Steve Finley is a runner, coach, and community leader whose career spans professional competition, athlete development, and brand strategy. A former professional athlete with the Nike Oregon Track Club Elite, he competed collegiately for the University of Virginia and the University of Oregon, where he was an NCAA All-American, PAC-10 Champion, and U.S. Outdoor Nationals finalist in the 3000m steeplechase.
After his professional career, Steve transitioned into coaching and community building, working with Nike Running and Nike NYC from 2015 to 2020 to lead large-scale training and engagement programs across New York City. During this time, he also co-founded Brooklyn Track Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, growing it into one of the largest and most competitive running communities in the city. Under his leadership, BKTC developed professional-level coaching, annual training journeys, and strategic partnerships that continue to support both local and national level athletes.
Following Nike, Steve served as Global Community Lead at Tracksmith before joining Bandit Running in 2021 as employee #1 and Director of Community and Partnerships. At Bandit, he launched the Bandit Membership program, spearheaded wholesale strategy, and built community partnerships while also driving brand marketing initiatives such as The Unsponsored Project and the Bandit Grand Prix. Across his career, Steve has combined his experience as an elite athlete with his expertise in community strategy to help brands and athletes connect, grow, and perform at the highest levels.