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Chris Langstaff

Chris Langstaff

A strategist and builder with an MBA. For a decade at Nike I led AI, analytics, and product across Portland and Europe, and before that I built analytical software for the U.S. defense and intelligence community. Calafai is where those trades meet.

My work sits where business strategy, technology, and design meet, in that order. I frame the problem, build the analysis, write the code, and make the business case. Design is how the work gets made clear and usable; strategy is what it is for. Most organizations need three people for that.

Career Timeline

2011
Discovery Communications
Creative direction across seven television networks
2013
Thetus Corporation
Lead, Software Engineering, an all-source intelligence analysis platform for the U.S. defense and intelligence community
2016
Nike, World Headquarters
Engineer to Manager: SNKRS launch, Digital Employee Experience, HR platforms, and the design systems behind them
2020
MBA, UNC Kenan-Flagler
Beta Gamma Sigma (top 10%), completed while full-time at Nike
2022
Nike EMEA, Service & Experience Design
Lead to Principal: built the discipline from zero, directed 13 AI and analytics product squads, $22M+ EBITDA
2025
Calafai, Founder & CEO
The AI strategy platform built from everything above

Skills & Tools

Strategy

Business StrategyCompetitive StrategyMarket EntryGo-to-MarketFinancial AnalysisService DesignService BlueprintingHuman-Centered Design

Engineering

ReactTypeScriptNode.jsPythonHTML/CSSDrupalAWS

Design

Product DesignDesign SystemsUX ResearchPrototypingVisual DesignBrand IdentityPhotography

Tools

FigmaSketchAdobe Creative SuiteMiroKeynoteLightroom

Recognition

Nike CFE FY22

Cross-Functional Excellence recognition for outstanding collaboration and impact across Nike HR teams.

COVID LearnAnywhere

Global impact recognition for designing Nike's remote learning platform during the COVID-19 pandemic response.