Dynamic leader with 20+ years in football, management, blending passion with expertise to drive gender equality and youth empowerment in sports. Spearheads the Tximist Foundation and Cup, fostering global networks and advancing women’s leadership. Eager to bring my visionary approach and inclusive leadership to your team.
MeettheindustryleadersjoiningWomen'sFootballSummitBilbao
Influential decision-makers gathered to design the football we need.
Speakers
Women's Football Week 2025
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Aintzane Encinas
President - Tximist Foundation
President – Tximist Foundation
Aintzane Encinas
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Silvia González Morcillo
Researcher - University of Deusto
Researcher – University of Deusto
Silvia González Morcillo
With a background on sport sciences and sport management, Silvia’s professional itinerary has encompassed both private and public organisations in the sports sector or organisations using sport as a powerful tool for social goals. Her most remarkable experiences include her work at the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace on priority areas such as sport & gender or sport & youth development, her role as a Deputy Director of the Balearic Islands Government’s foundation in charge of sport development programmes for young athletes and safeguarding, her position as a Chief Operating Officer at cycling events, her research on sustainable development and active tourism as well as her university lecturing on sport management, sport leisure and recreation, and sustainability in sport. Currently, she is a researcher in the Leisure, Culture and Tourism for Social Transformation group at the University of Deusto.
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Khalida Popal
Founder & Director - Girl Power Organisation
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Arantza Acha
Director - UN Etxea
Director – UN Etxea
Arantza Acha
I have consolidated experience designing, implementing and evaluating multi-stakeholders’ programmes on Sustainable Development and Human Rights. I am especially interested in incorporating the local development perspective through international collaborations, putting people and the planet at the center. I believe that open and transformative participation in the construction of a strong, pluralistic multilateralism that can respond to the great contemporary challenges is essential.
I have 20 years of professional experience in academia, United Nations and civil society organizations, working closely with public institutions and the private sector.
Currently, I am working as a Director at UNtxea, Spain. I regularly participate in multi-stakeholders processes to advance in the #Agenda2030 from a Human Rights perspective, at the local, national and international level. -
Iñaki Alonso Romero
Director- Kunina Sports
Director – Kunina Sports
Iñaki Alonso Romero
Postgraduate in Sports Innovation at the University of Mondragón. 2019.
– Higher Technician in Sports Activities. 2013 Kirolene (Basque Government Department of Education).
– (1998/1999): Master of International Expert in Humanitarian Aid (University of Deusto and University of Uppsala (Sweden).
– 1992 – 1997: Law Degree at the University of Deusto Bilbao (Spain).
Nowdays Director of KUNINA SPORT AND EDUCATION CONSULTING. Former Head activism. -
Eukene Arana
Directora y experta en protección a la infancia e igualdad en el deporte - Zain
Directora y experta en protección a la infancia e igualdad en el deporte – Zain
Eukene Arana
I have a degree in Primary Education and an equality technician. I have an outstanding career as an expert in prevention, protection and well-being of children and adolescents in sport. I am part of the Basque Government’s council of experts in the field of protection in sport, contributing my knowledge and experience to guarantee safe and healthy environments for young athletes. As the promoter of the first presentation on sexual abuse in childhood in a regional parliament, I have worked tirelessly to make visible and combat this serious problem. In addition, I have done political advocacy in Honduras and El Salvador, addressing crucial issues related to childhood and sexual and reproductive health. My commitment to protecting children and promoting equality drives me to continue working to create a fairer and safer world for all children and adolescents.
