World Cup of Healing: No mothers, no football
On July 10th in New York City, World Football Summit and FC Mother came together to host the World Cup of Healing—an event where football transcended competition to become a catalyst for connection, reflection, and social impact. It was a movement that used the world’s game to rebuild trust, community, and hope in a divided world.
A strategic partnership.
A special city
A strategic partnership. A special city
Why FC Mother
Because behind every football icon, there’s a mother who made it possible.
FC Mother is the result of a decade-long global research initiative to address one of humanity’s most urgent challenges: maternal healing.
Their model, Healing Sports (H-Sports), transforms football into a tool for measurable public health outcomes. By embedding wellness within club culture, FC Mother is changing how the world’s most popular sport can serve humanity.
Why New Yok City
New York is more than a global city. It’s a cultural powerhouse, a hub of innovation, and a beacon for changemakers across industries.
With the FIFA Club World Cup arriving in the U.S. for the first time, World Cup of Healing becomes the perfect stage to spark conversations that transcend the pitch.
This July, New York becomes the home of the World Cup of Healing.
Be there to witness how football is driving measurable change in maternal health — and shaping a new vision for the future of the game.
The numbers that Defined the event
The numbers that
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World Cup of Healing:
No mothers, no football
World Cup of Healing: No mothers, no football
Past speakers at
World Cup of Healing
Past speakers at World Cup of Healing
Jan
Aleesie
Cofunder & Managin Director
Jan
Aleesie
Jan Alessie is the Co-founder and Managing Director of World Football Summit (WFS), a global platform for the football industry. Since its inception in 2016, WFS has hosted over 27 events across four continents, bringing together leaders from clubs, leagues, and organizations to discuss the future of football. Alessie oversees the company’s operations, strategic partnerships, and international expansion.
Contessa
Brewer
Correspondent – CNBC
Contessa
Brewer
Contessa Brewer is a correspondent and substitute anchor at CNBC, where she covers casinos, gaming, and breaking news stories. She joined CNBC in 2017, bringing extensive experience from her previous roles at MSNBC and NBC News. Known for her sharp reporting and on-air presence, Brewer is a trusted voice on major economic and social topics across U.S. media.
Dr. Zack
Bush
Founder & CEO – Seraphic Group
Dr. Zack
Bush
Dr. Zach Bush is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice care. He is internationally recognized for his work on the microbiome and its impact on human and environmental health. Dr. Bush founded Seraphic Group, Farmer’s Footprint, and Resource Dynamics to develop root-cause solutions for human and ecological health. He also leads The M Clinic, focusing on integrative medicine and holistic healing.
Susan
Dorrell
Mom – TMJ
Susan
Dorrell
Stacey
E. Rosen
Executive Director – Northwell Health
Stacey
E. Rosen
Dr. Stacey E. Rosen is Executive Director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health and 2025–2026 Volunteer President of the American Heart Association. A cardiologist with over 30 years’ experience, she is a national leader in women’s cardiovascular health and healthcare equity. She is co-author of Heart Smarter for Women and co-producer of the documentary Ms. Diagnosed.
Kevin
Holcomb
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Northwell Health
Kevin
Holcomb
Dr. Kevin Holcomb is Chair of OB/GYN at North Shore University Hospital, LIJ Medical Center, and Zucker School of Medicine. A board-certified gynecologic oncologist with 25+ years of experience, he’s a leader in women’s health, research, and education. Formerly at Weill Cornell, he focuses on gynecologic cancer, maternal health disparities, and advancing compassionate, community-based care.
Alejandro
Hütt
Host City Manager FIFA Monterrey – FWC26 Monterrey
Alejandro
Hütt
Alejandro Hütt is Host City Manager for Monterrey, a FIFA World Cup 26™ venue. With 20+ years in sports, he has led key roles at Monarcas Morelia, FC Juárez, and the Mexican Baseball League. Known for building strategic partnerships, fan engagement platforms, and major sponsorship deals, he has also consulted for CONADE on sports-education projects. His expertise spans brand development and social impact in sports.
Jennie
Joseph
Founder and President – Commonsense Childbirth
Jennie
Joseph
Jennie Joseph is a British-trained midwife who fights to ensure every person has their healthiest possible pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience with dignity and support. Jennie created The JJ Way® which is an evidence-based, maternity care model delivering patient-centered, culturally-congruent care to people in what she calls ‘materno-toxic zones’ in the USA.
Heloisa
Lessa
Midwife – FC Mother
Heloisa
Lessa
Dr. Heloisa Lessa is a certified nurse-midwife and a pioneer of humanized childbirth in Brazil. Since 1989, she’s led home birth care in Rio, working with Indigenous communities and founding the Michel Odent Institute and Parto Ecológico. She’s won awards including the 2018 Human Rights in Childbirth Prize and 2024 Women Who Inspire award. A global speaker and author, she now coordinates the Brazil team for FC Mother.
Sir Dr. Todd
Ovokaitys
Chief Medical Officer – QiGenix Clinics
Sir Dr. Todd
Ovokaitys
Dr. Todd Ovokaitys is a Johns Hopkins–trained physician and bioscientist renowned for his pioneering work in regenerative medicine. He co-invented the Strachan-Ovokaitys Node Generator (SONG) Laser, a technology that activates Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs) for tissue regeneration and age reversal. As Chief Medical Officer at QiGenix Clinics, he integrates advanced laser therapies with personalized anti-aging protocols, aiming to enhance longevity and cellular health.
Football's heartbeat: Mothers
Mothers play a critical role in football — often behind the scenes, yet foundational to the sport’s global ecosystem.
- They raise the athletes.
- They build the communities.
- They pass down the love for the beautiful game across generations.
