CHRISTY MEHAFFIE
Portland
Summary
Strategic Visual Merchandising Leader with a proven track record of translating brand vision into scalable Marketplace strategies that strengthen consumer connection and elevate retail experiences. Experienced in navigating complexity across cross-function teams, aligning diverse stakeholders around a common vision, developing talent and building high-performing partnerships. Recognized for identifying gaps and evolving ways of working that elevate the Marketplace.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead, North America VMS
Nike Inc
11.2024 - Current
- Lead North America Visual Merchandising Strategy for Running and seasonal business priorities, translating global direction into localized consumer experiences that drive product visibility, engagement, and business performance.
- Translated global priorities into localized consumer experiences that drove product visibility and business performance.
- Developed and scaled seasonal visual merchandising directives, evolving execution from fleet-wide direction to door-specific strategies tailored to unique marketplace needs.
- Partnered across Retail Brand, Merchandising, Global VM, and Territory teams to align consumer, product, and business strategies into actionable retail experiences.
- Built new tools and processes that enhanced visual merchandising effectiveness, improved speed to market, and strengthened execution quality.
- Served as a trusted leader and strategic partner, driving alignment, capability building, and continuous improvement across the Visual Merchandising organization.
Senior Professional, North America VMS
Nike Inc
02.2024 - 11.2024
- Lead North America Visual Merchandising Strategy for seasonal initiatives, shaping end-to-end retail experiences that connect brand vision, consumer demand, and business priorities.
- Drove cross-functional alignment across Global, Geo, and Territory teams to develop scalable merchandising frameworks, product storytelling strategies, and marketplace execution plans.
- Championed the translation of global strategies into locally relevant retail solutions, balancing consistency of brand expression with marketplace nuance.
- Spearheaded execution of key sport moments and priority product launches, ensuring premium consumer experiences across North America's most influential retail environments.
Senior Professional, Territory Visual Manager
Nike Inc
04.2022 - 01.2024
- Led territory-wide Visual Merchandising strategy and field enablement efforts, translating enterprise priorities into actionable retail execution plans that drove brand consistency and business performance.
- Developed and coached a broad network of Visual Merchandising talent, building organizational capability through training, mentorship, succession planning, and performance development.
- Influenced marketplace execution through strong cross-functional partnerships, aligning field, retail, and Geo teams around seasonal priorities and consumer-focused solutions.
- Directed execution readiness for key brand and sport moments, ensuring premium storytelling, elevated product presentation, and consistent brand expression throughout the territory.
- Leveraged reporting, field insights, and execution audits to identify opportunities, inform strategic decisions, and continuously improve retail standards and operational effectiveness.
Head Coach
Nike Inc
02.2020 - 03.2022
- Led store and people strategy for a high-volume Nike retail environment, balancing operational excellence, talent development, and consumer experience to drive business results.
- Built organizational capability by developing future leaders, coaching teams, and implementing performance and succession planning practices.
- Influenced Visual Merchandising excellence across multiple districts through leadership of PLC Visuals, training initiatives, and field capability-building programs.
- Established and scaled the District Visual Merchandising/Brand Captain role, creating new processes, training resources, and best practices that strengthened execution consistency.
- Directed onboarding and training experiences through Visual Camps, equipping store teams with the skills, tools, and knowledge required to deliver premium brand experiences.
- Partnered with district and cross-functional leadership to align retail strategy, elevate marketplace execution, and strengthen brand presentation across the fleet.
Assistant Head Coach
Nike Inc
10.2017 - 01.2020
- Supported leadership of a $10 mil+ retail business by driving operational excellence, talent development, consumer experience, and merchandising execution in alignment with Nike's brand and business objectives.
- Built organizational capability through leadership development, recruiting, onboarding, and coaching programs that strengthened team performance and succession pipelines.
- Influenced brand impact beyond the store by leading training initiatives, community engagement efforts, and cross-functional partnerships that enhanced both consumer and employee experiences.
- Acted as a trusted business partner to store leadership, translating enterprise strategies into actionable plans that drove sales growth, operational efficiency, and elevated retail execution.
- Contributed to a multi-year period of record business performance, helping deliver three consecutive years of sales growth and achievement of annual business targets.
Coach
Nike Inc
08.2016 - 10.2017
- Oversaw key merchandising and consumer experience functions across Footwear, Apparel, and Visual Merchandising, ensuring alignment between brand strategy, product presentation, and business objectives.
