Ali Draudt - Nike VP, Athlete Future Lab

Ali Draudt - Nike VP, Athlete Future Lab

In this episode, we go off-script with Ali Draudt, Nike’s VP of the Athlete Future Lab, for a high-speed look at how to build for a world that doesn't exist yet. Ali moves past her background in strategic foresight to explain how she designs "future-ready" teams by embracing unbounded thinking and systemic curiosity. From her transition from Capital One to Nike to the creation of the "Hive Mind"—a global internal engine for tracking cultural and tech signals—Ali breaks down how to spot the trends that actually matter. Finally, she makes a case for the ultimate mental unlock: why reading science fiction is the best way to rewire your brain’s paradigm.

Michael Gonda - Nike EVP, Chief Communications Officer

In this episode, we go off-script with Michael Gonda, Nike’s EVP and Chief Communications Officer, for an unfiltered conversation that moves beyond his professional biography. Michael shares the deeply personal story of his Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis—a life-altering moment that transformed him from an unathletic professional into a four-time marathoner inspired by the digital coaching of Nike’s own Coach Bennett. From his transition into Nike’s culture following leadership roles at McDonald’s and Chobani to the organic chaos of the Grimace Shake TikTok trend, Gonda discusses the importance of building resilient teams and why he views Nike as a catalyst for belief for anyone reclaiming their own agency.