Elena Gumbs ‘16 recently received a promotion to become the Associate Product Line Manager of Under Armour’s Curry footwear line. In that role, Gumbs is responsible for managing the product line and ensuring deadlines are met. Her role involves collaborating with various departments during production, communicating with leadership for timely product launches, and strategizing to maximize sales.
Following graduation from Rice, Gumbs joined Under Armour and has since served in various roles, including Sales Representative, Field Experience Specialist, Senior Specialist in Marketing Operations, and most recently, Associate Product Line Manager in the Curry Line.
“It’s been evolutionary, with the amount of change and the different roles that I’ve been in.” Gumbs said. “I’ve continuously evolved with each step.”
Gumbs, who majored in Sport Management and minored in Business, detailed her journey, starting as a sales representative and field experience specialist, where she gained valuable client-facing skills and insights into buyer habits.
“Then Covid hit, and you couldn't go anywhere, which was a little weird since my role was in the field and the world had just shut down," Gumbs said. "I wanted to figure out how I could still be of value and learn something, so I focused on adapting to the digital world.”
Gumbs' eagerness to improve led her to enroll in and complete a digital marketing certification to understand how and why we operate in social media, as well as the business side of that sector. This certification allowed her to enter a new role within Under Armour as a Marketing Operations Specialist.
“Operations was a huge unlock for me in a role I didn’t expect to have,” Gumbs said. “It was an insightful experience that allowed me to learn from many different partners across the business and understand what is required.”
A former member of Rice's women's basketball team, Gumbs knew from the start of her tenure at Under Armour that she wanted to be involved in basketball. Her role as a Marketing Operations Specialist allowed her to achieve this goal while working in person at headquarters. When she relocated, she was very intentional about who she wanted to connect and speak with.
“This is all that led up to this,” said Gumbs. “While I was an MC at an event, I started asking questions because I really wanted to work with the Curry line. As the team began to grow, the role of Associate Product Line Manager became available and I was recommended for the role. I just needed to prove myself in the interview.”
Lastly, Gumbs emphasized the importance of humility while learning and being willing to learn from those around her by asking questions and building relationships. She noted that this value was first developed during her time at Rice.
“It was paramount to have so many professional sports teams in our backyard in Houston,” said Gumbs. “Regardless of what sport I wanted to work in, we had that opportunity. Especially during the summers, it was great for working internships and expanding my network in the sports industry.”
Sergio Rojas, a junior from Houston, Texas, is double-majoring in Business with a concentration in Finance and also Sport Management with a concentration in Leadership.