MINNEAPOLIS — Target has elected two veteran consumer and retail executives to its board of directors. They are John Hoke III, former chief innovation officer at NIKE Inc., and Steve Bratspies, former chief executive officer at HanesBrands, Inc.
The appointments come as Target prepares for its next chapter of growth under incoming chief executive officer Michael Fiddelke.
Hoke will join Target’s board on March 1 and serve on the Governance & Sustainability Committee and the Compensation & Human Capital Management Committee. Bratspies will join the board on April 1 and serve on the Audit & Risk Committee and the Infrastructure & Finance Committee.
Target said the additions reflect its continued focus on delivering style, design and value through product-led experiences informed by consumer insight.
Hoke spent more than 30 years at Nike, where he was the company’s first chief innovation officer and led its global design organization across the Nike, Jordan and Converse brands. During his tenure, he also served as chief design officer, helping position design as a strategic business capability tied to product differentiation and growth. Earlier in his career, he worked at Michael Graves Architecture & Design. Hoke currently serves as chair of the board of MillerKnoll and as an advisor to Piaggio Fast Forward.
Bratspies brings extensive experience in merchandising, operations and large-scale transformation. He became CEO of HanesBrands in 2020 and led the apparel company through a major restructuring that included the sale of the Champion brand in 2024 and the subsequent acquisition of HanesBrands by Gildan Activewear in 2025. Prior to HanesBrands, Bratspies spent 15 years at Walmart, including five years as chief merchandising officer. His earlier career included senior leadership roles at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America business and Specialty Brands. He currently serves on the board of The Clorox Company.
“These appointments underscore the board’s continued commitment to strong governance and long-term value creation for shareholders,” said Christine Leahy, lead independent director of Target’s board. She said the experience Hoke and Bratspies bring aligns with the board’s priorities as it oversees Target’s strategy and leadership transition.
