Meet the leaders joining WFS Monterrey 2025
Influential decision-makers gathered to design the football we need.
Confirmed speakers at WFS Monterrey 2025
Grace
Ahrens
Executive Director – Women in Soccer
Grace
Ahrens
Grace Ahrens is the Executive Director of Women in Soccer, an organization committed to creating opportunities for women and people with underrepresented gender identities who work (or want to work) in soccer. Growing up in Mexico and with over 10 years of experience in workforce development, branding and media, she brings a deep understanding of diversity and expertise in driving inclusive solutions.
Víctor
Alvarado
CEO/Founder- Spiel Consulting
Víctor
Alvarado
Mexican-born sports marketing strategist in Berlin. 25+ years connecting fans, brands, and football via digital innovation & strategy. Led “Mi Selección MX” digital growth (2014/2018 World Cups). At [current company in Germany] & Spiel Consulting, helping clubs/leagues engage fans, activate sponsors, and grow with data & creativity. Collaborated with Adidas, Coca-Cola, Movistar, Visa, FC Bayern. Leaders Under 40 nominee (Digital & Tech).
Mikel
Arriola
Executive President – LigaMX
Mikel
Arriola
Mikel Arriola, born in Mexico City, holds a Law Degree from Universidad Anahuac del Norte, a master’s in Public Policy from LSE, and a master’s in Law from the University of Chicago, which awarded him the Professional Merit Award in 2017. His public sector career began in 2002 as Litigation Coordinator for Banrural. He served in various roles, including Compliance Officer at Rural Financial, and held several positions in the Finance Ministry (SHCP).
Mauricio
Culebro
President – TIGRES UANL
Mauricio
Culebro
With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the sports and entertainment industry, Mauricio Culebro is the President of CLUB TIGRES DE LA UANL. Before joining Tigres he was the Chief Operating Officer for the MEXICAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION and Mexico´s leader for the organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to take place in the United States, Canada and México. He was the President of CLUB DE FÚTBOL AMÉRICA from 2017 till 2019 where he also held different managerial positions for several years.
Alejandro
Hütt
Host City Manager FIFA Monterrey – FWC26 Monterrey
Alejandro
Hütt
Experienced professional specialized in sports spectacles industry.
Olek
Loewenstein
Global President of Sports – TelevisaUnivision
Olek
Loewenstein
Olek Loewenstein is President of Global Sports Business at TelevisaUnivision, overseeing all sports content operations in the U.S. and Mexico. He leads TUDN’s bi-national production hub, delivering over 4,000 hours of studio shows, 6,000 hours of live TV events, and 4,500+ streaming hours on ViX annually. Under his leadership, TelevisaUnivision holds the largest live soccer portfolio, featuring Liga MX, the Mexican national team, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and more.
Jurgen
Mainka
Chief Tournament Officer, Mexico – FWC2026
Jurgen
Mainka
Jurgen currently serves as the Chief Tournament Officer, Mexico, FIFA World Cup 2026™, where he leads the tournament’s strategy and planning for the Host Country and its three Host Cities of Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City. Jurgen is part of FIFA’s Executive Team across Canada, Mexico and the United States that is charged with delivering the biggest FIFA World Cup™ ever in 2026.
Iñigo
Riestra
Secretary General / CLO -FMF
Iñigo
Riestra
Iñigo holds a Law degree from Universidad Anáhuac and master’s degrees in Corporate Law (Universidad Panamericana) and International Sports Law and Management (ISDE, Madrid). He worked nearly 10 years as a corporate lawyer, focusing on contracts, debt placements, and regulatory compliance. He joined FMF in 2013 as Manager of International Affairs and became Director in 2015, representing FMF before FIFA, CONCACAF, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Débora
Saldanha
Head of Innovation – Clube Atlético Mineiro
Débora
Saldanha
Débora Saldanha is Head of Innovation and New Business in sports, with over 10 years of experience in digital transformation, technology, and fan experience. Named one of Brazil’s Top 50 Innovation Executives (2024) and Latin America’s Best Sports Executive (2023), she leads award-winning initiatives at Clube Atlético Mineiro and speaks internationally on innovation, digital culture, and the future of sports.
