Entrepreneurship Stories ~ A spotlight series for highlighting the success stories of Business Entrepreneurs
Q&A with Tommy ~
What do you do?
I lead gaming partnerships at Nike, managing relationships with top gaming companies like Epic Games and EA. This role allows me to reimagine the Nike brand in new spaces, drive immersive activations, and integrate Nike products into gaming platforms such as NBA2K, EA Madden and Fortnite.
Additionally, I am a co-Founder of the Raiden Science Foundation (RSF), dedicated to accelerating research for rare diseases, starting with UBA5 disorder. For further context, UBA5 disorder is a neurological progressive disease that affects my son and I am racing against time to give him a shot at life.
We are pioneering groundbreaking treatments for UBA5 disorder that never has been done, bringing hope and inspiration to the entire rare disease community. I get the opportunity work closely with renowned institutions like UMass Chan Medical School, Oregon Health & Science University and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to drive life-saving research.
How did the E-Scholars program at UP help you?
The E-Scholars program transformed the way I approach things early on in my career. It opened my mind to new possibilities and taught me to think outside the box, take bold risks, and value different opinions before making decisions. The program didn’t just provide me with business knowledge and the foundational toolkit to start RSF, it also had an impact on my work at Nike.
As a leader in gaming and supporting Nike in creating the future for the next 50 years, I’m constantly challenged to come up with fresh and innovative ideas… which I have no problem doing because of the experience and know-how instilled in me from the program.
Any advice for someone looking into Entrepreneurship?
To be successful, do what you love. Entrepreneurship is tough, and many fail because they chase money instead of passion.
Find joy in your pursuits, even during tough times, and don’t let others’ opinions sway you. Consider the advice, but make your own decisions.
Connect
To learn more about the Raiden Science Foundation, please visit – https://www.raidenscience.org
To connect with Tommy Pham, please email – tommy@raidenscience.org
