---
title: Foot in the Door for Sustainability
date: 2021-09-21T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/foot-in-the-door-for-sustainability"
section: Articles
---
# Foot in the Door for Sustainability

*September 21, 2021* — by [Chris Carroll](/author/chris-carroll)


> Terp Helps Make Sure Nike’s Sneakers Are All Green

*Nike 1920x1080 — Nike's Space Hippy line of shoes was developed with the help of Kelley Baek '05, MBA '11, the company's director of sustainable footwear materials, and incorporates recycled materials to lessen its environmental "footprint."*

The days of tanned cowhide and canvas as state-of-the-art shoe materials are long past, but are you ready to step into the future of footwear—donning a pair of kicks crafted from Flyleather, perhaps?

“No, it’s not actually leather from a fly,” said Kelley Baek ’05, MBA ’11, director of sustainable footwear materials at Nike, who oversaw a project to turn leather waste into an attractive and durable material. The name elicited a few chuckles, but it’s now available in the company’s shoe lines.


*Kelley Baek ’05, MBA ’11 headshot*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni)


**Units:** [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences), [Robert H. Smith School of Business](https://today.umd.edu/topic/robert-h-smith-school-business)