With the World Cup of Healing, maternal well-being is no longer a side conversation — it’s becoming a key priority within football’s future.
At World Football Summit, we believe football can do more than entertain, that’s why we’re proud to partner with FC Mother as our official Health, Longevity & Wellness Partner.
Together, we’re taking on a $27.2 trillion global challenge: maternal health.
By activating the power of 5 billion football fans, we aim to deliver real, measurable impact — starting with the people who give us life.
- 54 million life years
- Science-backed solutions
- Community-led change
This is football, reimagined for purpose.
WFS New York key figures
Its time to equalize the potential of the industry in the region to the passion for football it beholds
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Past speakers at WFS Americas 2024
Andrea
Agnelli
President- Juventus FC
Andrea
Agnelli
A successful businessman – since May 2010, Agnelli has served as chairman of Italian association football club Juventus, which returned to Italian football dominance throughout the 2010s with nine consecutive record-breaking Serie A titles, along with four consecutive national doubles and one domestic treble. Under Agnelli’s presidency, Juventus also returned to European competitiveness, reaching one UEFA Europa League semi-final and two UEFA Champions League finals.
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.
Hammad
Albalawi
Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™ 2034 bid unit at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation – Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Hammad
Albalawi
Hammad Albalawi leads Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2034 bid, aiming to host the first 48-team tournament in a single nation under the slogan “Growing. Together.” Previously, he was Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategic Planning & Investment at the Ministry of Sport, overseeing the National Sports and Football Strategies. He also led the privatization of state-owned sports assets, boosting investment appeal and managing IP projects like the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Greg
Bettinelli
Partner – The Chernin Group
Greg
Bettinelli
Greg Bettinelli is a Partner at TCG, investing in sports, media, and passion-led brands. Formerly at Upfront Ventures, he backed companies like GOAT and ThredUp. He was CMO at HauteLook (acquired by Nordstrom), held executive roles at Live Nation, and led StubHub’s acquisition while at eBay. He sits on several boards and holds a BA from the University of San Diego and an MBA from Pepperdine University.
Michael
Broughton
Sports Industry Consultant & Advisor
Michael
Broughton
“For over two decades Michael has worked across the top levels of sports, media, and technology. In addition to his role as an OTT Sports principal and co-host, he is also a partner at Acceleration Equity, based in London. He has served as a senior executive at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, responsible for its strategic relationships and investment strategy with big data and tech companies globally, while also supporting its emerging Gaming and eSports group.”
Fernando
Carro
CEO – Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH
Fernando
Carro
Fernando Carro has been CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen since 2018, leading the club to its first Bundesliga title in 2024, along with the DFB Cup, Supercup, and a Europa League final. He represents the Bundesliga as an ECA board member, sits on Bundesliga International’s supervisory board, and contributes to UEFA committees. Previously, he spent 24 years at Bertelsmann, including as CEO of Arvato, and served as international president of AIESEC.
Giorgio
Chiellini
Head of Football Institutional Relations – Juventus Football Club
Giorgio
Chiellini
I’m a professional former football player, transitioning now in the management position. Part of Common Goal and other social initiatives.
Ricardo
Fort
Founder – Sport By Fort Consulting
Ricardo
Fort
Ricardo Fort is one of the most respected names in the global sponsorship business. As the only executive to lead the Global Sponsorship Departments of two FIFA and IOC sponsors – Visa and Coca-Cola – he successfully negotiated billions of dollars in sponsorship contracts with the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA, athletes, the NFL, Formula 1 and Formula 1 teams, and many other worldwide sports and entertainment properties.
Andrea
Agnelli
President- Juventus FC
Andrea
Agnelli
A successful businessman – since May 2010, Agnelli has served as chairman of Italian association football club Juventus, which returned to Italian football dominance throughout the 2010s with nine consecutive record-breaking Serie A titles, along with four consecutive national doubles and one domestic treble. Under Agnelli’s presidency, Juventus also returned to European competitiveness, reaching one UEFA Europa League semi-final and two UEFA Champions League finals.
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.
Hammad
Albalawi
Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™ 2034 bid unit at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation – Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Hammad
Albalawi
Hammad Albalawi leads Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2034 bid, aiming to host the first 48-team tournament in a single nation under the slogan “Growing. Together.” Previously, he was Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategic Planning & Investment at the Ministry of Sport, overseeing the National Sports and Football Strategies. He also led the privatization of state-owned sports assets, boosting investment appeal and managing IP projects like the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Greg
Bettinelli
Partner – The Chernin Group
Greg
Bettinelli
Greg Bettinelli is a Partner at TCG, investing in sports, media, and passion-led brands. Formerly at Upfront Ventures, he backed companies like GOAT and ThredUp. He was CMO at HauteLook (acquired by Nordstrom), held executive roles at Live Nation, and led StubHub’s acquisition while at eBay. He sits on several boards and holds a BA from the University of San Diego and an MBA from Pepperdine University.
Michael
Broughton
Sports Industry Consultant & Advisor
Michael
Broughton
“For over two decades Michael has worked across the top levels of sports, media, and technology. In addition to his role as an OTT Sports principal and co-host, he is also a partner at Acceleration Equity, based in London. He has served as a senior executive at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, responsible for its strategic relationships and investment strategy with big data and tech companies globally, while also supporting its emerging Gaming and eSports group.”
Fernando
Carro
CEO – Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH
Fernando
Carro
Fernando Carro has been CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen since 2018, leading the club to its first Bundesliga title in 2024, along with the DFB Cup, Supercup, and a Europa League final. He represents the Bundesliga as an ECA board member, sits on Bundesliga International’s supervisory board, and contributes to UEFA committees. Previously, he spent 24 years at Bertelsmann, including as CEO of Arvato, and served as international president of AIESEC.
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