Can a Foot Locker veteran help fix Converse? Kristin Bauer joins Nike Inc. as COO

As Nike Inc. prepares to release its first quarter fiscal 2027 financial results, a new change on the company’s executive board has been announced. Kristin Bauer was appointed as chief operations officer at Converse.

First reported by Bloomberg, Bauer’s hiring was announced through an internal memo signed by Converse CEO Aaron Cain. Bauer will report to Venky Alagirisamy, Nike’s chief operating officer.

“As we continue to evolve the Converse business, we've sharpened our understanding of the areas where the brand has the greatest opportunity to win, including building a leadership team and structure that is aligned to execute against those priorities. We are excited to welcome Kristin as our new Chief Operating Officer and look forward to the leadership and perspective she will bring as we continue to build momentum for the brand. Kristin will start on September 14,” Nike told FashionUnited.

Before Nike, Bauer worked for almost three years as chief supply chain officer at Foot Locker, leaving the company in April. She has also held supply chain and logistics roles at Ulta Beauty and T.J.Maxx.

Steep challenge

Bauer joins the company as Converse faces significant pressure. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, ending February 28, the brand’s revenue had dropped by 35 percent to 264 million dollars.

In response, Nike has attempted several revival strategies to help Converse, including re-entering the professional basketball market and implementing international reorganisations.

Rumours about Nike potentially selling Converse started earlier in 2026, but Nike president and chief executive officer Elliott Hill said he’s not interested in selling the brand during the company’s third quarter earnings call.

“Converse will remain an important part of the Nike, Inc. family, and we are excited about its long-term prospects,” Hill said. “Overall, the work is not finished, but the direction is clear. Our teams are moving with focus and urgency, and our foundation is getting even stronger.”

Converse’s weakness is a significant drag on Nike’s overall results and investor confidence, alongside slumps in Jordan and Nike Sportswear

Last week, Bloomberg reported that Nike Inc. is on pace for its worst year since 1993, when Michael Jordan, the main collaborator of the brand at the time, announced his retirement. On August 28, Nike stock closed at $38.59 on Wednesday, a 12-year low.

Nike Inc. will release its first quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on October 1.