From the start of her career at Adidas 15 years ago, Annie Barrett always had her eye on the marketing team.
No openings were available at the time, so Barrett (who’s now vice president of marketing for Adidas Originals) took a position in customer service in Portland, Ore., and waited all of three weeks before asking human resources how to get into her dream department. Her instruction: prove she’s the best customer service rep on the team. Taking that to heart, Barrett doubled-down on her work and six months later landed the switch she so coveted.
Since then, Barrett’s career with Adidas has taken her quite literally across the world and back. She’s worked at the company’s headquarters in the United Kingdom, United States and Germany, where she now commutes from her home in Amsterdam.
Barrett credits her career opportunities so far to a “say yes” attitude, as well as encouragement from her mentor and manager.
“Sometimes you want to progress [up], but saying yes is a sidestep,” Barrett explained. “Ultimately, it takes you on a crazy journey. I’ve had a few moments where I thought I was ready for progression but then I asked myself, ‘Will I learn something new, will I meet interesting people, will it open up my world?’ If it’s more yeses, I’m like, ‘Let’s go, let’s try it.’”
That first job in Portland had actually been offered to her manager first, but she instead recommended Barrett to take it — setting an example for the type of selfless leader she’d like to become. Today, Barrett tries to pay it forward through formal internal mentoring programs and by presenting herself as an open book for anyone interested in speaking with her.
“I’m very much about pushing the brand and business forward, but I also aim to be empathetic and warm,” Barrett said. “I like to think when you’re with me in person you feel like you could have a conversation, whether it’s confidential or a friendly coffee.”
A version of this article appeared in the June 1 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 3, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.
