Although I worked for Nordstrom only four years, I had the pleasure of opening two stores, Park Meadows #34 and Perimeter Atlanta #760. As a Gift Gallery manager, I was always humbled and thrilled when the Nordstrom gentlemen would come to visit, especially Blake. He had a way of making you feel part of HIS...

Kate Sherman Snapp

I’ve been at Nordstrom for almost five years in the technology organization and every single time I’ve seen Blake speak I’ve been struck by his humbleness, his honestly, and his deep care for our customers and our employees. The world would be so much better with more leaders like Blake. He is deeply missed.

Rob Gruhl

Blake generously opened his house to a group of us for a perfect summer evening. He and his wife made us feel so welcome, like we were truly guests. It didn’t feel like a work party. It was visiting Blake, a fun friend, at his house to chat about his dog. He was so humble....

As I read all of the stories employees past and present are sharing about Blake and remember the opportunities I had to meet him over my 16 years at Nordstrom it is clear what stands out again and again. Blake took the time to know his employees, to show them kindness, to appreciate and thank...

Ingrid Etzold

I randomly called Blake to say thank you for my 401(k) , he called me back within an hour to say I made his day !!!!!!!! That made my career🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

I recall Blake telling an audience his favorite song was Sympathy for the devil by the rolling stones. It seemed fitting for a leader that had boundleas energy and enthusiasm! I wish i could have learnt more about his experiences that led him to endear himself to that song.

Sunil

In 1986 or 1997 I was a 25 year old Nordstrom employee at Place Two in Missoula MT. I had recently been promoted to shoe department manager and was feeling very overwhelmed. We got the call that our buyers were on their way and needed rides from the airport to our store. I was appointed...

Monica Woolf Becker

I started with the company in February of 2015. Since day one there was always one name that everyone held at the tip of their tongue. The name was Blake. Now in my head at the time all I heard was “corporate head honcho”…. Boy was I wrong. The presence that Blake had upon meeting...

Shawn Garrett 264

The biggest smile, the warmest heart, the best leader.

I’ve had the pleasure of working for this amazing company for 5 years now and I’ve never felt more a part of a family, a community, and a support system and I work from home!! Nordstrom cares about it’s people and it sounds like Blake was a driving force in that message! Though I did...

I will always remember a story Blake told at an all hands meeting about dropping off one of his children at school. One of the kids asked him if he was one of the Nordstrom Brothers. To which he answered yes. With a follow up from the child asking if he was famous. It was...

Bill Presnell

I was honored with the opportunity to watch Blake speak at a company All-Hands within the first month that I became an employee. I was enjoying every moment because of his charisma and gentle charm, and I could see how the entire audience was engaged with what he was talking about. I was even more...

Kathryn Kremer

I was blessed to have had many interactions with Blake over the 37 years working here at Nordstrom. The lessons were many and always rewarding. From the days he walked the floor with me prior to opening Paramus, NJ, to the days he spent with me as a Store Manager, preparing to open Freehold, NJ....

Alison Burckhardt

I first met Blake in 1985 when I was a salesperson at SeaTac Place Two in Federal Way, Washington. Blake was my regional merchandise manager/buyer. Blake was a Fantastic Teacher and always supportive of my career. Blake would often check in with me as I would take on new roles. As well, as a store...

Joe Greco

In 2009 I worked at store 360 fashion valley San Diego location. I just remember all the buzz going around that Blake Nordstrom would be at our store I had no idea what he looked like and was nervous that he may come and ask me something I might not know the answer to. When...

Gloria Chavis

Inspiring. Funny. Kind. There are so many words to describe Blake but those three are what I remember from my sit down lunch with him in May 2018 at 326. Thank you for an unforgettable conversation that motivated me to continue my climb down our pyramid.

Rebecca Hernandez

On a work trip to Nordstrom HQ from the Denver office last year, I had a short break for lunch and decided to eat in the Cafe at Nordstrom Store #1. I approached the counter to get a table, not realizing that at the Cafe you were supposed to order first, and they would bring...

