Marketing and entrepreneurship alumna and former basketball standout turning her love of sport and storytelling into a purpose-driven career with Nike
Fueled by purpose and passion, Belmont alumna Lauren Thompson (’17) transformed her love of sport and storytelling into a career at the global epicenter of sport marketing. Today, she serves as a Global Brand Director for Nike Basketball, turning her lifelong passions into purpose-driven work for one of the world’s premier athletic brands.
Court to Corporate: Lauren’s Nike Story
Thompson’s path to Nike blended boldness, preparation and persistence. Even though she had no official connections with the brand, she applied for a Nike internship during her junior year motivated by hope and determination.
Her leap of faith paid off. She earned an interview and was selected as a digital intern for the Jordan Brand.
“Nike has always been on my bucket list,” she said. “I feel extremely lucky that a recruiter even saw my application.”
That summer in Oregon, Thompson built connections that would change her life.
“One of the best parts about being an intern at Nike is that anyone will meet with you if you ask for a one-on-one,” she said. “I was meeting with people that I truly had no business talking to.”
Back in Nashville for her senior year, Thompson received a return offer as an operations contractor at Nike — an opportunity she eagerly accepted.
“I told them, ‘I’ll sweep the floors if that’s what it takes to get back on the team,’” she joked.
Her role soon evolved from operations to marketing, ultimately leading to a full-time position. Over the years, she advanced through multiple roles in digital and social media marketing, contributing to Jordan.com, the Nike App, and the launch of the Jordan Women’s Brand — a project close to her heart.
In 2021, Thompson transitioned to the Nike Brand team, first as a manager and later as a director, leading social strategy for major global campaigns including the Olympics, Super Bowl and World Cup.
“It was an incredible experience,” she said. “I loved being part of such impactful work.”
Now, as a Basketball Brand Director, Thompson helps define Nike Basketball’s global brand voice, crafting stories around elite athletes and inspiring the next generation of dreamers.
The Belmont Difference
Thompson credits Belmont’s location, academics, athletics and close-knit community for shaping her success.
“The experiences I had at Belmont — whether through academics or athletics — were truly something I don’t think I could have found anywhere else,” she said.
As a student-athlete, Thompson helped lead the Belmont Women’s Basketball team to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championships, earning two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
“Playing basketball was a huge motivator for choosing Belmont,” she said. “A huge part of the community here is supporting each other and cheering each other on. I really felt that as part of the team.”
Discovering a Passion for Digital Marketing
Double-majoring in marketing and entrepreneurship, Thompson discovered her love for digital storytelling in Professor Kyle Huggins’ social media and digital marketing class — a course she now calls “the most pivotal” of her college experience.
“In the class, we had to come up with a concept and start an entire campaign of social media marketing behind it,” Thompson shared.
Inspired by Humans of New York, Thompson launched her own campaign spotlighting her friends, family and community members through interview-style posts.
“It was probably the class that I learned the most about what I would be doing in the future,” she added. “It sparked my love for social media and social media marketing.”
Nearly a decade later, that same spark continues to drive her work at Nike.
Advice for Future Bruins
Thompson credits her confidence and self-advocacy — skills sharpened both on the court and in the classroom — for helping her make bold moves throughout her career.
“During my basketball career, I learned that if you don’t stand up for yourself or speak up, no one else will,” she said. “So you might as well do it for yourself.”
She encourages students to make the most of every opportunity Belmont offers.
“I honestly think Belmont has one of the best business programs,” she said. “My experiences as a student helped me get here. Take full advantage of your classes and the opportunities you have.”
Her final piece of advice: find where passion meets purpose.
“My student-athlete background and love for sport are big reasons I’m here at Nike,” she said. “Pursue what you love — because that’s where you’ll find the most fulfillment.”
Living Out the Belmont Difference
From the Curb Arena hardwood to the Nike headquarters, Lauren embodies the Belmont spirit of purpose-driven success. Her story reminds students that combining discipline, tenacity and purpose can transform a dream into a career that inspires others.
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