Tag Archives: MESGO alumni

MESGO Alumni gets together in Bucharest in the context of the UEFA Academy Summit

The MESGO Alumni Association got together in Bucharest on 22 September 2023, for their Annual General Assembly meeting.

A crucial part of the General Assembly is the committee election of board members, and the MESGO team is pleased to congratulate Kevin Ashby (MESGO IV graduate) on his re-election as President of the Alumni Association.

Kevin Ashby, President of the MESGO Alumni Association

The board is made up of the following members (from left to right):

  • Heidi Beha, Team Lead Development Programmes Europe, FIFA – MESGO IV
  • Kevin Ashby (President), Senior Digital Content Manager, UEFA – MESGO IV
  • Elisa Turrioni (Treasurer), Administrative and Organisational Manager, Bonzini – MESGO IV 
  • Robert Pongracz, Senior Director, Global account management, Football Events, IMG – MESGO II
  • Alex Gerontikos, VP Sales Europe, Sportradar – MESGO IV
  • Ciska du Plessis-Austin, Strategic Advisor and Acting VP Finances, Cycling South Africa – MESGO V (not in photo)

After the election of the committee board members, the objectives of the association were discussed. The key-note speaker, Răzvan Burleanu, President of the Romanian Football Federation and a MESGO IV graduate, then presented the plans of the Romanian Football Federation and spoke about the progress and the transformational path that has been taken to achieve success.

Răzvan Burleanu, President of the Romanian Football Federation

The Alumni association was created in 2015 to produce a formal network of top professionals in sports governance and ensure that knowledge sharing will continue between former MESGO participants.

A huge thank you to all the MESGO alumni who attended the meeting and looking forward to meeting you all again soon.

3 questions to Kenny Jean-Marie – MESGO III graduate

What’s new in your life since the end of MESGO III?
Just after my graduation I decided to leave the civil service and to create my own strategy consultancy in the sector of sports.
Leaving French administration was not so easy, after 18 years of service. However, once I had finished my last mission as coordinator of the security staff of the ministry of Interior during “Le Tour de France”, I was given the autorization to build KJM CONSEIL: my new sport lifestyle.

What did MESGO bring you?
MESGO has been a defining moment of my professional life.
Session after session I became more accurate, more precise and efficient in my work as political advisor.  But the main thing I will remember is the high level of the course’s speakers and participants. A tremendous “adventure of a lifetime”.

Any advice to give to MESGO IV participants?
Live this unique experience with a full involvement.
Not as students but really as a collective journey…you will see, the trip is really amazing with this spirit.

JM_KennyKenny Jean-Marie
Founder and President of KJM Conseil
Former Advisor to the French Prime Minister on youth, sport and associations
MESGO III Graduate