Dr. Iain Lindsay
Global Chief Operating Officer, Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA)
As SIGA’s Global Chief Operating Officer, Iain plays an integral role in the development and expansion of SIGA, the world`s largest coalition for sport integrity. He is a member of the SIGA Executive Committee and reports directly to the Global CEO on a variety of matters, including but not limited to global research, training and capacity building programmes. He plays a key role in the design, development and implementation of global projects, edits the Sport Integrity Journal and is responsible for a range of thought leadership outputs and initiatives. Across all of these he works closely with the SIGA global partners and wider network, and provides insight and strategic advice in relation to the development and implementation of SIGA deliverables.
Iain has recently overseen the succesful application for Erasmus+ funding to design and launch The Sport Transparency Index. This project, which began in 2023, will create the means to benchmark Sport against a set of Transparency Indicators and will provide the platform for knowledge exchange to enhance Integrity and Transparency accross Sport.
Iain Lindsay joined SIGA in 2019 after holding leadership roles in Global Sport Organisations. He holds a BSc, MSc and PhD and is an award-winning, multi-published author that has led and been involved in a diverse array of Sport related research projects and presented extensively on the international conference circuit.
Iain is also a member of the UNESCO Chair on Governance and Social Responsibility in Sport Steering Committee.
Katie Simmonds
Global Chief Commercial Officer, SIGA
Chair, SIGA Women
Katie Simmonds is an English qualified lawyer that specialises in sports law. As SIGA’s Global Chief Commercial Officer, she plays an integral role in the development and expansion of SIGA, the world`s largest coalition for sport integrity.
Katie is a member of SIGA’s Executive Committee and reports directly to the Global CEO on all legal and commercial matters. Katie is responsible for generating new members and partners to SIGA to support the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
As a sports governance expert, Katie is responsible for leading SIGA’s independent global audit team and supporting sports organisations that are adopting the SIGA Universal Standards on Sport Integrity and going through SIRVS – the world’s first ever independent rating and certification system for global sport – to usher a new culture of accountability and transparency into the industry.
More recently, Katie was appointed Chair of SIGAWomen and leads an elite Council. She curates and leads a global mentorship programme for aspiring female leaders in the industry to close the gender gap on the number of women represented in the decision-making structures of sports organisations. This includes delivering annual mentorship for 150 young women from around the world and organising a series of international SIGAWomen events.
In 2024 Katie was appointed as an INED at Basketball England and is passionate about supporting more women achieve board positions.
Nuno Perestrelo
Senior Director of Communication, Media & Thought Leadership Events
Nuno Perestrelo is a distinguished former senior journalist with nearly three decades of experience in sports journalism and leadership positions at prominent Portuguese newspapers. Transitioning to SIGA in 2021, Nuno embraced the mission of reforming sport with integrity. As Senior Director, he is responsible for internal and external communication, content production, press relations, media advisory, events management and production, and the development of the Media Partners project. Nuno plays a key role in promoting and organizing SIGA’s thought leadership events, including the Summit on Female Leadership, Sport Integrity Week, and the Expert Summit on Global Leadership and Anti-Corruption in Sport.
With extensive experience covering major sports events such as UEFA Euro 2004, FIFA World Cup 2006, and the Olympic Games in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016), Nuno brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. He holds certifications in “Communication in Football” from ISCTE – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa and Portugal Football School (Portuguese FA). He holds a Certificate of Pedagogical Competences (CCP), and is a Portuguese certified training provider.
Additionaly, Nuno serves as Vice-President of the Portuguese American Football Federation’s General Assembly.
Vinicius Sousa
Senior Director of International Cooperation & Strategic Partnerships (Americas), SIGA Global
Senior Director of Institutional Relations and Strategic Partnerships, SIGA LATIN AMERICA
Vinicius Sousa plays a crucial role in SIGA LATIN AMERICA’s and SIGA’s operations, focusing on governance, stakeholder engagement, and promoting Sport Integrity.
