Sara Fantl

Narrative Director, Nike Brand Creative November 28, 2022, Sara managed Rebecca (Becky) directly

It would be impossible for me to properly capture all the reasons I loved having Becky on my team, but I'll try.

Becky is a self-starter who can truly own projects. As a manager, I was always thrilled to give Becky the reins of a big task. Not only did I know that it would be done well and on time, I trusted Becky to get to the finish line collaboratively. She reached out when she needed help, but always tried to find her own solutions first.

My favorite example of this was when I tasked her with rethinking the voice of Nike Kids. The larger Brand team wanted to infuse a more playful tone into all Kids deliverables, even product descriptions. Becky dove in head first, doing competitor analysis and finding Nike-right solutions. After finding the best path forward, she mentored her writer to get just the right balance between helpful information and fun, lighthearted language. It set a precedent for a more conversational tone that we infused throughout our whole department.

Becky is the best kind of risk taker. She identifies opportunities based on experience and an understanding of the marketplace. Then she will bring ideas forward with data and a proposed plan of action. She wants to push the work forward and make it better, but is always thoughtful in doing so.

Becky is great for team culture. She sets the tone for a positive, collaborative environment. She never shies away from asking questions or giving her opinion, but always does so in a respectful and helpful way. My favorite way this shows up is in Becky's leadership and mentorship for new teammates. She doesn't just show them around the office and tell them "the rules." Becky builds up their confidence and encourages them to be vulnerable and authentic at work.

I so appreciated working with and learning from Becky. She made me a better writer, manager and creative. If you are lucky enough to work with her too, I know you'll feel the same.