Drew Burns

Ten days into my freshman cross-country preseason training at Santa Clara University, I broke my right foot in a freak accident. It was a devastating setback, but I refused to let it define me. Three years later, I ran the third-fastest 10,000m time in school history, earned the team’s Most Improved Athlete award, and was named team captain.

This experience shaped me as a leader and helped me define my core values: resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. It also ignited my passion for footwear and its role in performance and recovery. After earning my Bachelor’s in Finance from Santa Clara, I pursued my M.S. in Sports Product Management at the University of Oregon, graduating in 2022.

In the SPM program, I gained hands-on experience across the entire product creation lifecycle, from ideation to commercialization. I worked on a team project to develop a rain-resistant golf shoe that minimizes slipping, applying athlete insights to innovative design solutions. Alongside my studies, I continued my passion for running as a wear tester, providing detailed feedback on fit, durability, and performance for future product lines.

At Nokona Baseball, I’ve had the privilege of working with the last baseball glove brand still manufactured in the USA. I led initiatives such as forecasting material and color trends, developing consumer-focused product strategies, and conducting athlete-driven wear testing to ensure quality and performance. This experience has deepened my understanding of premium product development and the importance of honoring craftsmanship.

Previously, I interned with LaiYih Group in Vietnam, supporting adidas-specific mass manufacturing. Spending every day on the factory floor, I learned about high-volume production processes and collaborated on projects to improve efficiency, including a machine downtime reduction proposal and production optimization for three key models. These experiences expanded my perspective on global supply chains and reinforced the value of strong partnerships between brands and factories.

I aspire to use my unique blend of experience in finance, product creation, and manufacturing to deliver innovative, athlete-focused products that drive brand growth and help athletes achieve their goals. I’m excited to continue combining my passion for sports with my expertise in product management, always looking forward to what’s next.