Holding a master’s degree in political action and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Vinicius has garnered significant experience with international organizations and public service. He has worked with the European Union Delegation to Brazil and the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth. As an adviser to the São Paulo City Hall, he was recognized for his contributions to personnel planning and recruitment innovations. Vinicius’s advocacy consulting experience has equipped him to support national and international organizations in promoting political and systemic changes.
In the field of institutional relations, Vinicius facilitates stakeholder engagement across civil society, government, and business sectors.
André Megale
Director, Good Governance and Integrity, SIGA LATIN AMERICA
André Megale is a seasoned legal professional with 20+ years of experience in corporate, compliance, and sports law, LL.B. from PUC-SP, MBA in sociology, management, and law of sports from top universities in UK, Italy, and Switzerland. He worked with local and international law firms, sports organizations, Brazilian corporations, and public sector. Assisted several entities in doing business in Brazil, supervised Brazilian capital markets, and structured major sports events such as FIFA World Cup and Conmebol America Cup, Experience includes serving as legal adviser for Brazilian Stock Exchange, attorney for Planning Secretariat of São Paulo State Government, and Governance and Compliance Director of Brazilian Football Confederation. André worked as legal coordinator of the European Leagues and currently serves as member of FIFA Football Tribunal and partner of Rondino, Megale Law Firm.
Francisco Melo
Chief of Global CEO’s Cabinet and Head of Administration and Membership Affairs
Francisco Melo is a dedicated professional with a strong background in law, holding a bachelor’s degree from Universidade Católica do Porto and a postgraduate qualification in Management and Organization in Professional Football. His passion lies in Sport Integrity and Governance, focusing on promoting transparency and ethical practices within professional sports.
Francisco was appointed Chief of Global CEO’s Cabinet and Head of Administration and Membership Affairs following a career kick-off as Executive Assitant to the Executive Committee, and a successful internship at SIGA. He is committed to advancing the principles of integrity and governance in the sports industry, utilizing his legal expertise and administrative acumen to support SIGA’s mission.
Ricardo Emanuel Silva
Art Direction & Digital Media Specialist Consultant, SIGA
Ricardo Silva is a highly experienced design and communication specialist with a career spanning over 20 years in editorial design, branding, and broadcast media. He has played a key role in shaping the visual identity of major media outlets, particularly in the sports and corporate sectors.
For two decades, Ricardo was a key figure at A BOLA, one of Portugal’s most renowned sports newspapers. Throughout his tenure, he contributed to editorial design, visual storytelling, and digital transformation. In the last five years, he served as Visual Graphic Director, leading the creative direction and modernization of the newspaper’s visual identity across print, digital, and broadcast platforms.
One of his most notable achievements was being the visual founder of A BOLA TV, where he developed the channel’s branding, broadcast graphics, and on-screen identity, establishing it as a major player in Portuguese sports television.
Beyond his industry work, Ricardo also spent five years as a professor of Graphic Arts, sharing his expertise in design principles, visual communication, and digital tools. His role in education allowed him to mentor future designers and contribute to the development of new creative talent.
With a strong background in Adobe tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, and Premiere Pro, Ricardo has mastered graphic design, motion graphics, and branding strategies. His expertise in sports media, corporate branding, and compliance allows him to create engaging and strategic visual content that enhances audience engagement and brand recognition.
Isabel Azevedo
Senior Advisor for Public and Private Partnerships, SIGA LATIN AMERICA
Emília Barbosa
Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors, SIGA EUROPE
Emília Barbosa is a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in sports marketing, event management, and human resources. She holds a degree in Advertising Engineering from the University Fernando Pessoa and has a strong legal background, including a postgraduate diploma in Sports Law from IDET – University of Coimbra. Emília is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French, adding valuable language skills to her international work. Over her 17-year career at Liga Portugal, she excelled across various departments, including Marketing, the President’s Support Office, Competitions, and Contract Registration. One of her cherished experiences was participating in Expo ’98, which enriched her global outlook and intercultural skills. Her experience in administrative affairs and project management now culminates in her role as Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors at SIGA EUROPE.