Serves as the global President of Nolan Partners, the world’s leading retained executive search firm for sports, media, and entertainment. The firm specializes in recruiting board members, C-level executive , and Vice Presidents for the top clubs, leagues, federations, broadcasters, gaming developers, sports bettors, and brands.

Currently, CEO of SPSG Consulting, firm specialized in Sports + Entertainment. For 10+ years, Vice-President of IMG, Consulting division, and for 2+ years Vice-President of Lagardère Sports, Consulting division. Has lead Consulting projects in 25+ countries. Member of the Board of the Spanish Marketing Association and Coordinator of the “Sports” chapter. Member of the Board of Directors at RCDeportivo A Coruña, since February 2021. Member of the Advisory Board at selected Sport & Entertainment start-ups: BStadium, SportIn Global, OWQLO, BePlus B+, GGTECH. “Sport Business” and “Sponsorship” professor at ESADE, IE-Instituto Empresa, FIFA, LaLiga Business School and Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid.”.

Born in Buenos Aires, Iris has a Degree in Law from the University of Buenos Aires, a Master’s Degree in Administration and Public Policy from the INAP-University of Alcalá, and a Master’s Degree in Digital Economics from the School of Industrial Organization. He has obtained the research proficiency of the PhD in Applied Economics from the University of Alcalá.​

She has developed her professional career linked to the promotion of entrepreneurship, and support of small and medium enterprises from the public-private perspective, both in Latin America and in Spain with a major emphasis on cultural industries, Spanish economy, sports, and entertainment industry.​

She put into operation and directed during 6 years the Plataforma del Español, an innovative non-profit business association that promotes the positioning of the Spanish language as an economic resource, and entrepreneurship in the cultural industries sector.​

Since the beginning of 2015, she has set up and runs the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft, a collaborative initiative between the public, private and academic sectors, which aims to promote innovation in the sports industry, creating an ecosystem that is currently composed of more than 200 companies and institutions that in a coordinated way generate synergies and value projects in the sector.​

Actively participates as a speaker, mentor and jury in startup competitions and in events linked to sports and technology on national and international levels such as Sports Analytics World Series, The SPOT, TEKAN TEN by Asics, WFStartcup by GSIC, among the others. In 2016, she was recognized as one of the 10 most influential women in the sports industry according to the ranking published annually by Metadeporte magazine. Likewise, in 2017 she was a candidate to be one of the top 100 women leaders in Spain of the magazine Mujeres y Cía. She is an active member in various forums, such as the CSD woman, the Sports Committee of the Spanish Association of Women Marketing, Soccer in Words from the Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library or Engagement de Mujeres y Cía.​

Head of Professional Football at FIFA. With an impressive academic background, significant experience in Sports Law and knowledge of several languages, Ornella’s hard work, passion and skillset has guided her through an already impressive career path. Ornella has gained valuable experience within the global sports industry having previously worked for an Italian top-division football club, leading law firms in Brazil, Spain, Italy and the U.K. and now with FIFA in Switzerland. She has specific experience with international transfer agreements, player employment contracts, image rights contracts, sponsorship and licensing agreements.
In academics, Ornella was a lecturer at Sports Law Masters in Spain, Switzerland and Italy, and has been a Guest Speaker at international conferences in Europe and the US. She holds an LL.M in International Sports Law (Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía – Madrid), Negotiation and Leadeship Diploma (Harvard Law School – Boston), and UEFA Women’s Leadership Programme (Diploma – IMD Business School). Ornella has also co-authored the books “Direito do Trabalho e Desporto Vol. II” – published in Brazil and “The FIFA Régulations on Working with Intermediaries. Implementation at National Level”. She is a member of the FIFA Players’ Status Sub-Committee and Arbitrator at the Centro Brasileiro de Mediacao e Arbitragem.

Graduating from the FIFA Master in 2004, Hicham joined the Asian Football Confederation in Malaysia dealing with marketing and sponsorship matters for over 4 years. He then became the General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football from 2010 to 2017, in charge of the administration, management of CAF’s commercial obligations, while overseeing all CAF competitions.

Hicham was designated Match Commissioner of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final in Brazil, and in 2015 was awarded by world experts as the U40 Sports Leader of the Year in London after organizing the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 in only 45 days.

In 2017 he became the CEO of the Morocco Bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, in charge of the overall conduct of the Bid, conducting the strategic and communication campaign. Managing director of HEA Sports, he works with world class experts to deliver solutions in Sports and Event management, Communication and Sports Advocacy.

Born on May 19, 1967. Corporate General Manager of LaLiga, in a first stage from 2013 until December 2019 and, now, in a second stage from October 1, 2021.

