Meet the mentors: IGNITX x ESBS mentorship programme

Andres Santi Gonzalez

Andres, a multilingual professional, boasts a successful six-year track record in international sports events. He excels in stressful environments, demonstrating the ability to efficiently respond to evolving project priorities and communicate effectively with team members and external stakeholders. As a recent Creative Event Management Masters graduate, he highlights his unwavering commitment to expanding horizons and passion for events.

Sophie Laporte

Sophie is a self-driven and highly motivated individual who has worked on projects in several countries where she has experienced the organisation of various international sporting events from different perspectives. Her expertise in event and team management allows her to build relationships at all operational levels and among different cultures. Comfortable dealing with the pressure of working on multiple projects, she is always looking for a new challenge to learn and grow in a dynamic and professional environment.

Pauline Bohnec

Pauline has designed and delivered corporate hospitality projects for some of the world’s leading brands at the highest level. She is adept at working alongside as well as to lead a variety of stakeholders, partners and teammates whilst understanding the different needs and priorities each has in successfully delivering a project. Her 25 years of experience at a multitude of sporting events globally contributes towards her excellent mentoring and relationship building skills regardless of where she operates. Pauline is currently working on the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Tyler Ffrench

Tyler pivoted from a career in civil engineering back into the sporting world in 2011, after having formerly been an athlete (gymnast). His 12 years of experience span a multitude of single and multi-sport international events. Tyler excels through his technical expertise, attention to detail, and leadership style, while his primary focus is on people and building diverse teams to make event delivery not only successful, but also fun.

Ilva Biedre

Spearheading the European Week of Sport #BeActive efforts in Latvia for 3 years running, Ilva is also currently a Member of the Executive Board of the European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) and participates actively in many sport-related activities organised by the European Union. With a background in International Client Relations and Services at several Olympic and Paralympics games, Ilva has a strong understanding of the organisation of international multi-sport and community sport events.

Daniela Negreda

Daniela Negreda is a Brazilian and Portuguese internationally experienced Senior Marketing Leader. She has know-how in both the corporate and the sport industry from working in Kimberly-Clark Corporation for 13 years and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for 7 years. Her broad marketing experience include brand building, business development, research and insights, product management and retail strategies.

Vanessa Sales

After the excitement and challenges of working at some of the greatest sports events in the world, Vanessa decided to use her experience in the Major Events fields of Project Management, Event Planning and Operations to bring a new perspective to her career. Vanessa recently founded her own business as a career growth coach and consultant, using her Master’s degree in Positive Psychology and a Life Coaching certification to coach and mentor other professionals, ensuring that their steps are aligned with their life values and long-term goals which reflect the true growth in one’s career.

Tracie Carlsund

Tracie brings with her over 20 years of international workforce and talent planning and delivery across many mega and international sporting events. Tracie’s skills in recruitment, training and delivery fields and globally across the events and hospitality sectors, Tracie has developed a passion for spring boarding careers, creating dynamic and high performing staff and volunteer workforces, and delivering event legacy through strong partnerships.

Luana Cordeiro

Over her 10+ years of experience in the world of events, Luana has covered all areas of planning and operations, specifically in the area of logistics services. She has also worked on the business side of events, dealing with hospitality packages and sponsorship activation, making her one of the most well-rounded project managers.

Her forte is building the operation from the start and training the team, while she thrives on the dynamism of overseeing the whole project, ensuring that stakeholders are happy from the time they arrive until they leave for home.

Jasmin Simoneit-Eck

Jasmin has held the positions of event director and CEO of a sports club in the areas of venue management, sports operations, logistics and more. Her work in regional, national and international major sports events for different stakeholders from LOC and international federations to global sports and culture companies offers her an overview of the different requirements.

Since 2021 Jasmin has focused on inclusion through and in sports as CEO of a newly-founded sports club and venue in Germany, which is part of an official inclusion programme with the German National Olympic Federation.

Francesco Friri

Francesco is a versatile sport professional with ten years of extensive international experience spanning across Europe. His journey into sports commenced through volunteer work, underscoring his unwavering belief in the value of such experiences. His expertise extends to international relations and strategic development.

Francesco’s multilingual proficiency empowers him to engage effectively with diverse global communities in spreading the universal message of sport and well-being. Currently, he is the International Relations Manager at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Paco Biosca

Paco has 15 years of experience in the sports industry across some of the most prestigious multi-sport and single-sport events, managing multidisciplinary projects such as specialised planning, international relations, operations, services and conflict resolution in high stakes events.

His diverse background in journalism, sports management and management of complex projects allows him to have an overall view of any project from every perspective.

Andrew Hofer

With 19 years within the Olympic Movement, Andrew’s wealth of expertise in sports administration comes from his roles in various departments at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that include Games operations, International Federations (IF) Governance, and the political aspects of the Olympic Movement.

Andrew’s profound belief in the transformative power of sports drives his commitment to the field. He currently leads initiatives at the International Golf Federation, focusing on golf development, governance, and the growth of disabled golf around the world.