Visionary Award
Paul Beckles is an award-winning leader in the sports and entertainment industry. Paul joined Nike in 2019 as the Head of Global Brand Marketing for Converse. In his current role as Director of Global Athlete Marketing, Paul leads marketing strategy development and planning for signature athletes, including NBA sensations Ja Morant and Devin Booker. With more than a decade of leadership experience, Paul’s past roles include Marketing Partnerships Manager for the Philadelphia 76ers, General Manager for Dragon Sports Properties, and Director of Brand Partnerships for Athletes First Partners.
Paul hails from Dash Valley in St. George, Barbados. At the age of 6, Paul and his family moved to the United States, and he was raised in the Philadelphia area. Growing up, Paul volunteered for the Philadelphia Caribbean Festival, where his mother served as a committee member. His mother also co-founded the Barbados Society of Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization dedicated to building community and supporting the advancement of Bajans locally. Paul volunteered for the Society, and his stepfather later served as president.
Paul earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and an executive education certificate from Harvard Business School’s Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports Program. Now, Paul lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife (and college sweetheart) Ebony and their two children: Cameron and Summer.
