecture. Here’s why his vision continues to inspire. (The New Yorker)

“Quality is an attitude of mind.”

The ESPN reporter who took a 99% pay cut: Adrian Wojnarowski, a former ESPN reporter renowned for breaking NBA news, left his lucrative career making $7.3 million a year to become the general manager of St. Bonaventure's basketball team, his alma mater. Despite taking a 99% pay cut, Wojnarowski leverages his extensive network and expertise to navigate the challenges of NIL (name, image, likeness) payments, which have transformed college recruiting into a financial competition. Here’s how Wojnarowski's unconventional approach is redefining the general manager role in college sports. (The New York Times; alternate link)

“There’s only so many hours a day to figure out this whole new element,”

COMPANIES TO WATCH.

The non-alcoholic beer company making sobriety cool: Athletic Brewing has revolutionized the nonalcoholic beer market by creating flavorful, craft-style beers that appeal to a wide audience, including those who still consume alcohol. Since its launch in 2018, the company has grown to command a fifth of the U.S. nonalcoholic beer market, raising over $220 million and reaching a valuation of $800 million. Here’s how Athletic Brewing aims to redefine adult beverages and normalize nonalcoholic beer as a compelling, stigma-free choice. (Bloomberg; alternate link)

“I’ve talked to many people who, once they started drinking nonalcoholic beer, don’t even like the taste of beer with alcohol anymore.”

OpenAI’s secret weapon: Clay, a New York-based startup, pivoted from a broad no-code app builder to a focused sales and growth optimization platform, leveraging AI to help businesses manage go-to-market strategies. This shift drove explosive growth — securing $30 million in 2024 revenue, $40 million in new funding, and a $1.25 billion valuation. Here’s why it has taken off after years of finding its footing. (Forbes; alternate link)

“They have one of the most practical and exciting applications of AI.”

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