Nike brings back Dan McKenzie as CAO

Nike has appointed Dan McKenzie as vice president, chief accounting officer, Finance Operations & Transformation, and principal accounting officer, effective November 9, 2026. The decision brings back a 19‑year company veteran who retired from Nike in July 2026. The role covers oversight of accounting and finance operations at the Beaverton, Oregon-based sports apparel company.

McKenzie, 55, previously held a series of senior finance roles at Nike, most recently serving as vice president and chief financial officer for Global Operations and Technology from August 2025 to July 2026. His earlier positions included vice president, chief financial officer for North America and for EMEA, reflecting broad regional and operational experience within the organization.

The appointment of McKenzie forms part of a wider leadership transition in Nike’s finance organization. On November 9, 2026, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Denton ceased serving as interim corporate controller and principal accounting officer. With McKenzie’s arrival, the principal accounting officer responsibilities move from an interim arrangement back to a dedicated executive role.

Nike had previously recruited Denton as its chief financial officer, and his interim responsibilities as corporate controller and principal accounting officer conclude with this latest appointment. The change marks another step in reshaping the senior finance structure following earlier shifts in the CFO position.

Under an offer letter dated November 4, 2026, McKenzie will receive an annual base salary of $500,000. He is eligible for a target annual bonus equal to 50% of his eligible fiscal year earnings and an annual target long-term incentive award of $525,000. He will generally be able to participate in Nike’s standard corporate benefit plans and programs for executives at his level.

McKenzie has entered into a restrictive covenant agreement that includes a 12‑month noncompete provision following termination of employment. If Nike terminates his employment without cause, the company will make monthly payments during the noncompetition period equal to one‑twelfth of his current annual base salary. If he resigns voluntarily, the monthly payments during the noncompetition period will equal one‑twenty‑fourth of his current annual base salary, and Nike may waive the noncompete for any portion of the period, in which case payments for the waived months would not be required.

McKenzie retired from Nike in July 2026 and did not hold any other job during the interim period before his return. His reappointment reflects Nike’s use of seasoned former executives to provide continuity in key leadership roles. In his new capacity, he succeeds Johanna Nielson, who resigned from her position as chief accounting officer and controller in September 2026.