- English
- Hindi
- German
- Marathi
- Tamil
Akshata Rangarajan
New York City,NY
Summary
Over 15+ years’ work experience across Sales, Communication, and Strategy. A highly motivated professional with a passion for data driven growth and creative problem solving, combined with fostering a high performing team culture through people empowerment, strategic planning, and executional excellence.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sales Director, Foot Locker Inc.
Adidas
New York City
06.2022 - 12.2025
- Spearheaded commercial strategies for $250M business, driving consistent year-over-year growth.
- Coach and lead team of 6 Account Managers in building and executing account plans
- Drove market share penetration growth by 4 percentage points.
- Spearheaded the integration of new retailer WSS, driving +50% business growth year-over-year through a geo-targeted approach prioritizing Soccer and Women's categories
- Drove exceptional growth: Women's business +150% and Kids +80% year-over-year
- Implemented key supply chain operational improvements, increasing on-time delivery by 48 pp
Key Account Manager, Foot Locker Inc.
Adidas
New York City
01.2017 - 05.2022
- Drove strategic growth as key account lead for Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker
- Established and led cross-functional Kids US Strategic Business Plan for DTC and Wholesale
- Delivered quarterly plans toward goal of $1B Net Sales ambition for adidas US kids' business
- Utilized NPD data and consumer insights to create strategic account plans driving sustainable, consumer-focused business strategy
- Enhanced team insights through industry partnerships with NPD, Facebook, and NYCFC via 3-stripe collective
Senior Manager, Brand Communication - Olympics
adidas
Germany
02.2016 - 12.2016
- Crafted global brand communication strategy for 2016 Rio Olympic Games
- Achieved outstanding results: 27.7M campaign interactions, outperforming key sponsors including Coca-Cola
- Managed cross-functional alignment across multiple stakeholder groups: Business Units, Newsrooms, eCommerce, Markets, Brand Design, Legal, and external consultants
- Enabled omnichannel online consumer journey in partnership with global eCommerce team
Manager, Corporate Communication - Brand
adidas
Germany
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Strategic communication leadership for key brand initiatives
- Planned and executed comprehensive PR and communication strategies for brand initiatives including adidas Speedfactory and Futurecraft
- Led messaging and communication rollout of 2020 "Creating the New" strategy for Board Members, Senior Management, and Strategy teams
- Enhanced employee engagement through planning and execution of athlete activations
- Lead and coached Assistant Manager, Corporate Communication
Manager, Internal Comms and Strategy - Global Operations
adidas
Germany
01.2013 - 12.2014
- Led Internal Communication strategies for C-Suite leadership
- Orchestrated the 2013 Operations Summit for 250 global Senior leaders, managing content, logistics, and executive alignment
- Led Internal Communication and events strategy for 2014 FIFA World Cup in collaboration with the Football GM and global Marketing teams
- Recognition: Selected for reverse mentorship program for Operations Senior Management team
Assistant Manager, Internal Communication and Strategy
adidas
Germany
04.2011 - 12.2012
- Communication strategy support and crisis management
- Supported Communication Manager with Global Operations Internal Communication and Events planning
- Managed internal and external crisis communication in India during month-long delegation for Reebok management crisis
Copywriting and Journalism
MAK Media and Creations
Pune, India
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Planned and executed comprehensive marketing campaign strategies
- Created engaging advertising copy for print, radio, websites, and television
Education
Master of Arts (MA) - Advertising and Marketing
University of Leeds
Leeds, UK01.2010
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Economics
University of Pune
Pune, India01.2008
Skills
- Commercial Leadership: P&L and Revenue Management, Account Management, Go-to-Market Execution
- Building Winning Teams: People Management, Mentorship, Team Building
- Data Analytics: Consumer Insights, Stakeholder Communication
- Communication and Brand Strategy: Crisis Management, PR Strategy, Brand Marketing
Certification
Generative AI: University of Michigan | 2025
LANGUAGES
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Global adidas Talent Program - Selected as one of 20 global candidates (2017), PR Report Magazine - Nominated for 30 PR talents under 30 in Germany (2014), German Language Scholarship - Goethe Institute, Munich (2010), J.N. Tata Endowment Scholarship - Higher Education Abroad (2009)
Accomplishments
- Athletics: National-level Track and Field athlete representing Maharashtra State, India
- Captain of Pune City Team at Maharashtra State Athletics Tournament
- Cultural: Nritya Visharad (Bachelor's Degree equivalent) in Bharatanatyam Indian Classical Dance (2007)
- Interests: Sports, Fashion, Dance, Writing, Travel, Reading
Timeline
Sales Director, Foot Locker Inc.
Adidas
06.2022 - 12.2025
Key Account Manager, Foot Locker Inc.
Adidas
01.2017 - 05.2022
Senior Manager, Brand Communication - Olympics
adidas
02.2016 - 12.2016
Manager, Corporate Communication - Brand
adidas
01.2015 - 01.2016
Manager, Internal Comms and Strategy - Global Operations
adidas
01.2013 - 12.2014
Assistant Manager, Internal Communication and Strategy
adidas
04.2011 - 12.2012
Copywriting and Journalism
MAK Media and Creations
01.2006 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Economics
University of Pune
Master of Arts (MA) - Advertising and Marketing
University of Leeds