Meet the leaders joining WFS Hong Kong 2025

Dominican economist with nearly 20 years in sports & entertainment, founder of The Connect and co-founder of SPORTHINK. Former Euroleague Basketball executive and MD at a global sports marketing agency, he has led projects with NBA, LaLiga, MotoGP, MLB, FC Barcelona, and top brands like TAG Heuer, BMW, Adidas, and Red Bull. Member of the WFS Advisory Board and GSIC Mentorship Board.

With 25+ years in elite sport, Troy is a registered Sport Psychologist with a PhD from UNSW on expertise, skill acquisition, and error in skilled performance. He was NSW Institute of Sport’s first Performance Analyst, pioneering real-time video analysis. At Hudl for 12+ years, he has led support, training, and product management for Hudl Sportscode, now helping elite teams maximize performance through data-driven solutions.

Massimo Calvelli is CEO International at RedBird Development Group and an Operating Partner, tasked with expanding and monetizing RedBird’s global sports, media, and entertainment portfolio. From 2020–25 he served as CEO of the ATP, where he launched the OneVision strategy, overhauled governance, founded Tennis Data Innovations, and delivered five straight years of double-digit revenue and profit growth.

A seasoned leader in luxury hospitality, Michel Chertouh brings a global track record of transformative success. Since spearheading the dramatic revival and reopening of Regent Hong Kong, the hotel has received top industry accolades—including being named the #1 City Hotel in Asia and Hong Kong by Travel + Leisure, and Best New Hotel at the Tatler Hong Kong Awards. Named one of Hong Kong’s Best General Managers in 2025, Michel is recognized for his strategic vision, cultural fluency, and dedication to excellence.

Michele Ciccarese, a professional marketer with international managerial experience, has established a firm career in Advertising and Sports that spans for more than 15 years working as an expert consultant in developing strategic partnerships and media strategies based in major cities like Milan (Italy), Dubai (UAE), London (UK) and New York (USA).

Yuchen (Ethan) Feng is a Boston-based Chinese entrepreneur, podcaster, innovation mentor. Driven by his passion to connect East and West, he has 15 years of management experience in sports media and global education. Ethan is the host of Football Café Podcast, No.1 listened Chinese-language football podcast and China Sports Podcast of the Year 2024. As founder of Football Café Media, he helps clubs, leagues and brands around the world to connect with audience and opportunities in China.

50 years old, 30 years experience in the futbol industry. last 10 years in China working as a sports director at several clubs and the CFA. Bachelor in sports and fitness, UEFA PRO , master degree in sports psychology and master degree in teams management and leadership. Mentor and tutor with clubs , professional athletes, referees , coaches and federations.

Marlon is an Attorney at Law who is Called to the Bar in the UK and Grenada. He is also the President of the Grenada Football Association. Marlon is also a former national team player for Grenada.

With a strong foundation in football management and grassroots development, I am the General Manager of a professional football club competing in the Cambodian Premier League. My leadership focuses on fostering a high-performance culture, ensuring operational excellence, and driving sustainable growth within the organization.

Jean-Baptiste Roy is Founding Partner at AST, specializing in investment and growth strategies across Sports, Health, Fitness, and Esports in Asia-Pacific. With 15+ years of experience in finance and capital advisory, he guides companies in leveraging regional opportunities. He mentors at global innovation hubs and lectures at top MBA programs. Jean-Baptiste holds an MSc in Corporate Finance and a Mandarin diploma from CUHK-Yale.

Board Member & Chief Global Strategy Officer at Kashima Antlers, a top J.League team. Since joining in 2011, he has led communications, commercial operations, and marketing, becoming one of the youngest board members in 2022. A FIFA Diploma in Club Management graduate, he has worked at multiple FIFA Club World Cups and oversaw press operations for Tokyo 2020.

Min Joo Kim is the Head of International Business Development at the Korea Professional Football League (K League), where she leads the league’s expansion across global markets through overseas marketing, media sales, sponsorship activations, and international partnerships. With over six years of experience in the sports industry, she previously oversaw the league’s media and broadcast operations, including global distribution and digital content strategy.

Based in Singapore, Echo Li is Global CCO at Dentsu Sports International, driving business growth worldwide. With 17+ years in sports marketing, she has led partnerships and fan engagement for AFC, UEFA, FIFA, F1, Manchester United, Atlético de Madrid, and more. Recognized as a Leaders Under 40 honoree, she served on the 2024 Cannes Lions Sport jury, championing a “think global, act local” approach.

Alicia Lui is the Founder and Interim Director of WISE. She founded WISE as a volunteer organization in 2017 with a few friends. In 2020 WISE received its tax-exempt status and from there on, Alicia has supported WISE to develop its programs to support underserved communities in Hong Kong to have access to sports and physical activity. Alicia is an avid sports person and enjoys all kinds of sports.