I am part of the Basque Government’s council of experts in the field of protection in sport, contributing my knowledge and experience to guarantee safe and healthy environments for young athletes. As the promoter of the first presentation on sexual abuse in childhood in a regional parliament, I have worked tirelessly to make visible and combat this serious problem. In addition, I have done political advocacy in Honduras and El Salvador, addressing crucial issues related to childhood and sexual and reproductive health. -
Elif Dogan
Principal Engagement Manager - AWS
Principal Engagement Manager – AWS
Elif Dogan
Elif leads AWS Professional Services’ Media, Entertainment, Games, and Sports division across DACH and Central Europe, spearheading global initiatives that revolutionize how organizations create, deliver, and monetize content. At AWS, she champions the adoption of cloud solutions, AI/ML technologies, and generative AI to transform content production, enhance fan engagement, and implement advanced analytics for customers worldwide.
Her career highlights include breaking barriers as the first female and youngest Director at Enstoa, where she orchestrated large-scale digital transformation projects for enterprise clients and Fortune 500 companies. During her tenure as Associate Lecturer and Deputy Director of Columbia University’s Technology Management program, she cultivated a robust network of 300+ global technology executives, bridging academia and industry while guising the next generation of technology leaders.
Combining an engineering background with an M.S. in Technology Management from New York University, Elif brings practical experience in turning technological capabilities into business results. She focuses on helping organizations adapt to rapidly evolving digital landscapes and capture new market opportunities. -
Nerea Ortiz Olarra
Vice-President - Athletic Club
Vice-President – Athletic Club
Nerea Ortiz Olarra
Telecommunication engineer from Bilbao School of Engineering by the University of the Basque Country, Executive Master’s Degree in Business Management and Administration by the University of Barcelona, Master’s Degree on Gender Equality from the International University of Valencia, Nerea Ortiz has developed its professional activity in the area of the engineering, consulting and the management of science. In 2023 she was professionally recognized with the Green Science Talent Award, by Media-Attack.
She is operations manager of the Excellence Research Center BC3 Basque Center for Climate Change since June 2008, after a 7 years’ consulting career in Accenture. BC3, is an internationally recognized research centre for the quality of its work on the causes and consequences of climate change.
Nerea Ortiz, is also vice president of Athletic Club and Athletic Club Fundazioa since 2022 with a relevant role in the social and institutional area of the club. Athletic Club is recognized for its unique sports philosophy, for belonging to its members, (association owned by its members), for its strong roots in the territory and the impact in the society, and for its sports achievements, both, in the male and female teams. -
Tammy Parlour
CEO - Women's Sport Trust
CEO – Women’s Sport Trust
Tammy Parlour
Tammy Parlour MBE co-founded Women’s Sport Trust in 2012 and leads the organisation as CEO.
Tammy’s role involves working with leaders from across sport, media and business to understand how to practically raise visibility, increase impact and create a stronger women’s sport ecosystem. She was awarded an MBE in the New Year 2019 Honours List for services to gender equality in sport.
With an interest in women’s football, she also volunteers as a Board Director for her local team – AFC Wimbledon Women FC – and sits on The FA Women’s National League Board as a Club representative. -
Madeleine Penfold
Photographer & Director - Madeleine Penfold Studios Ltd
Photographer & Director – Madeleine Penfold Studios Ltd
Madeleine Penfold
Madeleine Penfold is a visionary photographer/director with a passion for capturing the immense potential of sports to achieve social change.
Mads tells powerful stories authentically, creating portraits and films that engage audiences and feel alive. She is now one of the most recognised photographers operating in the world of sports and storytelling.
With over 15 years behind the lens and despite rapid changes across the industry, her mission is to create work that encourages people to put their energy into pursuing passions, not repressing them. Ultimately, image shapes perception, and sport shapes culture. This is why sport has the immense potential to achieve social change. -
Johana Ruíz-Olabuenaga
Directora Area Social - Athletic Club
Directora Area Social – Athletic Club
Johana Ruiz-Olabuenaga
I am in charge of the social area at the Athletic Football Club, and therefore the FOUNDATION. Before this I have been working 17 years in a dairy company as marketing and sales director.
