‘The Vulnerability of Victory’ with Camilo Andrade
Vice-president of Brand Marketing, Nike
“Trust that you are unique in this world, and honour your purpose by being yourself.”
In this episode of Decontextualized, Natalia Rachel is joined by Camilo Andrade, vice-president of brand marketing, Nike. Camilo shares how his family shapes who he has become, his personal journey of dealing with a health crisis just as he was on the cusp of fatherhood, and talks about the importance of building trust and belief in yourself to get through adversities.
About Camilo Andrade:
Born in Colombia in 1981, and in the beginning of a Narco war that would lead the country into its worst years of corruption, insecurity and terror caused by the Narcos the government and the guerrilla forces, I grew up in a entrepreneurial family with a strong sense of identity, hard work and no fear.
Looking for alternatives to get away from drugs and terror, my parents used sports as the perfect hideout and getaway to channel my energy and focus.
Although, relatively new to Nike, I could say I’m a MKTG & business veteran. I began my career flipping burgers in 1999 when I created my own burger shop.
Then decided to spread my wings and pursue an international career by joining Pirelli in Brazil, an adventure that was supposed to last for only 6 months and that hasn’t come to an end yet! With Pirelli I moved from Brazil to Italy, then I moved to Portugal to joint multinational well-ness giant, Nestle. After almost a year and battling immigration challenges, I took on new adventures as a waterskiing instructor, but after a while of being a castaway, decided to get back on the professional rat-race, a decision that took me to join the cosmetics leader L’Oreal. My affair with L’Oreal was long and hard but rich in experiences and places. After 3 countries (Portugal, France and Mexico), 3 languages, and 5 different roles, L’Oreal got me to Mexico where I shaped my leadership identity and realized I needed a change to finally pursue my dream. That dream took me to Red Bull, a place like no other where I found joy and purpose somewhere between the stratosphere the sea and the dirt of this earth.
With my heart and passion in the right place, the swoosh found me in 2014 when I joined as SR. Brand Director for Nike Mexico in Guadalajara.
In 2016 I moved back to Mexico City to open the new HQ and consolidate the new offense in what was appointed a new Global city. After a few months, in February 2017, I moved to the US to take a role in North America HQ as the SR.
Running Brand Director. Move that led to a life changing decision, getting married with my lovely wife Maria Fernanda.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of being trusted for various leadership positions within Nike’s Corporate Leadership Team and across Geographies and Global teams including Running, Football and most recently Global Men’s Brand Management where I had the honor of building and establishing the new team, vision, and direction for the Men’s Construct, while also joining the Worldwide Marketing Leadership Team in championing DEI for the function.
Since September 2021, I have received the honor of being appointed the first Latino & Colombian to lead the Brand and it’s diverse team of more than 300n people around Asia, Pacific & Latin America Region. It comes full circle as I now have the privileged and responsibility to pay it forward so underrepresented talent from our beautiful countries can have the same opportunities I’ve had.
My wife and I love living a healthy and adventurous life. I’m still a passionate and dedicated water skier with strong discipline and training ethic. I’m also a passionate guitar player an avid motorcycle rider and an addict for board sports, I love snowboarding, wakeboarding, skateboarding and surfing. You could say I’m an adrenaline junkie...