Degree in Business Studies from the University of Valencia. Master’s Degree in Taxation from the College of Economists of Valencia. Master’s Degree in Taxation from Centro de Estudios Garrigues I Law & Business School. Intense training in preparation for competitive examinations (tax, commercial, civil, etc.) and has various and diverse courses related to economic-financial matters.

Between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021, he has worked for AC Talent Sports & Entertainment, S.L.

Between 1999 and 2012 he held various positions of responsibility in Valencia CF, SAD. Thus, he was Financial Director until 2008, then General Manager and the last 3 years Executive Vice President and head of economic-financial matters.

From 1997 to 1999 he prepared for the “Treasury Management” competitive examinations. From 1992 to 1997 he worked in the Planning and Management Control Department of GEC Alsthom Transporte, S.A., a company dedicated to the construction of railway material, being in his last stage “Controller” of a business area in the Center of Valencia. From 1991 to 1992 he worked in the central services of Caja Rural de Valencia.

CEO Olocip / CSO Best of You
More than a decade of experience in Spanish First Division, English Premier League and more than 400 official matches.
U-19 European Championship, Spanish Copa del Rey and a LaLiga Championship are his main football records.

Esteban, founder of several projects in professional sports and industry, particularly Olocip, a pioneering company specialized in the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence.
Under the technical direction of its technological partners, the prestigious scientists Concha Bielza and Pedro Larrañaga (both AI full professors with more than 30 years of experience), positioning itself as a disruptive company of maximum reliability and based on scientific rigor.

For this reason, in 2018 Esteban was awarded by the CSIC at the Science Gala for the “Promotion of Research and Science” and received recognition from the Community of Madrid as a highly innovative company in Research and Innovation for intelligent specialization.
In addition, since 2019, Olocip has been a member of the European Artificial Intelligence Alliance.

He is also currently Chief Strategic Officer at Best Of You Sports, a leading company in the sports sector, member of the advisory board of the World Football Summit and a member of the expert committee of the Spanish marketing association.

“Jürgen founded streetfootballworld in 2002 with the aim of building a global community around the positive potential of football. He is a serial social entrepreneur with a passion for system change and a firm belief in the power of team play. He is also a proud SC Freiburg supporter. An enthusiast about system change and football as a force for social good. “With streetfootballworld we gather the best in class social enterprises that promise to increase and/or accelerate impact significantly by integrating football into their local solutions. Now trying to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem and mobilise the football industry to contribute efficiently to sustainably scale the impact.” It was streetfootballworld who created the Common Goal initiative, in which Jürgen and Manchester United footballer Juan Mata have brought together football players, managers, fans, organisations and brands to pledge 1% of their income to fund projects that harness the power of football to advance the United Nations Global Goals.”

Is Sierra Leone’s first female FA President and first female football premier league club owner which she founded in 2004 initially as a humanitarian project for underprivileged and displaced kids from Sierra Leone’s civil war.

A philanthropist and humanitarian, she is the founder of The Pink Charity foundation the first private foundation to donate two mammograms and an ultra sound for low income earning women.

Founder and promoter of the Sierra Leone Women of Excellence awards , and first female social magazine and inflight magazine publisher in Sierra Leone.

The Confederation of Africa’s (CAF) first female to be elected as an Executive Committee member and has served on several FIFA committees.

When not administrating football, Isha spends time on her farm trying to cultivate plants and fruits for her candle and home lifestyle project, Isha Johansen luxury fragrances.

“Rahul Kadavakolu is Vice President of Global Sports Business and Director of the Global Brand Supervisory Department at Rakuten, Inc. He joined Rakuten in 2016 to help lead and drive Rakuten’s global brand and marketing function including all sports and entertainment partnerships.
He has been instrumental in Rakuten signing the global sports and entertainment partnerships with FC Barcelona, Golden State Warriors, NBA, Spartan and Davis Cup, including a multi-continental sponsorship of Messi10, a global show by Cirque du Soleil.
He has built Rakuten’s global brand associations with the company’s brand ambassadors, including Lukas Podolski and Stephen Curry in his ‘Underrated Tour’ bringing to life the key propositions of ‘optimism’ and ‘believein the future’.
Rahul has over 19 years of global marketing and branding experience across various industries with a focus on the IT, internet services and technology sectors. Prior to Rakuten, he held leadership roles at Wipro, Ogilvy and Hakuhodo. He received a Bachelor’s in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai, India and is an avid cricket fan.”

