Pfizer exec to join Nike C-suite
A global footwear and apparel giant has named a new finance chief.
David M. Denton will join Nike Inc. as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Aug. 17. Current finance chief Matthew Friend, who has served in the position since April 2020 and spent more than 17 with the company, will step down at that time and remain with the company through Sept. 4 to support a smooth transition.
Friend will participate in the company’s fourth quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call on June 30 as planned.
Denton has more than 30 years of finance and operating leadership experience across global public companies. He joins Nike from Pfizer Inc., where he has served as chief financial officer since May 2022.
“Dave is a proven public-company CFO who knows how to help great consumer brands operate with discipline and invest to win,” said Elliott Hill, president and CEO of Nike, who has led the brand since October 2024. “We’re focused on doing what Nike does best: serving athletes, leading with sport and building the most innovative products in the world. Dave’s experience, judgment, and operating rigor will help us execute against these priorities with consistency and build on the progress underway.”
Prior to Pfizer, Denton served as chief financial officer of Lowe’s Companies Inc. from 2018 to 2022, where he oversaw finance, strategy and other enterprise functions. Earlier in his career, he spent two decades at CVS Health, including as chief financial officer.
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“Nike is one of the world’s great brands, with extraordinary strengths in sport, innovation, and global scale,” said Denton. “I’m excited to partner with Elliott and the leadership team to support the company’s priorities, invest with discipline, and help deliver sustainable long-term value as Nike continues to lead with sport and serve athletes around the world.”
The C-suite change comes amid struggling sales for Nike. For its third quarter ended Feb. 28, 2026, net income was $0.5 billion, down 35%, compared to the year-ago period. Diluted earnings per share was $0.35, also a decrease of 35%.
