Nina Watkins

Nina Watkins: Nike's Sustainability Data Analyst

Nina Watkins is a Lead Footwear Product Test Analyst focused on Sustainability at Nike.123 She is part of a team of data analysts who provide designers with the tools to make informed decisions about sustainable materials.1

Watkins plays a key role in determining the recycled content of Nike shoes. Her methodology involves:

1. Taking each component's percentage of recycled content
2. Multiplying by that component's weight to get the recycled weight
3. Adding up the recycled weights of all shoe parts
4. Dividing the total recycled weight by the total finished product weight
5. The final number represents the percent recycled content by weight for a pair of shoes1

This data-driven approach has enabled Nike to evolve iconic shoes like the Air Max 90, 95 and 97 to use more recycled materials, in projects like "Better Essentials".1

Watkins is based in Portland, Oregon and is passionate about engaging consumers with sustainable, innovative Nike products.23 She works closely with the design team to bring their vision for more sustainable footwear to life using data and analytics.1