Caitlin Gouws

The leading manufacturer in sports safety equipment, including the Guardian Cap, PEARL lacrosse ball, LOOP headband, FLEX chinstrap, and Guardian bio-based infill. Business Growth: Drive expansion through managing strategic partnerships, enhancing the product portfolio, and fostering corporate networking. Team Leadership: Lead a team of six creatives and multiple agencies, focusing on innovative brand marketing and development. Performance Marketing Management: Oversee lead generation, sales support, partnership development, retail and dealer relations, trade show activities, public relations, tech stack improvements, digital ad budgeting, SEO, and data analytics. Brand Marketing Oversight: Direct marketing initiatives including email campaigns, social media strategies, packaging design, digital and website design, digital ad creation, and content development.

Focused on driving business growth through managing partnerships, acquisitions, and corporate networking. Led lead generation, sales support, and trade show activities. Directed public relations, email marketing, social media strategies, and content creation. Oversaw marketing initiatives, including digital and website design, digital ad creation and budgeting, tech stack management, digital analytics, and SEO. Managed patents and trademarks to safeguard and advance company innovations.

Joined The Hanson Group, LLC in November 2011 to lead market research and develop marketing strategies aimed at expanding the company's product and consulting services into new markets. The Hanson Group specializes in material sciences, focusing on thermoset technology and UV stabilizers. We collaborate with numerous Fortune 100 companies, including Younger Optics, Sherwin Williams, Oakley, 3M, BASF, Correct Craft, Playcore, Boeing, Ford Motors, Lockheed Martin, and PPG, to advance their technologies.

The Hanson Group acquired Aragon Elastomers in 2010. Aragon, renowned for its expertise in specialized polyurethanes, has been a leading innovator in the indoor climbing industry since 2002. As the sole true polyurethane manufacturer in this niche, Aragon produces the world's strongest and most reliable climbing holds. Dominating the U.S. market, Aragon manufactures 90% of climbing holds nationwide. In 2021, Aragon was acquired by Playcore.

Selected as one of a dozen entry level employees for the T3 (Turner Trainee Team) leadership development program in August of 2011 and was promoted to a coordinator position in the TEN Sponsor Shop Sponsorship Solutions team in August of 2011. The TEN Sponsor Shop created innovative sponsorship opportunities on the network to support network revenue goals while balancing the needs of network marketing and promotions to maintain key demo deliveries. The Sponsorship Solutions team of three, within the Sponsor Shop, managed the TBS & TNT Upfront show, Sponsor Shop marketing internally and externally, department sharepoint site, ad sales marketing, and development of strategic and innovational concepts and packaging strategies. Each employee was expected to add to the team while growing personally and professionally through seminars, personal development courses, and panel discussions.

Collaborated with international distributors and clients to drive sales, enhance product positioning, and elevate brand awareness. Developed marketing collateral in coordination with creative teams, copy editors, and external agencies. Planned and executed a variety of events, including training sessions, in-store promotions, charitable activities, and market weeks.

Concentration in Marketing and Entrepreneurship Dean’s List; Lambda Sigma Honor Society; HOPE Scholar; Honors