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Bex Smith
CEO - Crux Sports
CEO – Crux Sports
Bex Smith
Former UWCL winner and captain of the New Zealand National team turned business exec, former FIFA Head of Competitions, VP of the Women’s Game at COPA90, now founder of Crux Sports working across brands, clubs, federations, players and investors to drive positive sustainable growth into the women’s game.
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Christina Taylor
Director - The Purpose Agency
Director -Purpose Agency
Christina Taylor
Christina has helped female players to build their commercial value off pitch. She is passionate about the pay disparity and uses her skill set to help them monetise and create legacy so that the players she works with can set themselves up for a comfortable retirement. She has excelled in growing the social media presence of her clients. For instance, she has helped grow Jamaica International and Birmingham Womens FC footballer Shiv Wilson’s following from 500,000 to 1.9 million and increased Mary Earps’ followers from 50,000 to 2.5 million, demonstrating expertise in audience engagement and digital strategy. Her clients have been featured prominently in renowned publications like Vogue, GQ, and Women’s Health, as well as making appearances on a variety of TV shows, enhancing their visibility and influence across mainstream media. She also negotiates commercial deals, such as Mary Earps being the first female footballer face of Victoria’s Secret, the face of NFL UK’s Superbowl campaign and more.
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Julie Uhrman
Founder and President - Angel City FC
Founder and President – Angel City FC
Julie Uhrman
Co-Founder and President of Angel City Football Club (ACFC), Los Angeles’ newest professional women’s soccer team that debuted on April 29, 2022, as an NWSL expansion team. Uhrman founded ACFC with Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and venture capitalist, 776 founder & Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. ACFC is one of the only majority female-founded and run professional sports teams in the world. Uhrman has also been named a member of Adweek’s 2021 and 2020 Most Powerful Women In Sports, one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company, and to the Creative 50 list by Advertising Age. Julie is active in the Los Angeles sports and technology communities scene. She is a board member of the LA Sports and Entertainment Council, The Rose Bowl Institute, the LA Sports Council, an active executive in the LA Chapter of WISE (Women in Sports and Events) and is part of two SPACs focused on sports and gaming/entertainment. She is also part of the DraftKings’ All-Star Network as an Advisor to Drive by DraftKings.
Before ACFC, Uhrman served as the EVP and General Manager of OTT Ventures at Lionsgate, Head of Platform Business Development at Jaunt, a virtual reality content startup, and founder of OUYA, a pioneering Android-based game console. -
Marieke Visser
Founder & CEO - HERA United
Founder & CEO -HERA United
Marieke Visser
Entrepreneur and writer on a mission closing the gender gap. Founder HERA United, the first professional female football club in the Netherlands.
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Chloe Morgan
Head - She's A Baller
Head – She’s A Baller
Chloe Morgan
I am the Head of She’s A Baller – a women’s football social media platform and creative agency. Before this, I was the women’s football editor at The Athletic and before this I played in the WSL and Women’s Championship.
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Fabiola Maia Wilcox
VP Marketing & Communications - FootballCo
VP Marketing & Communications – FootballCo
Fabiola Maia Wilcox
Jumping directly from university into the creative environments of Brazilian advertising agencies, Fabiola Maia Wilcox began her career as a copywriter. Fabi later moved to the UK, producing content for tech giants like Apple, BlackBerry, Sony, and Nokia. In 2014, Fabi joined Barclays, where she led and delivered global digital brand projects before moving to Southampton FC, where she spent two years leading the Brand Experience & Comms function for the Premier League club. Currently, as VP of Marketing & Communications at FootballCo, Fabi focuses on expanding the brand’s reach by collaborating with brands, clubs, leagues, and players globally. Originally from Brazil, Fabi is passionate about the women’s game, and her long-term goal is to bring more women into the sport, believing that you don’t need to play football to succeed in the women’s game.
“I value this event as excellent for people who work in football”
Fatma Samoura
Secretary General, FIFA
The World Football Summit Stage
Where Football Industry Legends Meet