Opening Plenary: Larry Miller of Nike and Laila Lacy, award-winning author

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Laila Lacy is the co-author of the award-winning book JUMP, My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom. A native of Philadelphia, PA, Lacy graduated from Central High School. She earned a degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, where she studied Psychology and Human Communications and has studied at New York’s Bank Street Graduate School of Education. Lacy taught middle school for the New York Board of Education and later served as a business development manager for several mortgage banking firms in California. In addition to collaborating on her father’s memoir, she’s been a tutor, writing coach, school volunteer and written op-eds and product reviews that have been featured in the several online magazines. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three children.

Larry Miller is the Chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board, a division of Nike Inc. He has garnered international respect for his reputation of being an inspirational leader who understands how to build innovative, cultural and premium businesses in the world of sport and lifestyle establishing the standard for athletic luxury footwear and apparel. In his capacity as President, Miller is responsible for overseeing the operations of the $3 Billion sports performance and lifestyle brand while working closely with Nike Inc. global leadership and Michael Jordan to drive its business objectives globally. Prior to joining the Jordan Brand in 2012, Miller served as President and Alternate Governor of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Miller joined the Trailblazers in June 2007 and under his guidance the team make three consecutive trips to the postseason while selling out 159 straight games. During the 2010-11 season, the franchise celebrated an 86% season ticket retention rate, and more than 11,000 full season tickets, placing the organization fifth in the NBA. Under Miller’s leadership, the Trail Blazers became the first American sports franchise to achieve Gold LEED status for an existing arena, earning the 2009 PRISM award. Before joining Nike, Miller served as President for Jantzen, Inc. He also served as a Manager for Kraft General Foods, Assistant Controller at Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., and held various positions with Campbell Soup, molding his background as one of the most influential corporate leaders in an evolving lifestyle industry. Miller makes Portland his home, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Self Enhancement Inc. (“SEI”), the Oregon Business Council, Oregon Sports Authority, and is a member of the Portland Mayor’s Economic Development Cabinet. He is a passionate advocate for education and mentorship and was previously involved with the Urban League and Junior Achievement. Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Temple University in 1982, and a master’s degree in business from LaSalle University in 1985. He graduated from the Urban League Leadership Institute in 1987. His memoir, JUMP, My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom was published by William Morrow/ Harper Collins in 2022. Co-authored with his daughter Laila Lacy, JUMP details Miller's ascent from the streets of West Philad