Benjamin Rice

I had the great privilege of attending a recognition dinner at Blake and Molly’s home. Thought the party started at 5 but it actually was set for 6pm… whoops! No problem at all for Blake and Molly however. They both greeted me at the door and said cmon in kid you can help us set...

Derek Nodolf

Blake’s passion and energy was visible when the Employee Resource Grps were launched. When joined the Black Employee Network for which he was a sponsor I was impressed with how he was at the elevators meeting employees of color like myself and encouraging us to participate in the Employee Resource Groups. He truly cared for...

Marsha Mutisi

Not long ago, Blake and I were entering one of the doors after getting off the elevator. I pressed the auto open button to open the door as he reached to open it with the handle and Blake gave me a “look”. I told him that during cold and flu season I was NEVER touching...

Lori Anderson- regional store operator

My deepest condolences- I have always enjoyed watching Nordstrom Brothers on the SOTC videos, And always enjoyed watching Blake speak…He seemed like a great genuine guy.

Andrea Olvera

I’ve always admired how Blake has been able to be such a strong leader in an industry while maintaining a culture of ethics, family, character and heart within the company. I realize how much he has been at the center of why I have admired and have stayed with the company. I’m so sorry he’s...

Lori Skudler

I’ve had the privilege of working for Nordstrom for 10 years now, and over that time I’ve grown personally as much as I’ve grown professionally in large part by learning to get things done while operating within the culture that Nordstrom demands – a culture that directly reflects the values of Blake and his family:...

David Howat

It was very early in my career here at Nordstrom and my first state of the company meeting. Blake had come all the way to Freehold, New Jersey and if I recall correctly rented a Honda civic four door sedan. I was beyond excited to meet Blake and knew with how busy he was that...

James O'Brien

I am deeply saddened by our loss of Blake and send my condolences and prayers for peaceful healing to his family. I have worked for our Company for over 20 years and I will continue to be inspired by Blake to reach higher and be better. In every situation I will remember his smile, pause...

Linda Dunn

I remember working in Bellevue back in the early 2000’s and Blake would come into the store and would walk the floors talking to people and getting to know staff. One evening I was working in customer service and Blake came up – looking at me holding this big bag of gift cards and asked...

Michael Brand

It is because of Blake and his leadership that has kept me with the Nordstrom family for the past 32 years. His servant leadership and his ability to make each of us feel so important is a gift he shared with all. When I think of the times I had the opportunity to talk with...

Lori Smith

I’ve always felt a great amount of thankfulness towards Blake as working at Nordstrom has changed my life in so many ways. When I applied at Nordstrom I never imagined I would be building a career as a leader. While Blake is not the only Nordstrom in leadership, he has been the leader I have...

I can remember my very first Rec meeting. I just graduated FNL and it just so happened Blake was our guest speaker. Well my store manager challenged us to come up with an impacting question to present to Blake and she would look it over to make sure the question was original and well thought...

Blake had a way of making you feel special and appreciated. That big smile and bright eyes conveyed a curiosity and concern for all Nordstrom employees. He made you feel valued and in turn you would feel proud to work for a company that had leaders like Blake. My interactions with Blake were limited, but...

“To live in the hearts of others, is never to die.”

Mike Manzano

Blake is the most inspiring leader that I’m fortunate to meet in my life. The way he talks, how close he is to his employee, the way he answers all the questions, how humorous he is in every aspect of life makes me admire him so much. He inspires me how to change the way...

Blake was always a highlight when he spoke at our company meetings. He was a real person who inspired trust and projected kindness. My sincere condolences. He will be missed and remembered.

I always enjoyed when Blake would come to speak at a recognition meeting. It never ceased to amaze me that he would remember, not only the name of every all star that was recognized, but a fact their store manager shared about them. I hope his friends and family find some strength in the fact...

I can still hear his distinctive voice when I see his big smile from all the company videos over the years. He was such a delight to watch along side of his Pete, Erik, Jamie and Geevy. I was very surprised and devastated to see the announcement of his passing. I lost my mother a...