Jenny Simpson’s home is in Boulder, Colo., but you wouldn’t know it based on where she’s spent the last year-and-a-half since retiring as a professional runner.
The World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist in the 1500m set off on a year-long road trip late in 2024 to run in all 50 states. And she’s now spending six months in Carrboro, N.C., to acquaint herself with Fleet Feet and her new role as chief running officer.
There are essentially two sides to the role, according to Simpson and chief executive officer Joey Pointer. One sees her as an ambassador for Fleet Feet and the other is advising all sides of the business to make sure the company is authentically meeting runners’ needs.
You May Also Like
Related Stories
Throughout her running career, Simpson depended on coaches and personal heroes for guidance. Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs coached her through college and much of her professional career, while her heroes include Joan Benoit Samuelson and Deena Kastor, two pioneers of women’s running.
Coming into the footwear industry, Simpson is now looking for those coach and hero equivalents — and said Women Who Rock gives her many examples. “Instead of me imagining what kind of woman I want to be in this industry, it’s like, find that woman and chase her,” Simpson said.
A lifetime of being coached makes Simpson naturally inclined to accept constructive criticism, which she also sees as a key to learning the skills necessary to succeed at Fleet Feet.
Her definition of success should also translate: She focuses less on specific results and more on putting in the work so she can be proud in the end. This approach led to surprises in her pro career, such as winning the 1500m race at the 2011 World Championships despite never running the distance at that level of competition.
“In the first few months getting a peek behind the curtain at Fleet Feet, learning that heartbeat for community, for care, for building confidence in people is what is so critical to me being here,” Simpson said. “I’m not going to work at a place where I feel like we’re not working for the right thing. I’m going to pour my whole life into it, and my expectation is we’re going to surprise each other.”
A version of this article appeared in the June 1 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 3, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.