Get to know
Our people
Executive Leadership Team
The Global Institute of Sport executive leadership team has been formed to guide the strategic direction of the institution in order to maximise the academic delivery, and networking and career opportunities.
Sharona Friedman
President & CEO
James McKeown
Chief Operating Officer
Dr Mike Walsh
Principal
Industry Advisory Board
With representatives across Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, The GIS Industry Advisory Board influences and shape the education provision of GIS to enable the next generation of sports professionals to become leaders in their field.
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Jason Brisbane (Chair)
CEO, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby
Mushtaq Al Waeli
Senior Executive Advisor, PwC Middle East
Luke Cheyne
Head of Player Development & Wellbeing, Rugby Players Association
Jon Dutton
CEO, British Cycling
Michelle Farrer
Head of Player Care & Engagement, The Premier League
Russell James
Founder, BAZBALLERS Consulting (formerly of England & Wales Cricket Board)
Abiola Ijasanmi
Founder, African Sports Investor
Chris Smalling
Professional footballer, Al-Fayha (formerly of AS Roma and Manchester United)
Tony Scholes
Chief Football Officer, The Premier League
Misha Sher
Global Head of Sport, Entertainment & Culture, EssenceMediacom
Jo Tongue
CEO, Tongue Tied Management
Simon Van Kerckhoven
Founder, Zurafa Football Capital
Americas
Jonathan Martinez (Chair)
Director of Football Development & Club Licensing, CONCACAF
Xavier Asensi
President of Business Operations, Inter Miami CF
Mike Bartlett
CEO, Canada Basketball
Karina LeBlanc
Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth Development, RAJ Sports (Portland Thorns/WNBA team)
Caesar Lopez
Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride
Sarah Kate (Skate) Noftsinger
Chief Business Officer, Atlanta United FC
Oguchi Onyewu
Former professional footballer & Vice President of Sporting, US Soccer
Nelson Rodriguez
Chief of Staff, Officer of the Commissioner, Major League Soccer (MLS)
Michael Shaw
Advisor, OpenFortune
Chris Shewfelt
Vice President, Business Operations, Toronto FC & Toronto Argonauts
Nyea Sturman
Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Orlando Magic
Humza Teherany
Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
Asia-Pacific
James Rosengarten (Chair)
General Manager, Melbourne Renegades
Paul Cammack
Strategy & Special Projects, Tennis Australia
Gen Dohrmann
CEO, Table Tennis Victoria
Matthew Hart
General Manager – Commercial, Venues NSW
Cameron Honey
Founder & CEO, Current Future
Kevin Jang
Managing Director, CAA Stellar Korea
Brad Lloyd
General Manager of Football, Carlton Football Club
Deep Mukherjee
Advisor, Cricket Australia
Sheila Nguyen
Associate Consultant, Think Beyond (formerly of FIFA Women’s World Cup Aus & NZ 2023)
Megan O’Reilly
Chief Operating Officer, Melbourne & Olympic Parks
Chantella Perera
Group General Manager, KOJO
Kelly Rourke
CEO, Football Coaches Australia