Gaoia Xiong

Connecting People & Ideas

About Gaoia

Gaoia Xiong is a creative professional passionate about connecting people, ideas, and stories. With 4+ years of experience in marketing, events, and digital campaigns across nonprofit, economic development, and social justice sectors, she has developed a deep understanding that building genuine relationships is at the heart of meaningful impact—whether in person or online.

Skills & Expertise

  • Person holding a smartphone displaying social media insights with data on activity, website clicks, and profile visits, partially obscured by green leaves.

    DIGITAL MARKETING & ANALYTICS

    Data-driven digital
    campaigns that
    connect and convert.

  • A storefront window with a neon sign that reads 'WHAT IS YOUR STORY?' inside an office with desks, chairs, and office supplies.

    CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & COPYWRITING

    Words and visuals that
    speak your brand’s
    language.

  • A woman presents ideas on colored sticky notes on a whiteboard to a group of five people in a meeting room with laptops and notebooks.

    PROJECT MANAGEMENT

    Coordinating teams
    and timelines for
    seamless delivery.

  • Nighttime view of a cityscape with illuminated billboards, including Coca-Cola bottles, a person's portrait, and various advertisements in Japanese and English.

    CAMPAIGN STRATEGY & EXECUTION

    Smart marketing plans
    that deliver results.

Tools

Woman in graduation cap and gown standing in front of a door.

Education

Gaoia attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, along with certificates in Gender and Women Studies, and Asian American Studies with a Hmong Emphasis. Her academic background has equipped her with integrating an intersectional and holistic lens for social and digital media practices, as well as community organizing, giving her the ability to create inclusive, impactful, and culturally sensitive initiatives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Brand + Beyond

A woman speaking into a microphone and gesturing with her left hand in front of a red and beige wall.

She gained hands-on experience as a freelance content creator, producing UGC content for brands, managing influencer partnerships, and giving small businesses in Central Wisconsin a platform by sharing their stories. She is passionate about developing content that resonates with both brands and their audiences across multiple platforms.

Currently, she serves as the Marketing and Events Coordinator for Centergy, a regional marketing and economic development organization serving the five counties of Central Wisconsin: Adams, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, and Wood. As the collective voice for the region, Centergy drives prosperity and vibrancy through four strategic pillars: Talent Growth, Regional Advocacy, Business Development, and Partner Engagement. In this role, Gaoia helps advance Centergy’s mission by telling the region’s story, attracting and retaining talent, and fostering collaboration across communities.

Beyond her professional work, Gaoia enjoys cooking for her loved ones, traveling to new places, and giving back to the community through volunteerism. She regularly presents free marketing workshops for youth and volunteers annually at one of Wisconsin’s largest youth conferences, Teen Summit, where she has taught sessions on healthy relationships and led workshops on personal branding.

Throughout her experience working in non-profits Gaoia realized that social media is a powerful tool to connect, engage, and mobilize communities. At the same time, she began growing her own platforms to share her journey as a first-generation student, promote social justice, and highlight her passion for inclusivity in the beauty industry.

A woman holding a Starbucks coffee cup and a smartphone interviewed by another woman holding a microphone with news logos at a conference or event.

Heart

"By centering human connections and understanding behavior, I approach every project with purpose. In the digital space, this philosophy drives my work as I craft social media campaigns, website experiences, and visual storytelling that not only engage audiences but foster authentic, lasting connections. For me, design is more than aesthetics—it’s about creating purposeful experiences that bring communities together, amplify minority narratives, and turn ideas into shared experiences."

- Gaoia