Began her professional career in New York, as a financial analyst in Corporate Finance at Morgan Stanley, before moving back to Turkey to serve as a senior manager at Citibank between 1992 and 1999. In 1999, Ms. Köksal joined private equity fund of AIG as a VP, before joining Galatasaray Sports Club in 2001.
Ebru has held several senior positions at Galatasaray including, Galatasaray Marketing General Manager (2001 – 2006), Galatasaray SC Marketing and Finance Group Head (2006 – 2009), Galatasaray Stadium General Manager (2009 – 2010). Following the merger of football, stadium and marketing companies in 2010, she was appointed as the General Manager of the merged entity, Galatasaray Sportif A.Ş.
Ms. Köksal was the first woman to be elected to the Executive Board of European Club Association in September 2010 and she served as the vice chairwoman of Institutional Relations Working Group.
In October 2011, she was appointed as the General Secretary of Turkish Football Federation and led a restructuring and corporate efficiency project, which was higly praised by FIFA.
She was the recipient of the Executive of the Year Award 2011 by Stadium Business Awards and the 1st ever Making a Difference Award by HBS Executive Education in 2018.
Ms. Köksal served as a Board Member at Galatasaray Sports Club between June 2013 – May 2015 and besides assuming the role of General Secretary for the Board, she was responsible from Foreign Relations, Stadium and Football Academy.
She is currently a senior adviser at J Stern & Co., Chair of Women in Football, UK, INED at the Professional Footballers Association, a Board Member at MNT Health Services A.S. and Doublepass BV.
Ms. Köksal is a graduate of Brown University, with dual degree in Economics and International Relations and graduate of Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.

“Dominican economist, relocated to Spain, with almost two decades fully dedicated to the sports & entertainment industry. Founded and runs an international partnerships & business strategy advisory firm, under his own vision and brand called The Connect, from where he serves as Strategic Advisor to different companies, like Euroleague Basketball, Rakuten Inc., and Palladium Hotel Group, to name a few. Also co-founded and is a Managing Partner of SPORTHINK, a specialized advisory firm focused in investment capital sourcing for sports entities that seek financing and investment into technological transformation activities. Has been the Managing Director of an international sports marketing agency, leading business development for Southern Europe and the Americas, while handling the agency operations in the Iberian Peninsula. Previously, was part of the leadership structure of Euroleague Basketball in its marketing partnerships department, while also undertaking the strategic direction of the league’s digital business, and content marketing operations, creating award winning branded content and activation projects.

Member of the World Football Summit Advisory Board, and the Mentorship Board of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft.

Throughout his career has worked in commercial and activation projects with Euroleague Basketball, MotoGP, the NBA and some of its franchises, some of the top Major League Baseball franchises, LaLiga, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the World Surf League, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia CF, and several other sports properties. On the brand partnership building and activation side, has worked and continues to have a working relationship with decision makers at some of the renowned global brands in the space, namely TAG Heuer, BMW, Santander Bank, Red Bull, TIDAL, New Balance, Turkish Airlines, Adidas, 2K Sports, Nike, Spalding, New Era Cap, and The Upper Deck Company, amongst many.”

Rick Parry was a consultant with EY when he was hired in late 1990 to advise The Football Association on the creation of the English Premier League. Within 6 months he was appointed as the league’s first CEO. He put in place the governance structures that have been the bedrock of the success of the new league and negotiated the first two TV contracts with Sky TV. The Premier League was the first league to broadcast its live games on Pay TV, a model which is now the norm. In 1997 Rick left the Premier League to join Liverpool FC as CEO. He stayed there until 2009. The highlight was winning the UEFA Champions League in Istanbul in 2005. Since leaving Liverpool Rick has acted as an independent consultant in many parts of the world. He is currently a member of the Invesigatory Chamber of UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body.

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard is the Founder and Chairman of APO Group, the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service.APO Group is the Pan-African public relations agency for FIFA, the NBA, the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Rugby Africa, and the World Football Summit. It is also the Strategic Partner of the Olympic Movement in Africa (ANOCA), the Official Partner of iconic French football club Olympique de Marseille (OM), and a Partner of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Nicolas is a Special Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa.

APO Group works with more than 300 clients, ranging from governments to international institutions, prominent personalities, and companies active in Africa. Some of APO Group’s prestigious clients include TikTok, Meta (Facebook), Nestlé, Western Union, Canon, DHL, Marriott Group, Radisson, Siemens, Orange, Jack Ma Foundation, African Development Bank, World Health Organization, Islamic Development Bank, Liquid Intelligent Technology, Rotary International, Kaspersky, Greenpeace…Nicolas sits on several Advisory Boards, Task Forces, and International Committees, imparting his knowledge and expertise to diverse organizations. These include the Senior Advisory Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, and the Advisory Boards of the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa, the African Energy Chamber, the World Football Summit, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), the EurAfrican Forum, the Task Force for the FIFA – CAF Infrastructure Development Project, and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).