What Caitlin Sargent sees in Gen Z in the workplace is the same as in the market. In both avenues, the cohort craves depth and authenticity.
How she works with that knowledge to speak to consumers is plain to see in her role as Jordan Brand’s chief marketing officer, but what’s less visible from the outside is how it informs her approach as a leader.
“Things that worked for me are not going to work with my team,” Sargent said. “They’re living a very busy, very digital-forward life, so I like to make sure we’re doing things to counteract that. Lots of experiences and opportunities for us to connect, learn and grow together, but also making sure there’s a focus around keeping an open forum to make sure we’re learning from one another.”
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Sargent’s commitment to empowering the next generation can also be seen in her longtime work with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She’s a board member for the local agency serving Portland, Ore., and Southwest Washington, and a “little” she matched with at 8 years old is now 23 and the first person in her family to graduate from college.
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Upon first joining the organization, Sargent said she expected to have an impact on her little’s life, but didn’t anticipate the impact her little would have on her own. The experience helped her grow and learn new perspectives, and she sees the same reciprocity through the process of mentorship within Jordan Brand.
“There’s a quote from Coach K [Duke University’s Mike Krzyzewski], where he talks about the leader is only as good as the youth of their team,” Sargent said. “If you can pay attention and make sure you’re learning from the team below you, that’s the power of a great leader.”
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.