Adidas announced on Wednesday that Amanda Rajkumar, the executive board member and labor director overseeing global human resources, people, and culture, will be stepping down from her position.

The Supervisory Board of Adidas AG has accepted her decision and agreed on the termination of her appointment as an Executive Board member effective July 15.

Having been the only female on the Adidas board before her exit, her departure created a diversity crisis.

Amanda joined adidas board as Head of Global Human Resources, People and Culture in 2021, with a career spanning 28 years of human resources experience in global organisations. 

Before Adidas, she was head of Human Resources for BNP Paribas USA.

Michelle Robertson, SVP Workplaces and Global Functions at adidas, will assume responsibility for global human resources, people and culture on an interim basis, reporting to adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden.

Thanking Amanda for her contribution, Thomas Rabe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Adidas AG, said: “Under her leadership, we made great progress in fostering a deeper culture of inclusion and creating better leadership accountability. In a period of transition for the company, Amanda put our people at the center of her work and ensured that Adidas continuously obtained top positions in employer rankings around the world.” 

“With the professionalisation of the HR function over the last few years, overall employee engagement has increased.”

“I am proud of what we have achieved, and I wish Bjørn, my colleagues in the Board, and above all, my team, all the best as they continue to successfully transform this iconic company,” said Amanda.