Grace
Ahrens
Executive Director – Women in Soccer
Grace
Ahrens
Grace Ahrens is the Executive Director of Women in Soccer, an organization committed to creating opportunities for women and people with underrepresented gender identities who work (or want to work) in soccer. Growing up in Mexico and with over 10 years of experience in workforce development, branding and media, she brings a deep understanding of diversity and expertise in driving inclusive solutions.
Víctor
Alvarado
CEO/Founder- Spiel Consulting
Víctor
Alvarado
Mexican-born sports marketing strategist in Berlin. 25+ years connecting fans, brands, and football via digital innovation & strategy. Led “Mi Selección MX” digital growth (2014/2018 World Cups). At [current company in Germany] & Spiel Consulting, helping clubs/leagues engage fans, activate sponsors, and grow with data & creativity. Collaborated with Adidas, Coca-Cola, Movistar, Visa, FC Bayern. Leaders Under 40 nominee (Digital & Tech).
Mikel
Arriola
Executive President – LigaMX
Mikel
Arriola
Mikel Arriola, born in Mexico City, holds a Law Degree from Universidad Anahuac del Norte, a master’s in Public Policy from LSE, and a master’s in Law from the University of Chicago, which awarded him the Professional Merit Award in 2017. His public sector career began in 2002 as Litigation Coordinator for Banrural. He served in various roles, including Compliance Officer at Rural Financial, and held several positions in the Finance Ministry (SHCP).
Mauricio
Culebro
President – TIGRES UANL
Mauricio
Culebro
With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the sports and entertainment industry, Mauricio Culebro is the President of CLUB TIGRES DE LA UANL. Before joining Tigres he was the Chief Operating Officer for the MEXICAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION and Mexico´s leader for the organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to take place in the United States, Canada and México. He was the President of CLUB DE FÚTBOL AMÉRICA from 2017 till 2019 where he also held different managerial positions for several years.
Alejandro
Hütt
Host City Manager FIFA Monterrey – FWC26 Monterrey
Alejandro
Hütt
Experienced professional specialized in sports spectacles industry.
Olek
Loewenstein
Global President of Sports – TelevisaUnivision
Olek
Loewenstein
Olek Loewenstein is President of Global Sports Business at TelevisaUnivision, overseeing all sports content operations in the U.S. and Mexico. He leads TUDN’s bi-national production hub, delivering over 4,000 hours of studio shows, 6,000 hours of live TV events, and 4,500+ streaming hours on ViX annually. Under his leadership, TelevisaUnivision holds the largest live soccer portfolio, featuring Liga MX, the Mexican national team, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and more.
Jurgen
Mainka
Chief Tournament Officer, Mexico – FWC2026
Jurgen
Mainka
Jurgen currently serves as the Chief Tournament Officer, Mexico, FIFA World Cup 2026™, where he leads the tournament’s strategy and planning for the Host Country and its three Host Cities of Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City. Jurgen is part of FIFA’s Executive Team across Canada, Mexico and the United States that is charged with delivering the biggest FIFA World Cup™ ever in 2026.
Iñigo
Riestra
Secretary General / CLO -FMF
Iñigo
Riestra
Iñigo holds a Law degree from Universidad Anáhuac and master’s degrees in Corporate Law (Universidad Panamericana) and International Sports Law and Management (ISDE, Madrid). He worked nearly 10 years as a corporate lawyer, focusing on contracts, debt placements, and regulatory compliance. He joined FMF in 2013 as Manager of International Affairs and became Director in 2015, representing FMF before FIFA, CONCACAF, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Débora
Saldanha
Head of Innovation – Clube Atlético Mineiro
Débora
Saldanha
Débora Saldanha is Head of Innovation and New Business in sports, with over 10 years of experience in digital transformation, technology, and fan experience. Named one of Brazil’s Top 50 Innovation Executives (2024) and Latin America’s Best Sports Executive (2023), she leads award-winning initiatives at Clube Atlético Mineiro and speaks internationally on innovation, digital culture, and the future of sports.
World Football Summit Speakers
Since 2016, WFS has welcomed the football industry leaders who are shaping the future of football.
World Football Summit Speakers On stage
World Football Summit Speakers
On stage
