2024

As Head of Sustainability and Responsible Business at Club Atletico de Madrid since 2023, her aim is to integrate and deploy the Club Atletico de Madrid ‘s Sustainability Strategy within the business, with the goal of generating a positive social and environmental impact. Rocio has a PDD in Sustainable Finance, a master’s degree in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development at the United Nations University for Peace and she is part of the B Multipliers community. Professional with more than 6 years’ experience in Sustainability. Previously, Rocio worked for various third sector organizations and more than 10 years in finance departments in multinational environments in different countries.

Robert is an Assistant Principal in the Climate Engagement and Governance Division in the Department of Transport in Ireland. He leads a dynamic team focused on using behaviourally informed research to design, implement and evaluate public engagement programmes that facilitate the adoption of more sustainable transport choices.

The team’s scope extends beyond individual behavior change. It also provides capacity-building supports and guidelines for transport sector professionals who seek to align their strategies with evidence-based approaches and to better coordinate engagement programmes. Established in 2023, the team is rapidly consolidating its role as a trusted research unit with expertise in this area.

Robert’s background includes a recent Master’s degree in Public Policy from UCD, Ireland where he specialised in Behavioral Science. Prior to this, he accumulated over 10 years of experience in various Project Management, Business & IT Consulting and Public Sector roles.

Abigail Martín Maldonado is the Director of Sustainability & Development Projects of Euroleague Basketball, responsible for the planning and execution of the social responsibility and environmental projects of the company.

Abigail works at Euroleague since its founding in the year 2000, when she joined the Marketing area until 2005 when she became Events department director for a decade starting in 2005, leading the planning and execution of the events for EuroLeague and EuroCup, with the negotiation, planification and execution of the EuroLeague Final Fours being the most demanding and satisfying project from that period along with the evaluation of creative events’ opportunities in new markets.

In 2015 she took the opportunity to put her experience and knowledge to serve the growth of the corporate social responsibility of the company, initiating a journey to incorporate sustainability within the company’s business agenda to adjust to the United Nations Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainability Development Goals. Main projects include the company’s social program One Team being officially implemented by all EuroLeague and EuroCup clubs starting 2017 and the transition of the EuroLeague Final Four and the clubs to sustainability.

Marvin Pupping is a notable entrepreneur and creative director with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. He is the founder of Slinger, a company dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of transportation related to events.

Slinger, co-founded by Marvin Pupping and Mark de Vries in 2021, offers a ride-sharing widget designed to integrate seamlessly into event websites. This tool encourages attendees to carpool, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and travel costs. Major organizations, including Johan Cruijff ArenA, Live Nation and the KNVB, have embraced this initiative.

Marvin Pupping’s work demonstrates his commitment to creating sustainable, impactful solutions in both the creative and technological realms.

Iona Neilson is the Head of Climate Action at SailGP, leading on the decarbonization of the championship including carbon, CDP, ISO20121 reporting and much more.

Iona studied Geography at the University of Plymouth with a Certificate of Industrial Placement, recognising her year in the industry with McDonald’s UK and Costa Coffee in their respective Sustainability/Energy and Environment teams to help drive their corporate and operational sustainability ambitions.

Upon graduating, she worked for a small sustainability consultancy on sustainability communications/strategy/reporting and ISO 14001 Management Systems with large corporate clients. Before joining SailGP in June 2024, Iona led on environmental management, operations, compliance (ISO 20121) and the organisation’s Net Zero Carbon strategy at Formula E.

Ben works for DFL and leads the organization’s sustainability efforts regarding its 36 member clubs, based especially on club licensing and capacity development measures. Holding a doctorate in sport policy, he has gained over 15 years of professional experience working in various occupations across education, human rights, international relations, politics, sports and sustainable development.

Brittany Saulsbury is the Sustainability Operations Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter. With a keen focus on innovation and impact, Brittany leads comprehensive sustainability efforts spanning the Rose Quarter campus. Her strategic vision aims to not only reduce environmental footprints but also inspire sustainable practices among fans, forge strategic partnerships, and foster community engagement. Brittany is passionate about influencing change through the power of sports and working to promote a circular economy through innovative material management programs.

Warwick Waters is a seasoned and dynamic executive leader, with expertise in innovation, business development, strategic planning, and operational management. His robust career spans various leadership roles, including CEO of Swimming Victoria and COO of Life Saving Victoria, and is currently the Head of Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement at the Australian Olympic Committee AOC.

Over the past 24 months, Warwick has led the development of the AOC’s first Climate Action Plan and overseen the implementation of the business transformation that is taking place to ensure the AOC meets its obligation under the UN Sports For Climate Action Framework.

The AOC is also working with many of its Corporate Partners, Suppliers, and National Sporting Federation in a collaborative approach to addressing sports own race to take climate change and emission reduction targets.

Greg is a journalist, broadcaster, content maker and consultant primarily focussed on the intersection between popular culture and climate change. He contributes to outlets including The Guardian, BBC and NME.

He also founded and co-hosts the podcast Sounds Like A Plan which is all about the ways the music community is responding to the climate crisis. Passionate about climate storytelling and reporting, Greg is a contributing editor at the Oxford Climate Journalism Network based at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University – a programme that works with media professionals to improve coverage of the climate and ecological crisis across global media.

He’s a consultant with the communications charity Heard. Formerly digital editor at NME and music reporter for BBC Radio 1, he’s based near Cambridge, UK.