Resume
University of Oregon, M.S. Sports Product Management, May 2023
Sep 2021 - May 2023
21-months program focused on product lifecycle of sports and outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment;
Collaborated with a team to create, develop, cost, and bring a dynamic protective ice hockey garment from brief to box;
Created team's project brief, product tech pack that included BOM, Wear Test Plan, and Measurement Guide;
Performed factory communications in a timely manner to ensure that product met team's and design standards;
Sports Product Consultant
Sep 2014 - Present
Successfully founded and managed clothing brand "XMB" from the ground up. Managed a team of designers and developers, oversaw consumer research, design, production, marketing campaign and sales, organized line's fit, fabric, color selections, wear testing, product photo sessions, and supervised supply chain logistics.
Created hockey cage/helmet concepts for a US-based start-up, consulted on their 3D printed bike helmet, which became a fast favorite within the bike community.
Assisted a soft goods company in creating an innovative storage system using sustainable materials for hockey bags. This resulted in reduction in waste and positive customer feedback.
Produced art and design projects for the RF Olympic Committee that were used in national TV promotional clips, resulting in digital engagement and increase in brand awareness.
Created and participated in promotions of Women's Ice Hockey, co-authoring a TV show that introduced and promoted Ice Hockey to women, resulting in an increase of engagement and sponsorship interest. Designed a successful digital marketing campaign that led to the founding of the 1st women's hockey league in 2015, resulting in significant increase of girls' and women's hockey teams in the country, from 6 to 52 registered teams.
Industrial Design // Easton Bell Sports
Aug 2009 - Oct 2011
Successfully designing both of Easton's lacrosse helmets, while also participating in helmet impact testing, documenting, and working closely with the product development and manufacturing teams.
Leading the design team in creating the first-ever women's LAX headgear, which involved creating sketches and physical prototypes, as well as presenting ideas to the management team.
Developing Riddell's Hit Alert, a pioneering tool for measuring hits during gameplay to prevent harmful impacts on players' brains and bodies.
Custom-fitting headgear for sponsored NHL and lacrosse players, which required observing, recording, and analyzing data at stadiums, locker rooms, and rinks. I then translated and presented the athlete's needs to the design, engineering, and marketing teams.
Actively contributing to Think Tank meetings as part of Easton's Innovation team, where I provided quick and detailed models using different mediums for innovation and ideation purposes.
Creating TechPack and liaising with offshore manufacturers to guarantee the proper execution of designs.
Jr Industrial Designer // Whipsaw
Jan 2008 - Oct 2011
Worked in multi-functional teams creating medical instrument, personal electronics, etc;
Participated in consumer research and interviews;
Produced rapid prototypes for product studies / proof of concept;
Created graphics and illustrations for user manuals;
Jr Designer // Elpci Inc
June 2006 - Dec 2007
Created consumer driven personal care products;
Worked within strict ergonomic guidelines;
Designed vibrant product presentations for in-house product kick off and stakeholder meetings;
Industrial Design Intern
Summer 2007
Assisted design team with creating large scale medical centrifuges;
Participated in creating a tabletop blood testing devise;
Worked closely with engineers and medical professionals;
Testimonials
All you really need to know about Genia: a willingness to invent, create, solve non-trivial problems, an ardent devotion to anything sports related, a categorical rejection of boring clichés, an impressive set of talents (from sports to design). Genia always does everything professionally, honestly, creatively, with 100% involvement in the project, maximum respect for the team and production deadlines.
Elena Trifonova // CEO, Production Company "Adam's Apple"
It’s my pleasure to highly recommend Genia Tikhonov to a role in the Sports Product and Outdoor industries. Genia was one of my students Fall Term 2021, Product Line Management Class. As her Instructor, I witnessed Genia’s talents firsthand. With a background in industrial design as well as extensive product and merchandising knowledge, Genia’s consumer centric focus would certainly add value to any organization. She exhibited a passion for solving consumer and athlete problems and also demonstrated leadership skills on her Team Project. She has a creative acumen and strong work ethic to realize product excellence. Genia’s also well versed in the Global marketplace and would hit the ground running. I’m confident Genia would make an excellent addition to your organization. Please feel free to contact me regarding any additional questions.
John Notar // Former Nike Divisional VP, Global Apparel Sports Categories
I had the pleasure of having Genia as a student at the UO SPM program where I taught International Business. From the get-go, it was evident that Genia had tremendous passion and skill for innovating products, that not only put the consumer at the center but also considered the local and cultural nuances that influence the consumer. She also has a strong understanding of international markets and what it would take to succeed as a business. She has proven to be both a strong leader and a collaborative teammate who knows when to step up to lead and step aside to empower the rest of the team. As a diverse talent, Genia would bring tremendous perspective and insight into any global organization.
I had the privilege to instruct Genia in my Consumer Research class at the University of Oregon. In addition to the time we spent together in class, I also advised Genia and her team on their research project associated with the program. During this time, I was continually impressed by her creative and strategic thinking. She synthesized the consumer research, develop a unique product and presented the insights/strategy highly effectively. Furthermore, she was a pleasure to work with; positive, collaborative and engaged. I hope we get to work together outside of school.
Stephen H. Holmberg // Nike: Global Director - Marketplace Trends
I've had the pleasure of working with Genia for the past two years on everything from helmet design to signage. She did a great job sticking to our design brief while adding her own spark that elevated everything she touched. Her motivation and passion manifest itself in the quality and turnaround time of her deliverables. A master of her craft, but also a great person that makes you grin from ear to ear along the way.
Genia is one of the most talented and creative people I have ever met. She is intelligent, passionate about sports and design, and would be a huge asset to any organization. I know she will continue to be successful in any career path she chooses.
Whitman Kwok // CEO KAV
Greg Marting // Giro, Sr. Design Manager - Bike and Snow