- Developed team capability through coaching, training, and performance development, building a strong foundation for future leadership and retail excellence.
- Leveraged marketplace insights, consumer feedback, and business performance metrics to influence merchandising decisions and improve product productivity.
- Partnered with store leadership to translate enterprise priorities into actionable retail strategies that drove sales growth, operational efficiency, and premium consumer experiences.
- Fostered a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement through clear communication, strong leadership, and a consumer-first mindset.
Merchandise Manager/Head of Retail Partnerships
Chicago Red Stars LLC
01.2015 - 11.2015
- Led retail merchandising and partnership strategy for a professional sports organization, overseeing buying, inventory management, assortment planning, and multi-channel retail operations.
- Expanded the organization's retail footprint by establishing new wholesale and consignment partnerships, increasing market visibility and consumer access to branded merchandise.
- Drove revenue growth through data-informed merchandising decisions, product assortment optimization, and enhanced retail experiences across e-commerce and event-based channels.
- Directed visual merchandising and game-day retail operations, creating compelling consumer shopping environments that elevated brand presentation and sales performance.
- Managed cross-functional relationships with vendors, retailers, and internal stakeholders to improve operational efficiency and support business growth objectives.
- Achieved a 35% increase in merchandise sales compared to the previous season and delivered record-setting performance for stadium retail operations.
Sales and Box Office Manager
Chicago Red Stars LLC
04.2014 - 01.2015
- Led ticket sales and box office operations for a professional sports organization, driving revenue growth, fan acquisition, and customer retention strategies.
- Developed new business initiatives and sales programs that expanded market reach and increased ticket sales performance.
- Managed sales operations, pipeline reporting, and performance analytics to improve team effectiveness and revenue outcomes.
- Elevated the game-day fan experience through operational leadership, customer service excellence, and cross-functional coordination.
- Coached and developed sales talent through training, performance management, and business development support.
- Helped deliver a 42% increase in ticket sales revenue year-over-year, contributing to a top-three attendance ranking across the league.
Sales Executive for Schools & Distribution
Freestyle Photographic
09.2012 - 02.2013
- Managed a portfolio of school and distribution accounts, supporting sales operations, customer retention, and account growth initiatives.
- Delivered exceptional customer service and consultative support, strengthening client relationships and driving repeat business.
- Served as a subject matter expert on photographic products and processes, resolving technical inquiries and ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Coordinated order fulfillment and account management activities to support operational efficiency and service excellence.
Store Manager
Hot Topic Inc
04.2001 - 11.2010
- Managed multi-million-dollar retail operations, including flagship locations, delivering strong financial results through effective leadership, consumer engagement, and operational execution.
- Built and developed high-performing teams through strategic recruiting, coaching, and talent development practices.
- Leveraged visual merchandising and brand storytelling to create compelling retail experiences that increased traffic, conversion, and sales performance.
- Served as a key partner to corporate teams, providing marketplace insights that informed product, merchandising, and inventory decisions.
- Drove business growth through disciplined goal setting, performance management, and operational excellence.
- Earned top company recognition, including the Crimson Skull Award, for exceptional results in sales performance, visual merchandising execution, and inventory control.
Skills
- Visual Merchandising Strategy
- Retail Brand & Consumer Experience
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Product Storytelling & Launch Strategy
- Team Development & Succession Planning
- Marketplace Localization
- Change Leadership
- Training & Capability Building
- Operational Excellence
- Strategic Planning & Process Improvement
Timeline
Lead, North America VMS
Nike Inc
11.2024 - Current
Senior Professional, North America VMS
Nike Inc
02.2024 - 11.2024
Senior Professional, Territory Visual Manager
Nike Inc
04.2022 - 01.2024
Head Coach
Nike Inc
02.2020 - 03.2022
Assistant Head Coach
Nike Inc
10.2017 - 01.2020
Coach
Nike Inc
08.2016 - 10.2017
Merchandise Manager/Head of Retail Partnerships
Chicago Red Stars LLC
01.2015 - 11.2015
Sales and Box Office Manager
Chicago Red Stars LLC
04.2014 - 01.2015
Sales Executive for Schools & Distribution
Freestyle Photographic
09.2012 - 02.2013
Store Manager
Hot Topic Inc
04.2001 - 11.2010