Celebrating women in sport: FIFA Master alumni making an impact

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise the individuals helping shape the future of the sports industry and to celebrate the impact women continue to make across the global game.

Across all of sport on and off the field of play, women play a vital and ever central role in shaping sport. Today the leadership, expertise and influence of female professionals across the globe continue to grow across every part of the global sports ecosystem.

Among those contributing to this progress are alumni of the FIFA Master – International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport – delivered by the CIES International Centre for Sports Studies. Since the first edition of the FIFA Master was launched, over 220 female students from around the world have graduated from the programme and are now working in the global sports industry. To mark International Women’s Day*, we are celebrating a selection of women from the FIFA Master alumni network who are making an impact across the global sports industry.

*It should be noted that although IWD is only held once a year, the themes of gender equality, women’s sport history, women in sport and female leadership are addressed during the full academic year of the FIFA Master and within all modules of the course held in Leicester, Milan and Neuchâtel.

Alumni Spotlight

Honey Thaljieh – Public Relations Manager, FIFA 

Honey Thaljieh has been a pioneering figure in women’s football in the Middle East. A former captain of the Palestine women’s national team and co-founder of the Palestinian women’s national programme, she has played an important role in advancing opportunities for women in the game. She joined FIFA as Public Relations Manager, where she works within the organisation’s communications team, helping shape global messaging around the sport and its development.

Rebecca Giordano – Senior Legal Counsel, New Zealand Rugby Players Association

Rebecca Giordano works at the intersection of law and elite sport, helping represent and protect professional rugby players in New Zealand. Her role navigating contracts, governance and player welfare highlights the growing importance of legal expertise in modern sport.

Verdiana Ciccone – Language Cluster Coordinator, Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic & Paralympic Games

Verdiana Ciccone is part of the organising team behind the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Her work supports international communication and coordination across athletes, officials and stakeholders from around the world.

Nihan Cabbaroglu Balaban – Sports Commentator & Director, VolleyVoice

Nihan Cabbaroglu Balaban has built a career spanning sports media, marketing and advocacy. Through her work with VolleyVoice and as a commentator, she contributes to expanding the visibility of volleyball and connecting audiences with the sport.

Isabella Burczak – Cycling for All & Sustainability Manager, UCI

At the Union Cycliste Internationale, Isabella Burczak leads initiatives focused on sustainability and inclusive participation in cycling. Her work promotes broader access to the sport while supporting environmental responsibility.

Violet Jubane – Women’s Football Consultant, COSAFA

Working with COSAFA, Violet Jubane contributes to the development of women’s football across Southern Africa. Her work supports opportunities for players while strengthening structures supporting the women’s game.

Neikelle Moore – Senior Director, Marketing Strategic Initiatives, FIFA World Cup 2026

Neikelle Moore contributes to fan engagement and marketing strategy around the FIFA World Cup 2026. Roles like hers help shape how global audiences experience the world’s biggest sporting events.

Charisse Bacchus – Sport Business Consultant & Founder, CB Management

Charisse Bacchus has built an international career across sports consultancy, governance and social impact. Through her work and foundation initiatives, she uses sport as a platform for community development.

Mongoljingoo Sodgerel – Chief Operations Officer, Barça Academy Mongolia

As COO of Barça Academy Mongolia, Mongoljingoo Sodgerel oversees operations of FC Barcelona’s youth development programme in the country, helping develop young football talent and expand access to elite coaching.

A reputation for change makers

The women here represent only a snapshot of the many professionals from the FIFA Master alumni network contributing and shaping sport globally. You can explore many more alumni stories in the CIES ‘Where Are They Now?’ series, which highlights the diverse careers FIFA Master graduates are building across the global sports ecosystem.

The careers of these alumni reflect the growing visibility and influence of women across the global sports industry. It is clear the central role women today play in shaping the future of sport and International Women’s Day offers an opportunity to celebrate these contributions and recognise the expertise, leadership and innovation women bring to the industry.