Jessica is Managing Director (Business and Legal) at Kitchee, with 12+ years in sports business, marketing, and events. A FIFA Diploma in Club Management candidate, she holds Master’s degrees in Sports Law and an EMBA. She’s led major matches in Hong Kong featuring clubs like Arsenal and Man Utd, guided Kitchee Academy to AFC two-star status, and drives youth development, partnerships, and community-based venue strategies.

John Sharkey is CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park, one of the world’s largest sports infrastructure projects. He leads its design, construction, and pre-opening phases, blending sports, retail, and entertainment. Formerly EVP Europe at ASM Global, he launched major venues across the UK and Europe. As CEO of the Scottish Exhibition Centre, he oversaw the SSE Hydro Arena. A proven leader in venue development, Sharkey sets gold standards in global sports and entertainment infrastructure.

Vicky, SVP, Regional Director, Asia, leads the Asia business for Wasserman, connecting fans and brands to passion-points in sport, music, entertainment and culture. Her focus is on building the business, team and Wasserman’s clients; working with global brands and rightsholders that want to grow in Asia, and local brands that want to expand globally. Throughout her time in the industry Vicky has spearheaded the creation of many global creative campaigns and brand strategies that lean into people’s passion-points.

Martin Thiess is General Manager China for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach since september 2017. In 2018, the club officially started local operations in China, opened an office and has been conducting manifold sportive and commercial projects ever since and sustainably grew its brand locally. Martin Thiess holds a university diploma in East-Asian Studies, majoring in economics and political science.

Luc is Head of International Business at FC Bayern Munich, overseeing offices in New York, Shanghai, and Bangkok. After graduating from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, he began his career in finance before joining Bayern’s International Strategy team in 2015. From 2021 to 2024, he served as Executive Assistant to the club’s CFO and CMO, playing a key role in global market expansion.

Peggy comes with a wealth of expertise and experience in the sports industry having worked in the public sector for more than 10 years. Her key focus areas are in sports management, events management, leadership & organization development, athlete management and use of sports technology for industry transformation. Peggy belongs to the pioneering batch that set up Singapore Sports School.

Sergi has been been working in Sports Marketing in GChina for the last 20 years and the last decade as a Managing Director of LaLiga in the territory, leading the development of the lesgue in the territory. With a deep expetize in media and commrrcial partnerships, he has driven LaLiga as a top property in the region.

Benjamin is heading BVB’s office in Shanghai which was established in 2017; Formerly he was leading the China business for league-opponent Bayer 04 Leverkusen and transferred to Borussia Dortmund. With his whole family coming from the area of Dortmund he was born with a black & yellow heart. With its presence in East Asia Borussia Dortmund is emphasizing its efforts to maintain the leader for youth football development and to be close to its magnificent fans & partners.

Ben is the senior figurehead for Chelsea FC across Asia, driving brand and commercial interests for Chelsea in the region by building, developing & executing key partnerships & fan engagement activities. His 15 years of experience comes predominantly from the Sports and luxury Automotive sectors, building brand & driving revenue for brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, and FC Barcelona. He has been in Asia for over 8 years and thrives off using the power of sport as a vehicle for meaningful change.

Crystal has dedicated 20 years to the property development industry, showcasing her expertise in launching new retail projects across mainland China and Hong Kong. Her notable achievements include the successful openings of K11 Musea and Kai Tak Sports Park. Crystal’s unique insight into integrating retail experiences with sports and entertainment events has set her apart in the industry, making her a visionary leader in creating dynamic and engaging spaces.

Philipp Wunderlich is Commercial Director at Red Bull Soccer Japan, leading the growth of RB Omiya. With over 15 years of experience in global sports, he focuses on strategy, brand positioning, and long-term revenue development. His background includes senior roles at Red Bull Global Soccer, FC Bayern, Liverpool FC, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation. He holds degrees from Northumbria University and German Sport University Cologne.

Mr. Mike Yang Jui Kang has 18 years of N. America Market plus over 10 years of China Market successful track records in sports industry and sports technology innovation development; also has accumulated many Global and China’s top-notch Sports IP, resources, network, expertise and Know-Hows. Mr. Yang has founded several successful sports industry companies and hold executive positions in many world-class sports brands enterprises.

Rufio has delivered multiple landmark projects that have helped redefine sports engagement in China. He oversees an impressive portfolio of clients that includes Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea FC, the Qatar World Cup, UEFA, and the IOC – driving digital campaigns that resonate with millions of fans. His strategic vision has helped expand Mailman’s influence across global sports organisations.